Italian expeditions
The 1909 Expedition
The expedition of 1909 led by Luigi Amedeo di Savoia, Duke of Abruzzi has, as a main goal, to climb K2. Vittorio Sella also participates, as a photographer. The group cannot reach the top, but they find the route along the south-east spur of the mountain (later called the Abruzzi Spur). In an attempt close to the Bride Peak the expedition reaches 7493 m above sea level and sets the record for the height of the time.
Numerous scientific data are also gathered and, thanks to the work of Vittorio Sella and his assistant Erminio Botta, the first precious photographs in the area were taken.
Itinerary of the expedition in 1909
The 1929 Expedition
The expedition to the Karakorum Region of 1929 has as its initial objective to climb the summit of K2, but because of the the controversy that arose following the tragic epilogue of the Umberto Nobile airship with Italy, the intentions are modified and reduced. So the expedition led by Aimone di Savoia, Duke of Spoleto has just geographical objectives and aims to explore the basin of the Baltoro glacier and explore the valley Shaksgan, a geographical problem left unresolved from previous explorations. The shipment involves 12 Italians, including the geologist Ardito Desio and Massimo Terzano, photographer and cameraman, who besides taking photos also makes a documentary.
The 1954 Expedition
After a survey in 1953 by Ardito Desio and Riccardo Cassin, in 1954 a new Italian expedition led by the geologist Ardito Desio, leaves for K2 with mountaneering and scientific intentions: to reach the summit of K2 and continue the scientific research undertaken by previous expeditions. Included in the expidition are scientists, mountain climbers, a doctor and the cameramen Mario Fantin, cameraman Mario Fantin, who undertakes the photographic and video documentation. On July 31 the climbers Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli reach along the south-east (of the Abruzzi Spur) the summit of K2, unviolated until then.
