Pakistan is a land where one can find mesmerizing and bewitching landscapes, surrounded by Karakoram Mountain in the north and Arabian Sea in the South. There are deserts, plateaus, plains, forests, and how can we forget about the mountains, known to be the world’s tallest and the top mountaineering destinations in Pakistan.
It brings challengers together to the world’s most challenging destination for mountaineering. Among the world’s tallest mountains, 5 are found here that are the top mountaineering destinations in Pakistan: K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II, with an altitude of more than 8,000 meters (26,200 feet). They are among the top mountaineering destinations in Pakistan and also in the world.
The four highest peaks of the country among the top five are located within a stretch of 25 kilometres in the Karakoram range of Pakistan. The 5th one, that is Nanga Parbat, is located 200 km away in Diamir. Any expedition to Pakistan may take at least one month because most of the mountains are very remote.
But Pakistan’s mountaineering opportunities extend far beyond the eight-thousand-meter peaks. There are countless other mountains to climb too. They range from accessible peaks to the most challenging ones as well, suiting both beginners and professionals. Some mountain routes require technical skills and experience; summiting them can give an unparalleled reward of a lifetime. Thus why, adrenaline seekers from all around the world fly over to Pakistan just to immerse themselves in the lifetime experience.
Top Mountaineering Destinations in Pakistan
Here are the top mountaineering destinations in Pakistan that one should definitely opt for!
K2
Quick facts:
- Elevation: 8,611 m (28,251 ft)
- Standing: 2nd Highest in the World
- Location: Concordia, Gilgit-Baltistan
K2 is known as the most savage and second tallest mountain in Pakistan, situated in the heart of the Karakoram Range and is perhaps the most dangerous mountain to climb. It is named Savage Mountain by American Mountaineer George Bell. Because, according to him, the mountain tries to kill you.
There have been very few people who challenged this mighty mountain, and the fatalities are many more from the ones who tried to climb it but failed and went into life-threatening conditions. It is not an easy job for everyone to climb K2 because it poses dangerous challenges of rock, snow and ice climbing all along the way. The ridgelines and rock faces challenge ordinary men with their harshness, and the long steeps are sometimes impossible for them to climb.
But despite the dangerous roadways and rocky terrains, the enthusiastic climbers seek the mighty mountain and attempt the summit. And the reward is indeed worth the arduous journey when they stand at the mountain’s crown.
The first route to be successfully climbed was the Abruzzi Spur, which is now used as three-quarters of the ascent of the peak. The route connects from the southeast ridge of K2 and takes the climbers up to the top from 5,400 meters.
There are a lot of challenges that climbers face during their climb towards K2 and some of the challenges are the high rock climbing portions that are rough and deep, the rocky ribs and ice field etc are all the possible challenges that one can face while climbing K2.
Yet, a lot of climbers have successfully climbed the mountain and joined the elite group of 377 other climbers that managed to conquer this mighty mountain.
Read this complete guide about K2 to know more about the King of Mountains, K2.
Nanga Parbat:
Quick facts:
- Elevation: 8,125 m (26,657 ft)
- Standing: 9th Highest in the World
- Location: Diamir, Gilgit-Baltistan
Nanga Parbat is the second-highest peak in Pakistan and the ninth tallest on Earth, situated in the Diamir district, western Himalayas in Gilgit-Baltistan, above the most famous Fairy meadows.
Nanga Parbat is considered less dangerous than K2, yet it still poses to be a challenge for the climbers. The peak is both dangerous and beautiful, with some mind-blowing and mesmerizing scenes that other mountains may never possess.
The first daring ascent was made by Australian climber Hermann Buhl in 1953, who made that expedition solo.
Buhl climbed the mountain and took the main route from Nanga Parbat’s summit. There are more challenging routes; even the easiest ones have rocky mountains and very rough terrains.
Read this complete guide about Nanga Parbat to know more about the Killer Mountain.
Gasherbrum I:
Quick facts:
- Elevation: 8,080 metres (26,510 feet)
- Standing: 11th Highest in the World
- Location: Concordia, Gilgit-Baltistan
Gasherbrum I is the eleventh-highest peak in the world and the tallest of the six Gasherbrum peaks. It is located 25 kilometres southeast of K2, also known as the Hidden Peak due to its remote location. There is a long and challenging trek of multiple days required just to reach its base camp.
Its location has made it hard for climbers to attempt for its expedition. Moreover, the lack of contact and connection with the world has made Gasherbrum I the most pristine mountain on earth.
Gasherbrum I does not have a common route because it rarely climbed. But the northwest and south ridges are the most popular routes.
Read this complete guide about Gasherbrum I to know more about the hidden peak.
Broad Peak:
Quick facts:
- Elevation: 8,051 metres (26,414 feet)
- Standing: 12th Highest in the World
- Location: Concordia, Gilgit-Baltistan
It is the twelfth tallest mountain in the world, situated on the Western edge of Baltoro Glacier, in the shadows of K2. The western side of the Gasherbrum has this mountain, and it stands out from its neighbouring peaks because of its massive plateau. The plateau measures more than 1.5 kilometres. This peak is considered one of the easiest to climb from the 8000ers and is used as a warm-up peak for those climbers seeking to climb K2. The west ridge is the most commonly taken route towards the Broad Ridge peak.
Read this complete guide about Broad Peak to know more about the mountain.
Gasherbrum II:
Quick facts:
- Elevation: 8,034 m (26,358 ft)
- Standing: 2nd Highest in the World
- Location: Concordia, Gilgit-Baltistan
Gasherbrum II stands as the 13th highest mountain in the world. It is situated just six kilometers (3.5 miles) north to Gasherbrum I.
It is the most popular climbing location of Pakistan and is also considered the easy to climb in the 8000ers. The approach towards Gasherbrum II is very beautiful and full of scenic views, along with challenging terrains and routes. Thus, this all makes the base camp a very popular stop for trekkers.
Gasherbrum II is technically less difficult to climb as compared to its neighboring peaks, and if less steep as well. There are still challenges that one need to overcome while we go for trek towards the Gasherbrum.
During the climbing season, climbers install fixed ropes and spikes on the Southwest Ridge, the most commonly used and easiest route for Gasherbrum II.
Read this complete guide about Gasherbrum II to know more about the mountain.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Pakistan has an array of high mountain peaks, each providing its own qualities, beauty and challenges and a separate kind of charm for the mountaineers. Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, K2, and Nanga Parbat are among the ones that are very famous and renowned in the Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges.
These towering peaks and mountains continue to inspire a lot of climbers and motivate them to attempt these top mountaineering destinations in Pakistan.