SKARDU, July 27: A joint Italian-Spanish expedition team on Monday scaled K-2 peak to celebrate the golden jubilee of its first conquest. The team is being led by Mr Khomitto

Shahid Hussain, a local tourist operator, said that five Italian and four Spanish climbers scaled the 8,611-metre (28,416ft) peak, second highest in the world, at 5am on Monday.

"Members of the expedition were anxious to scale the peak this year to mark the golden jubilee of the first ascent of K-2. Thus, after conquering the peaks of K-2, the climbers are expressing much pleasure," he added.

He said that another Italian expedition team, led by Kary Cabbler, had also reached the 'camp 4' of K-2 and they would also attempt to scale the summit at 4am on Wednesday.