Ardito Desio facts for kids
Count Ardito Desio (born April 18, 1897 – died December 12, 2001) was an amazing Italian explorer, mountain climber, geologist, and cartographer (map-maker). He was famous for leading the first successful climb of K2, the world's second-highest mountain. Desio lived to be 104 years old and spent his life exploring mountains and deserts around the world.
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Early Life and Learning
Ardito Desio was born in Palmanova, Italy. He loved learning about nature and went to the University of Florence. There, he studied Natural Sciences, focusing on geology (the study of Earth's rocks and soil). He also served in the military during World War I.
After university, Desio continued his geology studies. He became a professor of geology at the University of Milan. He also worked as a geology expert for companies building hydroelectric plants (power plants using water) in many countries like Italy, Spain, and Brazil.
Exploring Mountains in Europe
Desio started his adventures close to home. In 1920, he began studying the geology of the Alps and Apennines mountain ranges in Italy. The next year, he explored the Dodecanese Islands in Greece. He even wrote a book about the geology of these islands.
Exploring Deserts and Mountains in Africa
In 1926, Desio led an expedition to the Libyan Desert in Africa. He studied the geography and geology of the area. The results of his research were published in several books.
From 1930 to 1933, he led more expeditions across Libya. This included a long journey across the Sahara desert by camel! He explored areas like Fezzan and the Tibesti mountains.
Discoveries in Libya
Between 1936 and 1940, Desio directed the Libyan Geological Survey. His team looked for valuable resources. In 1938, he made an important discovery: natural oil deep underground in Libya. He also found useful minerals and underground water sources. These water sources helped farmers grow more crops in northern Libya. However, World War II stopped further exploration.
Exploring Ethiopia
In 1937 and 1938, Desio explored parts of eastern Ethiopia. He studied the geology and looked for minerals. He found new deposits of gold and molybdenite (a mineral used in steel).
Exploring Mountains in Asia
Desio's most famous explorations were in Asia.
First Trip to Karakoram
In 1929, he joined an Italian expedition to the Karakoram mountain range. This range is in what is now northern Pakistan. Desio studied the geology of the huge Baltoro Glacier and other areas. He even climbed the Conway Pass for the first time.
Climbing in Iran
In 1933, Desio led an expedition to Iran. His team climbed some of the highest peaks in the Zagros Range. They also found a new way to climb Mount Damāvand, Iran's highest mountain (5,610 meters or about 18,400 feet).
Conquering K2
From 1952 to 1955, Ardito Desio led three expeditions to the Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountains. The second expedition was the most important. In 1954, his team made the first successful climb of K2! K2 is 8,611 meters (about 28,251 feet) high and is the second-highest peak in the world. This was a huge achievement in mountain climbing history.
Later Asian Expeditions
Desio continued his geological work in Asia. In 1961, he explored Afghanistan. In 1962, he returned to the Karakoram range to study more glaciers and valleys. He also did geological work in Burma (now Myanmar) and the Philippines. In the 1970s, he led more expeditions in northern Pakistan.
In 1980, Desio visited Tibet with Chinese scientists.
The Everest Pyramid
In 1989, when he was 92 years old, Desio had a brilliant idea. He designed and built a special scientific laboratory. It was a pyramid-shaped structure made of glass and aluminum. This "Pyramid" was placed at 5,050 meters (about 16,500 feet) at the base of Mount Everest. Its goal was to allow scientists to study many things at high altitudes. The "Pyramid" is still there and still used for research today!
Exploring Antarctica
In 1961, Desio was invited to visit Antarctica. He explored several research stations, including McMurdo Station and the Amundsen-Scott station at the South Pole. He also visited the unique Dry Valleys in Victoria Land.
Awards and Honors
Ardito Desio was a highly respected scientist. He was the president of the Geological Committee of Italy and the Italian Order of Geologists. He was also a member of the Italian National Academy of Lincei, a very important scientific group. He received an honorary degree in Geological Sciences in 1985.
Final Years
Ardito Desio spent his last four years in Rome. He passed away in December 2001, at the amazing age of 104. He is buried in his hometown of Palmanova.
See Also
In Spanish: Ardito Desio para niños
