Gasherbrum II Expedition – Karakoram

General overview

Gasherbrum II is World’s 13th highest mountain with a summit elevation of 8,035 m (26,362 ft.) above sea level. It is located on the border of Pakistan and China and has been summited ten times less than Mount Everest. G2 is one of the most remote 8,000 m peaks. Expert leader Dan Mazur has led Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak, K2 and over a dozen Everest expeditions successfully to the summit. The expedition includes travel within the Karakorum, food, accommodations, staff, personal climbing Sherpas, and group equipment. Test yourself at high elevation without the crowd and experience this attainable goal surround by some of the world’s most hauntingly spectacular terrain.

An ascent of Gasherbrum I can be added to this expedition, giving members the opportunity to climb two 8,000m peaks in one trip. Please inquire!

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Islamabad. Meet our staff at airport. They will bring you to the hotel.

Day 2 – Guided sightseeing and shopping in Islamabad (508 metres / 1,667 ft.).

Day 3 – Fly to Skardu, transfer to Skardu hotel.

Day 4 – Skardu sightseeing. Hotel. (2,230 metres / 7,316 feet)

Day 5 – Skardu – Briefing at Department of Tourism. Final preparations. Hotel.

Day 6 – Drive by Jeep to Askole, a lovely little farming village. Camp. (3,039 metres / 9,970 feet).

Day 7 – Trek to Jhola. (3,170 metres / 10,400 feet). We enter Karakoram National Park and trek past a slope filled with garnets and cross a lovely bridge.

Day 8 – Trek to Paiyu. (3,666 metres / 12,028 feet). Trek to this famous forest in the Baltoro Valley.

Day 9 – Rest Day in Paiyu. On this day, porters will bake all of their bread for the upcoming trek.

Day 10 – Trek to Khuburtse. (3,800 metres / 12,467 feet). a fabulous campsite near a lake on the edge of the Baltoro Glacier.

Day 11 – Trek to Urdukas. (3,950 metres / 12,959 feet). Camp amongst grass and lovely boulders, with amazing views of the Great Trango Towers.

Day 12 – Goro II. (4,300 metres / 14,108 feet). Camp on the flat stones on the surface of the Baltoro Glacier with lovely views of the mightiest peaks all around, like Masherbrum, Cathedral, etcetera.

Day 13 – Concordia. (4,550 metres / 14,928 feet). Concordia must be the most famous campsite in all the Karkakoram. Incredible views of K2, Mitre Peak, Gasherbrum 4, and many more.

Day 14 – Trek To Gasherbrum Basecamp (5,150 metres / 16,896 ft.). Set up base camp.

Day 15 – Rest In base camp: Sherpa Prayer Ceremony (Puja): our Nepali Sherpas conduct a colourful ceremony, putting up prayer flags.

Day 16 – Gear Check and Ice Training near basecamp. Leader and Sherpas recheck all of your gear, and practice using it near basecamp during a review of fixed rope climbing technique and glacier travel.

Day 17 – Walk to Camp 1 at (5,950 metres / 19,521 ft.). The walk to camp 1 is on the beautiful Gasherbrum Glacier. Return to base camp.

Day 18 – Walk to Camp 1 at (5,950 metres / 19,521 ft.). Sleep in Camp 1.

Day 19 – Explore the route to Camp 2. Sleep in Camp 1.

Day 20 – Climb to Camp 2. Sleep in Camp 2. (6,900 metres / 22,630 ft.)

Day 21 – Explore the route to Camp 3. Descend to Camp 1.

Day 22 – Descend to Base Camp.

Day 23 – Rest in base camp.

Day 24 – Walk to Camp 1 at (5,950 metres / 19,521 ft.). Sleep in Camp 1.

Day 25 – Climb to Camp 2. Sleep in Camp 2. (6,900 metres / 22,630 ft.)

Day 26 – Climb to Camp 3. Sleep in Camp 3. (7,400 metres / 24,278 ft.).

Day 27 – Descend to Camp 1.

Day 28 – Descend to Base Camp.

Day 29 – Rest in base camp.

Day 30 – Rest in base camp.

Day 31 – Walk to Camp 1 at (5,950 metres / 19,521 ft.). Sleep in Camp 1.

Day 32 – Climb to Camp 2. Sleep in Camp 2. (6,900 metres / 22,630 ft.)

Day 33 – Climb to Camp 3. Sleep in Camp 3. (7,400 metres / 24,278 ft.).

Day 34 – Attempt Summit (8,035 metres / 26,362 ft.). Return to Camp 3.

Day 35 – Extra day for additional summit attempt.

Day 36 – Descend to Camp 1.

Day 37 – Descend to base camp.

Day 38 – Descend to base camp. Pack up and prepare for departure.

Day 39 – Follow the Upper Baltoro Glacier to Ali Camp (4,800 metres/15,748 ft.)

Day 40 – Cross the Gondogoro La (5,585 metres / 18,323 ft.). Descend to Huisprung (4,600 metres / 15,088 ft.). Camp near a lovely lake.

Day 41 – Trek down the Gondogoro Valley to Saitcho (3,350 metres / 10,991 ft.)

Day 41 – Last day of trekking to Hushe Village (3,050 metres / 10,0007ft.). Drive beside the Hushe River and follow the Shyock and Indus rivers to Skardu (2,230 metres / 7,316 ft.).

Day 42 – De-briefing at Tourism Department. Showers, laundry, shopping. Hotel

Day 43 – Islamabad / Chilas. Hotel

Day 44 – Final paperwork, shopping, farewell dinner in Islamabad. Hotel

Day 45 – Fly Home (Extra days may be added for additional summit attempts).

Good to know

Leadership

Leadership: Dan Mazur is a relaxed, friendly, well-organised, and highly skilled professional with over 20 years of experience leading people to the summits of Everest, K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Manaslu, and Shishapangma.

Sherpas: We employ some of Nepal, Tibet, and the Karakorum’s best local mountaineers and Sherpas to assist team members in realizing their summit goals. Our friendly and loyal high-altitude climbing staff has supported teams to the summits of more than ten of the highest peaks in the Himalayas.