All Locations > International > S America > Brazil > Rio de Janeiro > Corcovado > E Face

K2

Name: K2
Rating: 3.6

5.9- YDS 5c French 17 Ewbanks VI UIAA 16 ZA HVS 4c British PG13

Routes in East Face

	K2 T 5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c PG13
	K3 T 5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b

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Type:	Trad, 500 ft (152 m), 4 pitches, Grade III
FA:	unknown
Page Views:	6,371 total · 46/month
Shared By:	Cissa Carvalho on Jan 15, 2014 · Updates
Admins:	Roberta Zouain, Matt Looby Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

K2 is one of the most classic routes in Rio de Janeiro, and probably the most classic in Corcovado.

Although not technically difficult, the route starts at 1800 feet above sea level and some sections are quite exposed. The initial dihedral is pretty technical with little room for finger locking, followed by a delicate traverse to the left on slab.

The next pitch is pretty delicate as well and exposed, protect it if you must with small cams. A harder variation of this pitch continues up the technical dihedral to its end where it rejoins K2. See the route K3 for more info ( mountainproject.com/route/2…)

Third pitch starts at another irregular dihedral with no fixed protection, at least a few nuts and cams are recommended at the beginning, and at an irregular crack near the plateau at the end of this pitch.

Fourth pitch is mainly a slab climb with 4 fixed protections. After finishing it, follow the trail upwards, jump over the fence and you'll be right under Christ the Redeemer statue with tourists usually clapping and taking pictures of you. Classic! (Keep your gear and rack out if you like the attention).

Location

The route is in the southeast face of the mountain, and the ideal time for climbing it is in the afternoon, when it is in the shade. Fast parties usually climb it in 2 hours.
Go to the visitor center, Centro de Visitantes Paineiras, by van shuttle or by car. From there you can get on the train tracks and walk for about 10 minutes. After passing a shack to the left, get on the asphalt road. After about 5 minutes of walking, you'll see a prominent curve. The trail starts here. Get on the trail and soon you'll be right next to the wall. When it ends, if you look up, you'll see a large dihedral. That's K2.
Once finished, take a free shuttle from the summit to the visitor center parking lot, and descend to the city from there.

Protection

Mostly fixed bolts, but it is advisable to take cams and nuts for added protection in some exposed areas on pitch 3, as well as if you take the variant on first pitch and climb the whole dihedral at the start. Double bolted anchors at all stations.