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Close, Chris Lininger is a writer, photographer, and guide from California. Many budget tour companies disguise themselves as mid-level operators, and, oh, they will try to charge you just as much as a mid-level company that will offer much better quality at the end of the day. This permit allows you to travel into the National Park, which lies in a restricted military area, as the park borders China to the north and India to the east. Helmet: When crossing the Gondogoro La, there is a high danger of rockfall. It gives you a true wilderness experience. 23 Days / 22 Nights (1 Review) St. Moritz Ski Packages. Recommendation: Arc’teryx Gamma AR softshell pants. These gear shops are about as big as my bedroom. 5-6 pairs are sufficient. The days are longer and more remote than a similar trek in the Himalayas of Nepal. More information. Congratulations to the K2 Base Camp Trekkers. Mid-Level Operators: Mid-level operators are most likely to cater to the largest demographic of the trekking community. Which brings us to my next point…. We also welcome personalized plan requests from groups and individuals. Once you have had your visa approved, it’s time to apply for your NOC. USD I am repeating myself here because it bears repeating. Epic Backpacker Tours is next running a trip to K2 Base Camp in July 2021. Bring a positive attitude and your patience A-game, and try not to take yourself or the situation too seriously. K2 base camp trek mainly involves walking over and marching along the world’s 5th longest non-polar glacier i.e. If you already have a quality sleeping pad, better to bring it as it will most definitely be more comfortable than the ones provided to you. A sleeping bag is one of those things. From Skardu, groups take 4×4 jeeps to Askole to start the trek. Gaiters: I almost always hike with gaiters now, as they help to keep stones, mud, and water out of my hiking boots. For most of the K2 trek, you do not need a serious mountain boot. The team included a Pakistani member, Colonel Muhammad Ata-Ullah, who had been a part of the 1953 American expedition. Far from it. Whoever eventually manages a winter ascent on K2 will become immortalized forever in mountaineering lore, that is for certain. 5. Airport transfers on first and last day. Trekking Poles: I am a firm believer in the importance of using trekking poles. At the end of Baltoro glacier is Concordia which is known as “Throne Room of Mountain Gods”. K2 Base Camp Trek includes accommodation in a hotel as well as flights, an expert guide, meals, transport and more. When it is not quite cold enough to throw on the down jacket, the fleece acts as a comfy around the camp layer. Check out our full Black Diamond Alpine FLZ review. At the higher camps, the cooking teams forage for the clearest glacier water they can find, sometimes with mixed results. I have heard of people getting killed by rockfall on the Gondogoro, so bringing a helmet is a no brainer. Licensed Mountain Guide (government requirement) 2. Trekkers follow a rocky trail that winds up the mighty Baltoro Glacier, passing through a colossal amphitheatre of sky-scraping summits – including seven of the 19 highest mountains on the planet – en route to the base of the world’s second highest peak. Option 1: Hike back how you came, down the Baltoro Glacier to Askole (which takes 4-6 days). A majority of the trek is spent walking on the mighty Baltoro Glacier (about 65 KM) until it comes to the confluence with the Godwin-Austen Glacier. I went on a quest to find out…. We work hard to put out the best backpacker resources on the web, for free! Don’t spend a fortune on fancy trekking shirts. They have so many practical applications from serving as a dust mask to keeping the sun off of your neck. The K2 Base Camp trek is a MUST for anybody serious about taking on one of the least frequented long-distance hikes in the world. For a majority of the trek, you do not need gaiters. This porter service allowance is also a game-changer regarding what you can bring. You only need the helmet for the few hours you are descending the La, but it could certainly save your life if you are unlucky enough to be struck by a large stone. Bring along your Kindle or a good book so that you can have something to do during rest days and evening time. Satellite Messenger Device: Having two-way texting capabilities from anywhere in the world is badass. Ian Taylor trekking has the reputation of being a solid high-end operator. The top of the pass is a broad area offering breathtaking views of 4 eight thousand meter peaks. K2 Base Camp Trek gives great views of four 8,000m peaks and is thought by many to be one of the best high mountain treks in the world. Avoid cotton. Lightweight Trekking Pants (1-2): Trekking pants are probably the item you need to worry about the least. The area is simply unspoiled, like the way it was found by Younghusband and Shipton. Honestly, the K2 trek is one of the coolest adventures you can go on and the rewards are endless. View 4 eight-thousanders from Gondogoro Pass. From $2,100 $1,700. Join Epic Backpacker Tours in 2021 and prepare for best the adventure of your life. Concordia is a distinguished view point for 2 great mountains; K2 and Broad Peak. Camps take on a sort of festival atmosphere. You can find an acceptable pair of trekking pants for under $50. Recommendation: Merino Icebreaker 200 Oasis. Read the fine print and confirm that you are covered for adventure sports like trekking at altitude. Budget backpackers might be tempted to go for the cheapest possible option, which in the end, may work out for them just fine. I found that I rarely hiked with base layer bottoms on, as they get too hot too quickly. K2 Base Camp trek is a beautiful trek located in the Karakoram range of Pakistan. Dry Bags: Be 100% sure that your most important items stay dry when they arrive at camp. You will not have air beds and caviar, but you will have the trekking experience of your life in comfort with an experienced team for a reasonable price. This is the pack that you will hike with daily. 