Pastore Peak 6209m and K2 Base Camp A spectacular 6000m Peak sandwiched between K2 and Broad Peak A breathtaking approach trek, one of the best in the world Fascinating insight into the lives of the Balti people Pastore Peak is to the right of the main peak in this photo EXPEDITION OVERVIEW Pastore Peak offers everything! A breathtaking approach trek, considered by many as one of the best treks in the world, a shapely 6000m peak, sandwiched between the 8000m giants of K2 and Broad Peak. A visit to K2 Base camp and a return journey over the Gondogoro La. A unique offering by Adventure Peaks. It is still suitable for those who have experience with ice axe and crampons to Scottish grade 1 or Alpine PD. For those who do not wish to ascend the final peak there is the welcome opportunity to relax and just visit K2 Base Camp. 101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0DB Tel: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected] About Pakistan mini first aid kit, sun hat, sun-cream, sun glasses and a warm Pakistan is a beautiful wilderness for any mountaineer or hat and gloves. The rest of your gear can go in your kit bag trekker. The Balti people are some of the friendliest and and/or larger rucksack to be carried by the porters. happiest folk we have met on our travels, always singing and dancing. It is an enormous country, which has its share Catering Arrangements of political troubles, particularly those neighbouring the Food on the expedition and trek is excellent and designed to border with Afghanistan and parts of India. In contrast stimulate your appetite and keep you going despite the Islamabad and the Gilgit-Baltistan areas where we travel are remoteness. In the high camp we will use lightweight freeze deemed reasonably safe. The Karakoram area is home to the dry meals. Please inform us if you have any special dietary Shia people and has been reasonably isolated from recent requirements. conflicts Adventure Peaks have been operating trips into Pakistan since 2004 and monitor the situation before travel Itinerary in case any major incidents affect this trip itinerary. This is a suggested ideal itinerary; changes may well be However, should you have any concerns about security, necessary according to weather, client fitness and rate of please contact our office to discuss further acclimatisation as well as difficulties with transportation. A number of rest days are programmed and these are an Recommended Previous Experience important part of our structured acclimatisation programme. The climb up Pastore Peak is relatively straightforward and This does not mean you shouldn’t do anything – like Mera Peak in Nepal. You can climb Pastore Peak with nonstrenuous walks around the camp, gaining some height minimum winter mountaineering experience including the and then descending again is likely to be beneficial if you use of crampons & ice axe. The approach trek is tough and demanding but the rewards are spectacular especially with the chance to climb this rarely visited peak. We complete a full circular route over the Gondogoro La pass and return via Hushe. The Trekking Day Starts between 6 and 7am (not a problem as it’s usual to go to bed very early!) with a mug of steaming tea whilst still in your sleeping bag. As you get up its easy enough to pack all your overnight gear into a kit bag before enjoying a hearty breakfast. Your tents will be packed away for you by the local staff and the porters will arrange their loads and get a head start. Leaving camp whilst it’s still fairly cool the pace on the trek will be brisk but with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photos, chat to the locals and keep hydrated. Lunch is feel you have the energy. usually in a fine spot by the side of the trail and cooked/prepared by the catering team for you. Again a Views of Golden Throne en-route to Pastore Peak and K2 pleasant, relaxed affair that will help your acclimatisation Security, Safety and International Flights programme. Another few hours trekking after lunch and, We do not drive the Karakorum Highway and as a result the most days, you will be arriving at camp mid to late only alternative is the internal flight Islamabad to Skardu, afternoon ready for tea and biscuits this leaves an hour or so which can be affected by weather and delays may occur. A to either rest or explore around the camp before a fine three number of days have been included but there is a risk of course evening meal. missing International flights on your return and you must therefore accept the additional costs to change flights if The Climb necessary. Climbers will be expected to carry their own sleeping bag and basics above BC to High Camp (If the team decide to Days 1/2 Depart UK, arriving in Islamabad the next day and use the high camp) . We will use the services of local High- transfer to the hotel, briefing at the Alpine Club of Pakistan. Altitude Porters (HAPs) to carry and establish the high camp (H) and to assist the team on summit day. Depending on conditions we may establish fixed lines to protect the steeper Day 3 After an early breakfast we return to the airport for sections. the 45 min flight to Skardu, which usually departs mid- Training in the use of fixed lines will be given on the morning. Given good weather this is perhaps the most approach trek. spectacular commercial flight in the world, with magnificent views of Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the What to Carry world. The flight however will not operate in poor weather, We suggest a 50L Rucksack to enable you to carry your and you must be prepared for a wait in Islamabad if the sleeping bag on the final day up to High Camp (If required). flight is cancelled. (H,B,D) On the trek, your sack will be very light and should contain 1-2L of water, waterproofs, a spare warm layer, camera, Day 4 Possible free day in Skardu, (H,B,D) 101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0DB Tel: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected] Day 9 Trek Paiyu to Urdukas 4140m A tough day of walking as we tackle the rocky moraines of the Baltoro Glacier, but the sight of Paiyu Peak and the Trango Towers are truly astounding and you should get your first distant sight of Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums. The campsite is located on a grassy slope high above the Baltoro and commands one of the most intense mountain views in the world, which is dominated by nameless Tower, claimed to have the tallest granite wall in the world. 8hrs (C,B,L,D) Day 10 Urdukas Trek to Goro 4350m Now we are in the heart of Concordia with only ice on which to place our tents. We are surrounded by views of the great peaks: Muztagh Tower, Gasherbrum IV and the most spectacular of them all Masherbrum, it’s guaranteed to take your breath away. If we are rewarded with a clear evening, Day 5 Travel by Jeep to Askole 3048m, the last village nothing will have prepared you for the evening sunset and between us Pastore Peak and K2. This journey takes about the red hue over Masherbrum, it will never be forgotten! 7- 6-7 hours and is on very rough narrow tracks often blocked / 8hours (C,B,L,D) damaged by landslides. (C,B,L,D) Day 6 Trek Askole to Jola 3150m We set off early to avoid the heat of the day, an umbrella is also useful, but the route is gentle and enjoyable. We cross the Biafo Glacier on the way and get our first sight of the Paiyu pinnacles. 5 hours (C,B,L,D) Day 7 Trek Jola to Paiju 3520m If the river is sufficiently low we will edge our way round the base of the huge rock walls that guard the valley towards the Baltoro glacier. If not then a higher traverse will be taken before we regain the old river bed that leads to Paiju, our campsite for the next two nights. Despite the stories in old guide books and journals, much has been done in recent years to remove rubbish and human waste to leave an incredibly clean environment with well managed camps. In fact they are some of the best we have seen. 8-9 hours K2 and Broad Peak in the background Day 11 Trek Gore to Broad Peak Base Camp 5080m If the mountains had been placed in order for this trek, today the finale would have won an Oscar. We move up to Concordia passing the Golden Throne and Mitre Peak as we enter the arena of the 8000m Peaks, first Broad Peak (8047m) followed by the Gasherbrums and finally K2. The sheer size and scale of the 8000 metre peaks defies description, but this is a very special place and for many the view is a lifetime goal. 5-7hrs (C,B,L,D) Day 12 Broad Peak BC to Pastore Peak BC 5200m We start the day with a walk to K2 for lunch, afternoon Trek to Pastore Peak BC (C,B,L,D) Day 13-15 Climb Pastore Peak 6209m During our 2018 joint K2 summit expedition, we identified Cathedral Peak from Urdukas Camp this peak as a possible objective for clients to tackle a first Himalayan Peak with minimal previous crampon and ice axe Day 8 Rest day at Paiju camp experience.