Great article – except there are no trustworthy sources cited.
Checked out website for Count Ardito Desio, but no mention there or on wikipedia (which would also need citation):
http://www.arditodesio.it/
nothing when searching on heights claimed for everest and ks (29,078 and 28,238)
nothing when searching google – your url comes first: 29,078 28,238 everest k2 - Google Search
help! (respectfully)
LINK TO STAFF REPORT: Which is taller, Mt. Everest or K2? - The Straight Dope
If you search on
“Ardito Desio” everest k2
you’ll get better hits. I don’t know when this column appeared, but the expedition was in 1987, before the Web.