Adventure Achivers

The Rower

Photograph by Phil Uhl

Rower and ocean advocate Roz Savage took 2.5 million oarstrokes to become the first woman to cross the Pacific Ocean, solo. She'd already done the Atlantic. Next up? The Indian Ocean.

The Tracker

Photograph courtesy Martin Wikelski

Behavioral ecologist Martin Wikelski tracks animal migrations across the world—everything from flying foxes in Africa to bumblebees in Germany. His research may help predict earthquakes and tsunamis. Here he's seen tracking mallards on Lake Constance in the Alps.

The Alpinist

Photograph couresty Edurne Pasaban Collection

After battling her way to the summit of K2, Edurne Pasabán lost pieces of her big toes. This year, Pasabán became one of the first women to stand atop the world's 14 8,000-meter peaks, including Kangchenjunga (pictured) in the

The Circumnavigator

Photograph by Torsten Blackwood, AFP/Getty Images

Sailor Jessica Watson circumnavigated the globe single-handedly, without stopping, before her 17th birthday. Here she is seen on her triumphant return to Sydney Harbor, Australia, where she was greeted by tens of thousands of fans.

The Oarsman

Photograph by Amory Ross, Artemis Ocean Rowing

Skipper Leven Brown and his four-man team rowed across the Atlantic Ocean faster than anyone this summer, breaking a record that stood for 114 years. Here they are seen training in one of the world's busiest waterways, New York City's Hudson River.

The Voyager

Photograph by The Plastiki Team

Eco-crusader David de Rothschild sailed a 60-foot sailboat made of 12,500 plastic bottles across the Pacific Ocean in a quixotic, and groundbreaking, journey. Here the catamaran sails off the coast of Fiji.

The Paddler

Photograph by Jody MacDonald

Australian paddleboarder Jamie Mitchell won the epic race across Hawaii's Molokai Channel for the ninth year in a row. He's also the ambassador for a sport in the throes of its breakout moment: stand up paddleboarding (SUP). Here he's seen paddleboard surfing the Maldives in pursuit of the world's best waves.

The Climber

Photograph by Corey Rich, Aurora

Climber Alex Honnold spent two weeks in Yosemite crushing speed records up 3,000-foot El Capitan and iconic Half Dome, at one point soloing both in a single, 11-hour stretch. Here he is seen freesoloing the Nose on El Cap.

Kid Climber

Photograph courtesy Matt Moniz

Twelve-year-old Matt Moniz climbed to the highest point in all 50 United States this summer, in record speed. He's also an outspoken advocate for getting kids into the outdoors. He's seen here descending Washington's Mount Rainer.

Mountaineering in Pakistan

In post independent days in 1947, number of expeditions to this area recorded an increase. In 1953 a US expedition took the initiative of an attempt on K-2 but remained unsuccessful. Anyway an Italian expedition led by Prof. Ardito Desio successfully went for the first ascent of the extremely fierce mountain - K-2.

Karakoram:

In Turkish language Karakoram means "black" this excellent and impressive set of dark brown and black variety of rocks in very rare mountain range. It houses the largest collection of very high pinnacles and mountains in the world stretched for 400 kms. This concentration has 250 kms depth. It is surrounded by Shyok River in the East and Karamber, Ishkuman and Gilgit Rivers in the the West.

Then it is surrounded by the Shaksgan River in the North East and by Shyok and the Indus Rivers in the South West. Karakoram has special significance for its fractujred rocks, guarding vertical characteristics and very sharp angled slopes offersing great challenge to mountaineers and adventure lovers.

 Four summits above 8000 meters i.e., K-2, Gasherbrum I and II as well as Broad Peak exist in Karakoram in an area of only 20 kms encircling the re;puted glacial junction - Concordia. Boltoro, Soltoro, Lupghar, Khunjerab, Panmah, Aghil, Masherbrum, Saser, Hispar, Siachin, Rino, Batura, Raka;poshi/Bagrot and Haramosh are the sub-regions of the Karakoram.
This region has variable snow line ranging between 4200 to 4500 meters during the summer season.

The temperatures in the area are extremely varied with large difference between lowest and highest mercury in a day. There is no penetration of Monsoons in this area. From May till end of September, each year is the most viable season to go for climbing in Karakoram. However climbing during winter kis possible. Apart from towering mountains, Karakoram house largest glaciers beyond the polar regions.

Hindukush:

The Hindukush stand high in the west of Pamirs. Considerably it stretches from Wakhjir pass at the conjunction of pamirs and Karakoram to Khawak pass in the north of Kabul. First part of it goes beyond Wakhjir pass up to Dorah pass (320 kms long) and separates Hunza from Wakhan. Its second is satuated on the other side of Dorah pass in Afghanistan. The third region with 240 kms length is located in Pakistan stretching into swat and Kohistan.

