Trekking in the Karakoram

Book excerpt: A guidebook to 3 high-altitude treks in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountains, plus 2 shorter routes on the flanks of Nanga Parbat in the neighbouring Himalaya. With the exception of the Fairy Meadows trek, all the routes are strenuous and are recommended for experienced trekkers. The guide includes 3 treks of 12 days each (excluding rest days): Biafo to Hispar via Snow Lake; a K2 Base Camp Trek; and a crossing of Gondogoro La. The Nanga Parbat routes visit Fairy Meadows (3 days) and Diamir or West Face (5 days). Route description illustrated with 1:100,000 mapping and elevation profiles Advice on planning and preparation, including trek operators Safety considerations History of mountaineering and exploration in the Karakoram Offers views of 5 of the world’s 8000m peaks