K2 Mountain (Deadly and savage)
The most famous trekking route in the world is K2 base camp, a strenuous and demanding but rewarding as well..Hi everyone, This summer June,2014 we went to trek K2 base camp with 22 participants from all over Pakistan. we all first met in Islamabad, and then same day we left for Skardu via KKH.. Total drive time from Islamabad to Skardu is 22-24 hours. Though I always suggest taking flight if possible as it takes 1 hour and takes you close to some grand mountains.
Skardu is at an altitude of nearly 2,500 m (8,200 ft). The town is surrounded by grey-brown coloured mountains, which hide the 8,000 metre peaks of the nearby Karakoram range. There are three lakes in the vicinity: Upper Kachura lake, Lower Kachura Lake,and Sadpara Lake.
The whole journey is full of scenic views, We reached Skardu in evening and went to Baltistan continental, which is reasonable with humble but satisfying service of food and cleanliness, where Mr Raza Gilgiti,
The General Manager of Baltistan Continental welcomed us.. He is with an interpersonal skills, to keep guests and employees happy. He helps to greet and register guests and handle their problems. He has to approach guest concerns with patience, tact and understanding, even in stressful situations. He also has to motivate employees to do their jobs well, which requires leadership talent and a knack for understanding problems and resolving conflicts... Clients join him as a Guest and end up as a family ... He is A Multitasker, oversee guest relations, the front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, finances and staff development... All organizational skills gifted from his Father Mohammad Jamal Khan.. ( MD of Baltistan Continental Hotel.. After taking a rest we went to market..
Next day We took early morning jeeps to reach Askole which is the last village on the trek to K2 base camp..
The road to Askole comes undergoing rapid erosion and gets closed quite often. If unable to jeep, the group disembark & walk to Askole on the same day and camp for overnight (subject to distance)..
On our way to Askoli, locked my eyes with this little kid, I smiled at his innocence and joy and was rewarded with an amazing smile in return. My friend Ghalib Hasnain had time to raise his camera and take the shot.. A moment in time never to be forgotten..
When kids try their hands at working somewhere but their age is to play and enjoy laughter, the result is illiteracy but this Kid go to school daily have a great handwriting too, love to work with his father and brother and too shy to face the camera..
Still, it was an interesting day as we traveled up the Braldu River (which heads towards K2). This area is so full of history - the Braldu is the access point for more extreme climbing than anywhere else on earth; and as we walked up the track we thought of all the people who had gone before us, and all the significant achievements and adventures which were in front of them... This incident happened a day before we reach to Braldu River, 3 people jump from the jeep and got injuries...Locals said Braldu River took so many lives in past..well we were lucky to reach skardu after 6 hours of jeep ride..
Askoli is a beautiful village and also has a camping site,
Trek starts with green fields opening up to small up downs full of rocks and then a large plane leading to lunch site called Korofong which is full of green trees and cold water stream making it beautiful place. It took us 4 hours to reach there and 5 more hours to reach our camp site Jhola. Second half of trek was narrow trek along the river on right and mountains on left. Jhola camp site has washrooms where you can even take bath with cold water if you like it though, I suggest always taking health in most consideration before any such action..
Jhula Camping site
Second day of trek starts with rocks and all the way ups downs which sometimes make you feel crazy as each up looks the last one whereas it is never the last one here. Lunch place is 4 hours away, Bardumal also called Two rooms place stands out as there is no green patch here, just took lunch here before take the last part of day’s trek of 4 hours which ends at Paiju camp site. This camp site is green with wash rooms little away from tents but this is beautiful place as all the groups stop here and take next day off before glacier starts. We had goat with this to be cut here and enjoy meet.
All porters get together here and sing balti songs here that sound so sweet and makes you feel that you can understand each word they are singing. Rest day is all about meeting other groups, enjoying food and sharing experiences.
First TEST SHOT of stars at Payu, My friend Ghalib Hasnain standing in it with head torch - weather was overcast through out the trip.It was few minutes of joy p ... final shot will be uploaded in my travelogue, I am working on it from day one as I reach home after the trip...
Fourth day is the longest day of trek as glacier starts after one hour of trek, its Baltoro glacier which the biggest glacier outside poles and can be seen from space. After 6 hours of rocky and up down trek we reached Khuburche which is lunch place. There is a small shop here too for tea and cold drinks. Rest place is little higher than trek which gives you good view of your team coming behind you if you are first one to reach. We were lucky enough to meet a climber who had just finished climbing of all 8000 meters plus peaks. Left quickly for remaining part of trek to reach camp site before sun set. This camp site is called Urdukus which means Sad Rock as there is a big rock there which looks sad for some reason not known to anyone. You get the first glimpse of K2 from here but only possible if weather is clear.
After Urdukas, we went to Goro II, A long walk on the icy Baltoro Glacier.
Goro II which was our camp site for the day. Everyone was excited as next day we were going to reach Concordia
After an early breakfast, resume a long walk on the Baltoro Glacier to a point called Concordia - a huge junction of Baltoro, Abruzzi & Godwin Austin Glaciers at 4000 meters. Within a short radius of 15 Kilometers, stand 41 peaks over 6500 meters. Including 04 peaks above 8000 M. The 360 view offers a panorama of peaks nowhere to be found on this Earth. as soon as we reached concordia, we looked in the direction of K2 but clouds cover it all the time like a beauty queen covering her face. One the right of K2 is broad peak which is above 8000 meters and also very breathtaking.. Members were free to explore K2 base (A day trip 4 hrs up 3 hrs down) after an early breakfast, resume your walk to K2 Base Camp..
K2 stands so proud with steep slopes giving it look to die for. We could not stop look at its summit. Always drink a lot of water along the whole trek as some people do suffer high altitude sickness here and onwards. Overall, we had a really good time in the mountains. The guide and the team were really helpful, they supported us whenever we needed extra time. They also offered to carry our daypacks. Without the very helpful guide and the rest of the staff we wouldn't have made it..
