IT MAY be smaller than Everest, but K2, the world’s second tallest mountain, is far more deadly.

That is something reservist army Captain Jake Meyer will know as he arrives at the bottom of the 8,611metre “Savage Mountain” and prepares to scale its side.

If the Cirencester man makes it the summit he will join the eight other Brits who have achieved the feat, three of whom died on the descent.

And, at 32, he could also become the youngest Brit to fly his flag atop the mountain - though with several other parties vying for the top, he could be pipped to the post.

The mountain has a fearsome reputation that is well deserved, as on average one person dies for every four who make it to the top.

Jake is second in command of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Squadron in Somerford Road, Cirencester, but his journey into mountains began much earlier.

He cut his teeth climbing on the Swanage cliffs at the age of 12, before he caught the bug at Marlborough College, deciding to peruse the mammoth challenge of becoming the youngest person to scale the highest point on every continent.

This led him to become the youngest Brit at the time to scale Everest, before an attempt on K2 in 2009.

“I turned back at about 7,700metres, so about 900 vertical metres from the top. That doesn’t sound far but it’s a significant distance," he said.

“In the end that year no one summited at all - and one person died.”

But Jake, who has a young daughter and is expecting another baby soon, has not been deterred, and will set off on June 11 for his expedition with plans to return on August 20.

He explained he had a “very understanding employer”.

Jake’s efforts have caught the attention of the Cotswold barristers CEO Carla Morris Papps, a new recent recruit to Jake's Cirencester squadron.

The Cheltenham-based company have teamed up with Jake as sponsors his K2 expedition.

Jake said: "To attempt an expedition to a mountain such as K2 is a huge undertaking and I am so proud and appreciative that Cotswold Barristers are able to help support the trip."

Carla said Cotswold Barristers were "proud to support" Jake.

"We celebrate his mental strength and physical courage, and we have no doubt that he will succeed in this extraordinary challenge”, she added. “Upon his return we are organising a post expedition talk at Westonbirt School for people and business to come and hear about his adventures.”

Jake is fundraising for charity Walking With The Wounded, which provides support to ex-service men and women who are making the difficult transition into civilian life after leaving the military.