This trek leads into the heart of the Karakoram, the “throne room of the mountain goods“ (Galen Rowell), “the most marvellous mountain landscape on earth“ (G.O. Dyhrenfurth). Getting to Concordia (about 70 km) takes about 7 or 8 days, getting back to Askole maybe 5 or 6 days. Trekkers have to walk between 3 and 7 hours daily.
From Askole the path first runs along the Braldo river, until shortly after Payu the Baltoro glacier is reached. After crossing the glacier, you follow it on its true left side until you get to Urdukas, a flower meadow from where you have a unique view of the surrounding mountains (Broad Peak, Trango Towers, Uli Biaho, Cathedral, among others). From then on you stay on the Baltoro which for the most part is covered with debris so that you hardly ever walk on ice. The scenery gets more and more breath-taking: wherever you look, giant rock and ice pyramids, of which Masherbrum, Muztagh Tower and Gasherbrum IV are the highest and the most striking, tower up. Having reached Concordia you can admire K 2 in all its majesty. From here you can walk to K 2 base camp and back in one day.
From Concordia you follow the Baltoro in a southern direction and then turn into the Vigne glacier on which you stay until you get to Ali Camp, the last camp before crossing the Gondogoro La (5940m). From the col you have a view of four 8000- metre peaks: K 2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. The descent on the other side is partly protected by wire ropes.
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| K.2 Concorda Gondogoro La trek |
DAY BY DAY PROGRAMS OF THE TREK:
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Day 1: Arrival in Islamabad, briefing at Ministry of Tourism
Day 2: Flight to Skardu, or (if the weather is bad) bus to Chilas on the Karakorum Highway (about 12 hours travelling time).
Day 3: Sight-seeing in Skardu (bazaar, Satpara Lake, Kachura Lake), or bus from Chilas to Skardu (about 8 hours).
Day 4: By jeep to Askole in the Braldo Valley (about 7 hours)
Day 5: Start of trek; camp at Korophon
Day 6: Trek to Jolla Bridge (strong trekkers can walk here directly from Askole and thus win a day)
Day 7: Trek to Payu
Day 8: Rest day in Payu for acclimatisation (optional)
Day 9: Trek to Urdukas
Day 10: Trek to Goro II (this camp is on the glacier)
Day 11: Trek to Concordia
Day 12: Concordia (with the option of visiting the base camps of K 2, Gasherbrum I and II)
Day 13: Trek to Ali Camp
Day 14: Crossing of Gondogoro La, Trek to Khuspang
Day 15: Trek to Daltsampa
Day 16: Trek to Saicho
Day 17: Tek to Hushe
Day 18: By jeep to Skardu
Day 19: Flight to Islamabad or bus to Chilas
Day 20: Sight-seeing in Islamabad or bus from Chilas to Islamabad; debriefing at Ministry
Day 21: Return flight
SHIPTON TREKS AND EXPEDITION PAKISTAN
THE HOST OF BALTORO
Trekking & Climbing Expedition in Pakistan
www.shipton-trekking.com
www.himalaya-karakorum-hilfe.com
