The formidable spur of the north side of K2 rises 5000 metres to an altitude of 8600 metres. The altitude and splendid pure form of this natural pyramid make it the most magnificent mountain in the world. Tazieff emphasizes the team spirit and the organizational ability that should be considered particularly today when mass media and economic interests unfortunately often turn mountaineers into sandwich men and they become rivals instead of the joint members of a team. Tdoay's top grade mountaineer is mutation of the past mountaineer.