Desio, Ardito

▪ 2002

      Italian geologist and explorer (b. April. 18, 1897, Palmanova, Italy—d. Dec. 12, 2001, Rome, Italy), led the first successful expedition to scale K2, the world's second tallest mountain; he did not make the final assault to the peak, however, owing to his age. The 1954 feat was largely attributed to his meticulous planning and disciplined military strategy. During World War I Desio served as lieutenant of the Alpine Troops. He later attended the University of Florence, where he studied natural sciences; he then began what became a lifetime post as a professor at the University of Milan. Desio was the author of more than 400 geologic publications. He served as president (1966–73) of the Italian Geological Committee and was the recipient of numerous honours related to the 1954 climb. Desio traveled extensively; he led scientific expeditions in Africa, the Middle and Near East, and Antarctica. He was credited with the discovery of the first deposits of natural oil and gas in Libya (1939) and with having been the first Italian to reach the South Pole (1962). His book Ascent of K2 (1955) was translated into 11 languages.

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