 Eastward, the Indus River separates it from Karakoram. Thich Mir (7492m), Darban Zom (7219m) and Shingeik Zom are the other peaks of the area. There are few glaciers in the range but these less significant. Because of geographic qualities this area has accessibility to Afghanistan and in 1830 it was first discovered by Europeans and then by the survey teams from Britain. British survey teams had attempted to climb Tirchmir and other summits in the area dating back in 1927. However in 1950 a Norwegian expedition comprising of nationals of different countries along with Pakistanis have scaled it. 

Other summits of the area were scaled afterwards i.e., in the sixties and seventies. Though almost all the peaks in the above 7000m in the Hindukush have already been scaled, still the goes on to attract mountaineers and those having love for nature. Lately other activities related to adventure tourism such as trekking and jeep safaris have shown considerable rise in the area.

Western Himalayas:

The western Himalayas is located between valley of Kashmir in the east to Indus River in the north and west and Nanga Parbat massif is dominating it. Highest peak of this chain stands at 8125m. the range includes Kashmir, Kaghan, Kohistan, Deosai and Chitral regions. Deosai plains existing at an altitude of about 4500m also dominate this range. These plains are full of flowers blossoming in the summer months, offering very charming scenery. The monsoon also blesses the area and summer is the climbing season. Recently to some extent winter climbing has also commenced.

Nanga Parbat set of peaks has various routes but Rupal (eastern face), Riakot/Fairy Meadows side (north western face), Diamer face(the western side) and the lengthy western Mazeno ridge are famous base camps. Europeans had explored it in late 19th century. Nanga Parbat region was first visited by the Schlagintweet brothers of Germany in 1854. Mr. A.F.Mummery led a British expedition which tried hard to pave the way on the southern and western slopes in 1985. A joint German and us expedition did try to get on Nanga Parbat in 1932. 

Afterwards German expeditions attempted it in 1937 and 1939 with heavy casualties, that why it is often called a German mount. However in 1953, a joint Austrian German expedition headed by Mr. Herlingkoffer successfully scaled this killer mountain. Mr. Hermann Buhl unprecedently making a solo attempt, became successful to get on the peak in 40 hours. Since then the summit has been scaled from all sides by several climbers like Mr. Reinhold Messener. He has climbed it on few occasions, Sher khan, Rajab shah, Mohammad-ullah and Att ul Haq were the first Pakistanis to climb Nanga Parbat in 1989.

Spantik Peak Base Camp Trek

Spantik Peak Base Camp Trek

Trip Nature:		Adventure
Transportation:		Air Conditioned & 4x4W Jeeps
Best Time:		June - October
Max Altitude:		4977m
Trek Grade:		Medium

 

Spantik Peak Base Camp is a popular playground for mountaineers attempting their first 7,000-meter peak in Karakoram. It is also known as Golden Peak & Ghenish Chhish. 

We undertake a 12-day strenuous round trek in the heart of Karakorum  approaching the base camp of this beautiful peak on forth day of our trek. Very few adventurers visit this part of Karakorum so we have the opportunity to experience the romantic wilderness of Karakoram in its prime form.

Masherbrum and Gondogoro BC Trek

Duration: 20 Days
Camping: 10 Nights
Hotel: 09 Nights
Trip Nature: Adventure
Transportation: Air Conditioned & 4x4W Jeeps
Best Time: May - October
Max Altitude: 4200m
Trek Grade: Beginners

Masherbrum and Gondogoro Base Camp Trek - Baltistan

                            

Masherbrum Base Camp trek is one of our most exciting walking journeys! And it is one of the most isolated treks of Pakistan in Karakoram. 

The trek goes through Hushe Valley in Baltistan. It is an easy trek even for those who do not have any trekking experience but still intend to have a marvelous trekking experience of mighty Karakoram. 

After exploring Masherbrum Base Camp we continue our walk towards Gondogoro Base Camp by halting traditional camps of Schayechu, Dalchampa and then to Khuispan the base of Gondogoro Peak 5860mts. 

If you have received enough technical climbing training attempting this peak is great experience. The trek ends again at the beautiful Hushe Valley which is full of fruit orchards and potato fields. The trek does not require any technical experience.

