Training expedition in the Karakorum, Pakistan. You only need 21 days and a good level of mountaineering. A training and exploration expedition on several peaks of up to 6,400m in the Mashebrum area. Learn by doing an authentic expedition with views of K2!
From 3.500€
For those who want to introduce themselves to the great peaks of the Karakorum and the Himalayas outside of commercial expeditions, we have created this “KARAKORUM ALPINE SCHOOL”.
Starting from the town of Hushe, the end point of the K2 expeditions and the Baltoro trek, we will set up our base camp at the foot of Masherbrum (K1), one of the most beautiful and difficult mountains to climb on earth. From here we will do several activities in the valley and nearby valleys. Our main objective will be the Cathedral Peak (Masherbrum II) at 6,400m and which has been climbed very few times. An ideal mountain to introduce yourself to the world of mountaineering in the great mountains of the Karakorum and the Himalayas. Some of the mountains we will explore are virgin and several with the possibility of opening new routes of all difficulties even with skis.
We manage all the logistics up to the base camp. The different teams can seek different objectives at the level of each one or unite to achieve a common objective. Always with total autonomy, without fixed ropes or height carriers and at all times coordinated and advised by Jordi Tosas and our team from Pakistan.
Day 1 and 2
Arrival in Islamabad. Private transfer to the hotel. Afternoon free, and dinner with all the expedition team to try the famous Pakistani kebabs.
Day 3
In the morning, our local guide will pick us up and take us to Islamabad Airport. Here we will take a one-hour commercial flight to Skardu, the gateway to all expeditions to the Karakorum. From the plane, we will be able to see Nanga Parbat, K2, Gasherbrums… We will settle in a comfortable hotel with views of the whole city and the nearby valleys. In the afternoon we can do our last shopping.
In case of bad weather and we could not fly, we would make the journey by road along the famous Karakorum Highway. A picturesque two-day tour to be able to cover the 700km that separate Islamabad from Skardu.
Day 4
In the morning a private jeep will take us to Hushe, the last town and gateway to the Karakorum. The trip will last about 6 hours.
Day 5
Today we will trek up to our base camp. In about 6-7 hours of comfortable walking we will reach the CB. Here we will settle down to spend the next few days. We will have individual shops, dining room, kitchen and toilets…
Days 6 to 16
We will climb this mountain in the purest alpine style, without the help of porters and carrying what we need. Because we have to get a good acclimatization. We will carry out different activities that allow us to gradually move comfortably at altitude until we are fully prepared and make the final attack on Cathedral Peak (6,400m). We have enough time to climb, and we should not rush, the journey is the essential and it is what takes us to that magical point which is the top.
Day 17
Today we will do the 5-6 hour trek back to Hushe, the last town in the valley
Day 18
Private jeep transfer from Hushe to Skardu. In the afternoon we can buy traditional products in Skardu.
Day 19
In the morning we will fly back to Islamabad. In case of bad weather, we will start the return route to Islamabad by road. Arrival in Islamabad and transfer to the hotel
Day 20
Reserve day in Islamabad, just in case due to weather problems you can’t fly from Skardu and you have to return by car via KHW.
We will take the opportunity to make a cultural visit to the great bazaar in Rawalpindi and the great mosque in Islamabad
Day 21
We will leave Islamabad heading home, with a new adventure
The expedition is planned from a base camp located near the river. During 11 days the field will be set up and supplied with food for everyone. From there we will have to enter the glacier destined for the mountains.
From the base camp we must be autonomous among ourselves, but advised and coordinated by our staff. The equipment necessary for the rope must be provided by her, as well as the height tent, kitchens and gas. The ropes will be independent, but in any case we will all be on the mountain to learn and to help us in all cases. Although different routes are chosen, there will always be someone advising. If it were necessary to equip some stretch of cracks or rimayas, the material can be shared.
Any meteorological or risk factor will be able to lead to a change of plans on the part of our guide, who will be responsible for setting up alternatives based on our real-time European weather forecasters and coordinating our local support team.
The program is designed to adapt the technical level of the climbs to the greatest possible level of enjoyment. In the Karakorum the mountains are hard. Obviously, the main difficulty is the altitude (lack of oxygen) and its harsh climate. It is important to have good technique, as well as some experience in winter mountaineering and if you decide to come with skis, to have good technique.
The participant must meet both the physical and psychological conditions to undertake this type of expedition, since otherwise all their expectations may be frustrated. The more prepared we are, the more chances we have of reaching the summit. Normally the rate of ascent will be slow, we have to reserve strength as much as possible for the days of higher altitude.
Before the start, each participant must prepare on his own by doing training and go all the way to the mountain. All participants who want to can do one or two weekend outings with us. In this outing we will work on the most important aspects that will mark an expedition to the Karakorum: pace, cooking at altitude, setting up and supplying a camp, specific climbing techniques, acclimatization, equipment, altitude medicine…
As mountain professionals, we not only seek the greatest enjoyment, but the greatest degree of safety possible during activities. For this we will have personal safety equipment, permanent communication and a sufficient first aid kit.
It is essential to be in possession of insurance that covers these incidents and it is mandatory for all participants.
In the base camp we will sleep in tents. Our bag must guarantee a minimum temperature of -10ºC, especially for nights at altitude
The food will be of the highest level possible within the remote location where we will meet. If any of you have any special requirements please do not hesitate to let us know.
We will send an individual material list to each participant so that they bring everything necessary.
We advise you to take the following courses before your trip in order to get the most out of your experience:
Avalanches Risk management Avalanches Online
