I am new to the game. Which route page should I read first?

Start here to learn the basic terms, then read Routes Overview for the bigger picture. After that, open Ridges and Camps Overview for terrain and landmark detail.

Is thin air the same on every route?

Thin air is a factor on all routes, but its intensity changes with elevation. Higher sections mean thinner air, regardless of which route you take.

Do I need to know all these terms before playing?

No. Jump in and climb. These terms help you read the wiki pages more effectively, but the game itself communicates through terrain and in-game feedback.

What is the difference between a ridge and a camp?

A ridge is terrain you climb — steep and exposed. A camp is a location you pass through, useful as a progress reference.

Does every route have the same set of features?

All routes involve ridges, camps, thin air, and weather. The specific arrangement, length, and difficulty of each feature varies by route.

Route Basics | K2 Climbing Simulator Wiki

Direct Answer

Route basics are the terms that help you read K2 Climbing Simulator pages: summit, ridges, camps, terrain and route pressure.

Terms To Know

Term	Meaning
Summit	The climb goal — the top of K2. Every route leads here.
Ridge	A climbable terrain feature. Ridges are the main ground you cover during a climb.
Camp	A route landmark. Camps help you describe how far you have climbed.
Thin air	A survival pressure during the climb. Increases with elevation and affects how long you can push.
Weather	Visibility and route-reading pressure. Changes over time and can make the terrain harder to read.
Route	The path you take up the mountain. A route connects ridges, camps, and the summit.
Traverse	A section where you move across the mountain rather than straight up. Requires steady camera control.
Exposure	A measure of how exposed the terrain feels. Higher exposure means more consequence for missteps.

How To Read Route Pages

Route pages use consistent language. Here is how to interpret shared phrases:

Phrase	What It Means
”Push upward”	Climb the next section without stopping.
”Route reading”	Looking ahead to identify the correct path through the terrain.
”Steady pacing”	Maintaining a consistent climbing speed rather than sprinting or making frequent stops.
”Stage of the climb”	Your current position relative to camps or the summit.

Route Terminology Quick Reference

Category	Terms
Landmarks	Summit, camp, ridge
Pressures	Thin air, weather, exposure
Actions	Push, traverse, climb, read
Navigation	Route line, terrain, stage

Practical Tips For New Players

Read Routes Overview first — it connects all the concepts into a single picture.
Then read Ridges and Camps Overview — these explain the two main things you will encounter on any climb.
Open specific route pages when you want details about a particular path up the mountain.
Use the glossary above whenever a page uses a term you have not seen before.

What Not To Assume

This page does not list a complete route order, named real-world routes or exact camp functions. Use it as a glossary, then open the specific route or camp entry.

Routes Overview - full route category
Ridges - ridge terrain
Camps Overview - camp landmarks