If the climb was exhausting, the descent is long and even more dangerous. The Italian expedition finally leaves K2 and the base camp and soon discovers that the entire world is celebrating them as heroes. Their return to Italy is a triumphant celebration: all Italians are suddenly experts on mountain climbing, while books and movies about the climb are wildly successful. Seventy years later, K2 remains a legendary tale for all mountain climbers, and inspires hundreds of people each year to attempt the climb.