TWO Cumbrian climbers are attempting to scale the world's second highest mountain.

Pete Brittleton, from Kirkby Stephen, and Paul Etheridge, Windermere, are part of an eight-strong team who are taking on K2.

The expedition is being led by Di Gilbert, from Ambleside's Adventure Peaks, and is the first time a team of Brits has attempted to tackle K2 in 12 years.

Mr Etheridge, who holds a number of outdoor qualifications, has led expeditions throughout the UK, Europe, the jungles of Borneo and the Himalayas.

Pete Brittleton, a well-known fell runner, has previously climbed Mount Everest.

The group also includes 32-year-old Captain Jake Meyer, from Gloucestershire, who could become the youngest Brit to reach the top of K2.

Only eight other Brits have got to the top of K2 and three of them died on the descent.

Yorkshire mountaineer Alan Hinkes is one of the handful of Brits who has made it to the top and descended safely - a feat which he says he would not attempt to repeat.

"K2 is the gold medal, the first prize," said Mr Hinkes, who spends much of his time walking and climbing in the Lake District. "The first time I saw it I thought: 'This is the mountain for me'.

"But I would not go back to K2. It's that dangerous. Not even for six figures."

Mr Hinkes said that it is a more treacherous mountain than Everest because the weather conditions are more adverse, there is a higher risk of avalanches, and technically it is more difficult to climb.

"K2 is a calculated planned challenge and is about controlling a certain amount of risk," said Mr Hinkes, the only Briton to have climbed all 14 of the world's mountains over 8,000 metres high. "There's a certain amount of masochistic enjoyment there.

"I do feel privileged to have climbed K2. Good to luck to the team and I am sure they will have a fabulous time."

The group arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, on June 12 and have since met with the acting British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Patrick Moody.

Speaking to the mountaineers, he said: "It is a complete honour to meet such an incredible group of people.

"K2 is the second highest mountain in the world, but its inaccessibility, the technical requirements and the danger it presents, makes it the most prized trophy for the world's best mountaineers.

"The team's bravery, good humour and attitude before taking on this enormous challenge, is truly humbling.

"I am also very happy to see the re-emergence of Pakistan as a destination for the best mountain climbers in the world."