Esin Handal inspires in Ingolstadt: K2 climber about her adventures!

Esin Handal inspires in Ingolstadt: K2 climber about her adventures!

In the colorful backdrop of the Mozaik Turkish Cultural and Educational Association in Ingolstadt, Esin Handal caused a real sensation with her impressive descriptions of extreme mountain tours and personal triumphs. At the event on November 8, 2025, she spoke about her experiences and challenges climbing the legendary K2, the second highest mountain in the world at 8,611 meters, which she finally conquered on August 11, 2025. It's not for nothing that the mountain is considered one of the most dangerous in the world - only 298 people were able to climb it, and around 80 climbers lost their lives in the process.

Handal is no stranger to the mountaineering community, as she already made a name for herself in 2019 when she was the first Turkish and first German woman to be awarded the title “Kar Leopari”. This prestigious title is awarded by the Russian Mountaineering Association to those who have climbed all five peaks over 7,000 meters in the former Soviet territory. Handal shared how she struggled with extreme weather conditions, rock falls and even food poisoning during her climb of K2.

Challenges on K2

“K2 is not like Mount Everest,” Handal explained, highlighting the technical challenges of the climb. Especially the infamous “bottleneck”, which has a gradient of 45 to 50 degrees, and the extremely steep ice walls make this peak so dangerous. The weather conditions are unpredictable and the death rate on K2 is around 25%, while on Mount Everest it is only 4-5%. “That makes the success rate of only around 26.8% all the more remarkable,” says Kletterinsel.

Despite all odds, Handal had managed to complete her mission. The plan was to hoist the Turkish and German flags at the top, but an avalanche swept away the equipment. “I wore a badge with the flags on my clothes and had a photo taken,” she said, recounting the cold — so cold that her phone and camera froze.

A moving experience

Handal's lecture not only offered a deep insight into the world of mountaineering, but also into the topics of willpower, discipline and dealing with personal limits. The audience in Ingolstadt rewarded their stories with long-lasting applause, true to the motto “Who dares, wins”. The experiences she shared reflect the challenges many mountaineers experience, especially on K2, where over 100 high-altitude climbers reached the summit in 2022.

In conclusion, Esin Handal is considered an inspiration who shows that even the highest mountains can be climbed with enough determination. Their daring climb to the summit experience is a powerful example of what is possible when you are willing to fight against all odds and reach new heights. It is to be hoped that their stories will motivate many more people to test their own limits and dare to go on adventures.