Looks like it's even harder to climb Everest's near-by companion:

Helicopters have begun airlifting climbers stranded on the world's second-highest mountain, K2, in north Pakistan, reports say.

News agency Reuters said rescuers had reached two Dutch members of the group, 11 of whom are feared dead.
...
The fatality rate for those who reach the summit at 27% is about three times higher than that for Mount Everest.

I'd be interested to know the percentage of people who make the summit vs. the number who try. That way we could tell if you're more likely to die than to succeed.

Which is why I only watch them try on the Discovery channel!