Pakistan – Karakoram, Baltoro, Gondogoro, 2004
The trek in Karakoram in Pakistan was planned as an acclimatization before climbing Mustagh Ata (7 546 m) in Pamir in China.
From Skardu (2 000 m) we travelled by jeeps to Ascole village (3 000 m), from there it is possible to continue only on foot.
The trek followed Baltoro Glacier valley Noth West through Jhula (3 150 m), Bardumal (3 250 m), Paju (3 380 m), Liligo (3 777 m), Urdokas (4 064 m), Biange Gore (4 150 m), Gore (4 450 m) up to Concordia. Concordia (4 555 m) is a vast confluence of two large glaciers: Godwin Austen Glacier and Upper Baltoro Glacier, which are joined by three other minor glaciers: Broad Peak Glacier, West Gasherbrum Glacier and Vigne Glacier. The highest mountains of this area can be seen from Concordia: the 2nd highest mountain in the world Mt. Godwin Austen, known mainly by the name K2 (8 611 m), Broad Peak (8 047 m), Gasherbrum IV (7 980 m), Gasherbrum III (7 952 m), Gasherbrum II (8 035 m) and Gasherbrum I also known as Hidden Peak (8 068 m).
We continued along the Vigne Glacier East up to Ali camp (5 100 m). At night we have crossed the Gondogoro La at 5 650 m and descended to the adjacent valley on to the Gondogoro Glacier.
We followed the Gondogoro Glacier South West through Khapalu (4 900 m) and Saitcko (3 430 m) to Hushe village (3 050 m). From there we continued by jeeps back to Skardu.
During the trek we have walked 100 km in eight days, even though this trek is usually plannned for two weeks. The lowest temperature reached minus 15 oC at Gondohgoro La, the highest temperature was 34 oC in the valley above Hushe village.