Hidden Peak To White Pine Canyon Pass

This hike was originally for American Fork Twins, but the clouds started to thicken as we headed for Hidden Peak, so we decided to get some sun down pictures from the White Pine Pass. We began on the back side of Hidden Peak, followed the service road in the circ below the Twins, and headed into a really wooded area called Gad Valley. This is one of Snowbirds very popular ski runs during the season. We passed the ski house in the basin of this gulch, and began to climb to the upper gad lift. When we got to the lift we could see a boulder field down the service road.
This boulder field is where we began our climb to the White Pine Pass. This would be a very steep decent into unknown territory so I advise climbing the ridge route to the twins, but take the White Pine Trail to the lake. As we watched the sky begin to turn to dusk, we decided to transcend the saddle to get the sunset on film.
These are some of the best pictures in my collection, and I will probably never get such great sundown shots again in my life. One of the pictures I took was the Pfeifferhorn with purple clouds looming over the summit. The shots got better as the sun headed over the Oquirrh Mountains; the sky lost its blue hue, and began to turn an orange/red color. As the sun set we decided to make are descend to the car. The hike down was bushwhacking in the dark, and very scary without headlamps, I could not see anything. We tried to follow the ski run, and we made it to the car just in time to watch the thunderheads tear into the twins. It had began raining lightly, so the car was a welcome site. I do not recommend staying on this trail past sun down unless you are familiar with Gad Valley, but if you are familiar with Gad Valley and you get lucky enough you may also witness some beautiful sunsets. What a great place we live, the canyons, and all the beauty that they hold.
Trail Stats: Little Cottonwood Canyon- Trail Head- Hidden Peak- 11,000 feet Distance to the White Pine Canyon Pass- Bushwhack through Gad Valley- 3 miles Elevation Gain- 2100 feet to 10,210 feet Hiking time- 3hrs 6min

Biafo Hispar Snow Lake Trek

Camp nights: 14
Hotel night: 7
Maximum Elevation: 5151 meters/17,000 feet
Range: Karakurum
Grade of difficulty: Strenuous
Best Season:: June to mid of September




BIAFO & HISPAR GLACIERS / SNOW LAKE TREKKING ROUTE :

The Longest Glacial Trek on the Earth

Biafo & Hispar glaciers are listed among the list of longest glaciers in the world. A trekking route from Baltistan to Hunza Valley on these glaciers is the longest glacial traverse in the world apart from the snow lands of the two poles. The trekking route is rarely done, which makes it more interesting as the campsites are clean and less polluted. Starting our walk from Askole, we climb up Biafo Glacier and arrive at the vast bowl of snow called Snow Lake, which covers an area of 77 square kilometers.

The great world explorers have mentioned the area in their accounts while Tillman claimed to witness the presence of a mythical creature, the Yeti, as he saw its footprint around Snow Lake. Biafo Glacier is also known as the home of the brown bear.Geologists and other experts have measured the depth of the glacier to be as deep as one and half kilometers ( about one mile ) at points.

Hispar Pass is a vast plateau of snow and ice from where trekking routes lead to Nagar, Hunza and to Shimshal. Crossing the Hispar La at 5151m/16,998ft we descend into the Nagar region. Although we cross the highest point of the trek we still must negotiate several of the glacier tails flowing down from the mountains. The reward of this effort is the green and lovely campsite before arriving in Nagar and then drive to Hunza Valley.

This strenuous trek has many stories about it that tell us of the ethno-cultural link between the Brushos of Hunza and Nager and the Baltis of erstwhile Shigar state.

K2 Base Camp Trek

Camp nights: 13 

Hotel nights: 07 

Maximum Elevation: 5650meters/18,645 feet 

Range: Karakurum 

Grade of difficulty: Strenuous 

Best Season: June to mid of September 

BALTORO GLACIER – CONCORDIA – K2 BASE CAMP - GHONDOGHORO LA 

The most famous trekking route in the world is K2 base camp, a strenuous and demanding but rewarding as well. Starting from Skardu, the capital of Baltistan, we cross Shigar, a lush green fertile and fruit laden valley and drive as far as Askole, the road head and the last dwelling before entering into the Galen Rowell’s ‘throne room of the mountain gods‘.

Walking on the treacherous but panoramic Baltoro Glacier, we see several famous and beautiful mountains en route. Finally we arrive at Concordia, the junction of Baltoro and Godwin Austin Glaciers with several other tributaries and a place serving as the base for the four giants of Karakurums, i.e. Gasherbrum II ( 8035m ), Broad Peak ( 8047m ) and Hidden Peak or Gasherbrum I ( 8068m ) dominated by the king of the mountains, K-2 ( 8611m ).
 

The beauty of the place has no match in the world and the view of K2 is gorgeous. The return journey is possible via the same route or crossing the Ghondoghoro La, a technical pass at 5650 meters, offering a good challenge to epic enthusiasts. This route leads to Hushe, another picturesque valley of Baltistan and we drive to Skardu visiting Khaplu, the famous sub division of the area, noted for its old buildings of a castle and a mosque.

Shipton SpirE

Altitude: 5852m
Base Camp Altitude: 2800b
Location: Baltoro Glacier
Range: Karakoram
Ideal Duration:15 Days
Best Time: June-September
No of Camps Required: 3-4

Shipton Spire (5852m)

                         

An awesome peak in the Trango valley with numbers of six thousand meters peaks in neighborhood attracted many rock climbers though success rate is not in same number. It is a steep wall demanding ample technical skills. This peak has not been focused in many books and maps due to its height which less than six thousand meters