8. Trekking to K2 Base Camp is the most popular trekking holiday for foreign trekkers visiting Pakistan. Unlike the Himalayas the topography of the Karakorum Mountains is rigid, unfertile and not inhibited by locals. Ah, the luxuries of modern times. Today is the top highlight of the K2 Base Camp Trek, you will be standing right in the front of the world’s second-highest mountain K2 (8,611 meters), have lunch at the K2 base camp with world’s top mountain climbers than walk down to Concordia for the night stay. Be Patient: Things do not always go as planned in Pakistan and sometimes delays can occur. Down jackets provide excellent insulation for those chilly nights at camp and early morning starts on the trail. One of our objectives is to visit K2 Base Camp (approx 5150m) and the Gilkey Memorial, a spectacular full day trip from camp.The most exciting day of this trek as you walk past Broad peak and get nearer to K-2 and arrive at the strip which is the most popular camping area for nearly all the expeditions to K-2. EUR A rain shell is the key to a successful layering system as they function as a sort of warmth seal in addition to acting as a barrier to the elements. A summer alpine boot is not an unreasonable choice. A nice pair of trekking socks will mean the difference between making yourself susceptible to blisters or not. All accommodation along the K2 Base Camp Trek is in tents, which the porters carry, set up, and break down daily. By the end of the trek, they will be rank though, be sure. Before you get your boots on the ground in Pakistan, a significant amount of forethought and planning needs to be undertaken. Towering mountain peaks, cerulean glacier pools, remote wilderness, Balti culture, alpine passes, comrades to adventure with, I mean, what else do you need? Check out this article on the best headlamps for trekking. Luxury operators typically cater to an older crowd who can afford to be more comfortable and are prepared to pay for it. Plus, they dry quickly and don’t get nearly as rank as fast as cotton socks do. This remote and rugged trek is considered one of the greatest hikes in the world as it takes you through the dramatic terrain of the Karakoram range with unparalleled views and incredible natural formations. GBP The K2 Base Camp trek is an expedition-style trek, which means everything you will need for the two weeks you are away from civilization must be carried with you and your team of porters. We've assembled a list of all the best Black Friday deals for travelers, RIGHT HERE. Sleeping Bag: A sleeping bag is another piece of gear that you DO NOT want to skimp on. As a wise man once said, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you shouldn’t be traveling. Over the years, K2 has developed a reputation as one of the most difficult and dangerous 8,000-meter peaks to climb in the world. And you can find yourself enjoying the area without meeting other trekkers, climbers or wanderlust as few challenge the unknown mountains. Nestled deep in the Karakoram range of Northern Pakistan lies a mountain or should I say a series of legendary mountains steeped in mystery, cloud, and ice. From Concordia, one has two options to finish the trek. This will make things easier when it comes to getting all of the final permitting done just before the trek since the visa is specifically for trekking and mountaineering activities. For the sake of transparency, some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Your tour operator should sort this out for you. Also, gloves are mandatory for gripping the rope as the group descends Gondogoro La. This is truer if you are crossing later in the day and the warm sun is melting ice high above on the mountain. Below, I answer the most important questions surrounding what it is actually like to trek to K2, what to pack for two weeks in the Karakoram, K2 Base Camp trek cost, on the ground logistics, how to choose the right tour company, required permits, traveling in Pakistan, and much more. Before, travelers had to submit their passport and documents directly to the Pakistani consulate in their home country. It is from here that they buy the food, organize the porters and jeeps, finalize the NOC permits, and purchase any last-minute good needed for the trek. Showing up unprepared is pretty much a one-way ticket to the ultimate suffer-fest. Base Layer Top: I don’t think I took my base layer off for the entire two weeks I was hiking to K2 Base Camp. There is not a whole lot to see and do in Skardu before you start the trip, but a visit to the Kharpocho Fort and Buddha rock are well worth it. Invest in a good sleeping bag and guarantee yourself many nights of solid (and warm) sleep. Being too dark to ascend or descend, Mehdi and Bonatti were forced to overnight without shelter above 8,000 meters leaving the oxygen tanks behind as requested when they descended. K2 Base Camp Trek 2018-19 (y) Register Now! Chris is also a founding member of, Airbnb's Most Unique Properties Worldwide. These two incredible trekking routes mentioned above which were once considered harsh proposals are now considered good challenges by hiking and trekking enthusiasts from around the world. This bag is where the majority of your stuff will be, sleeping bag, clothing, alpine boots, crampons, helmet, harness, excess snacks, etc. Stay dry amigos. 7. Under the new scheme – all parties planning on going to K2 BC or entering central Karakoram National Park will need to apply for the Trekking and Mountaineering Visa. It also offers 90 … Below is a list of helpful tips to maximize your chance for an awesome few weeks in the mountains…. CAD K2 Gondogoro La Trek involves trekking first over the Upper Baltoro glacier and later on the Vigne glacier before ascending and crossing the Gondogoro la/pass (5585 m). In my opinion, though, it is much better to have them than to not, especially if you are going to attempt Gondogoro La in August you will almost 100% not need them as there is no ice present. Certain factors like weather, rockfall, acts of God, etc.
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