Karakoram

Mountains, Regions, Climbs, Expeditions, Facts

Karakorum

Karakorum: The second highest mountain range in the world with the K2 at 8,611 m (28,251 ft) extends over the north of Pakistan, India, and the southwest of China. Together with Broad Peak at 8,051 m (26,414 ft), Gasherbrum I / Hidden Peak at 8,080 m (26,509 ft), and Gasherbrum II at 8,034 m (26,358 ft) there are four eight-thousanders / 8000m-peaks in the Karakoram.

Broad Peak Expedition

Baltoro K2 Trek - Karakoram

Falchen Kangri Trekking

G1 & G2 - Gasherbrum Expedition

Shimshal Explorer - Alpine Climbing

K2 Climb

Karakoram

The Karakoram borders the Himalayas to the south, the Hindu Kush to the west, and the Pamirs to the north. It hosts many 6,000m peaks, 7,000m peaks, and four of the 8,000m peaks. In terms of area, the Karakoram is a relatively small mountain range (compared to the Himalayas, Tien Shan, or Andes), but over 50% of the area is over 5,000m high and the extreme density of high mountains characterize the landscape. Thus, the Karakoram is often called the steepest, wildest, and most fascinating mountains in the world.

  • Highest mountain: K2 - 8,611 m (28,251 ft)
  • Peaks 8.000 m height: 4
  • Area: about 75.150 km²

Braldu-Baltoro

This region covers an area of approx. 3.000 square kilometers along the Baifo glacier, the Baltoro glacier, and the 80km long Braldu river that is feed by the glacial melting. To the east the area forms the border to China along the main range with four of the 8000-meter-peaks: K2, Broad Peak, G1 and G2. That mountain subrange is also kown as Baltoro Muztagh. The Panmah Muztagh with Latok I-III, Baintha Brakk (Ogre) are found at the upper part of the long Baifo glaciers. After Braldu river originates from the Baltoro glacier it meets the Baifo river and passes Askole, the town where all expeditions in this region start. It flows almost eastwards to meet the Shigar River, which is a tributary of the Indus river.

Braldu-Baltoro is part of the Skadu district of Gilgit Baltistan. The few villages between Shigar and Askole are inhabited by Balti people, an ethnic group of Tibetan descent that converted to mostly Shia Islam by the 17th century. Aroun 10,000 people live in the Braldu valley, and the valleys above Askole are not inhabited.

Shimshal

The Shimshal region covers an area of approx. 6.000 square kilometers from valleys at 3000 meters to mountains of almost 8000 meters height. From the entrance to Shimshal at the Karakoram Highway (KKH) near the town Passu unto 120km distance are covered to the east, where Pakistan meets the border of China. It extends up to 80km from north at the Shaksgam river (Chinese-Pakistani-border) to south, where many mighty 7000m-peaks form the border to Hispar region, and the Braldu Brakk (6200m) the passes Khurdopin La (5640m) and Lake La (5675m) lead to the Baifo glacier, the bigger Braldu-Baltoro region

Only 2100 people live in the Shimshal region. They live in approx. 270 households in Shimshal village, located at 3100m altitude along the Shimshal river. Many families have huts in the mountain regions, where they live temporarily to take care of their land and animals. Also, a huge amount of community huts and trails exist, traditionally donated by one family, open for anyone to use.

Please visit again: We will introduce some more information about the Karakoram soon.