Trek In - Karakoram 2005

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The trek to Broad Peak (for 2005)

Here is a general timeline for our trek in to Broad Peak Base Camp. Here are some maps from another web site. Here are some photos from my 2004 trip

Date Activity

19-Jun Arrive in Pakistan after flying from Minnesota to Chicago to London to Islamabad.

20&21-Jun Run around and do errands in 100 degree heat.

22-Jun Briefing at Ministry of Tourism. Meeting with LO (Liaison Officer).

23-Jun Begin the endless drive up the Karakoram Highway (KKH). The first day we do the longer but easier stretch to Chilas and stay in a hotel overnight. If we are extremely lucky it might be possible to fly directly to Skardu and skip the drive.

24-Jun Back in the jeep and finish the sometimes terrifying drive to Skardu. Along the way we get a look at Nanga Parbat, another 8000m peak. After a total of about 24 hours we cross the bridge and enter the Skardu valley.

25-Jun A day in Skardu, the last real town, for final packing and purchases. Our last hotel bed and food for several weeks.

26-Jun We jump in the jeeps and ride the road to Askole. About 60 miles and 7 hours. There are hot springs along the way, but we won't get to stop at them. The best part-no more vehicles and we're sleeping above 3000 meters.

27-Jun The first day's trek leads along the Braldu River, past a couple of irrigated areas on the other side of the river. We cross the snout of the Biafo glacier, a major glacier that runs over 30 miles into the mountains. After a seemingly long day we turn and walk along a side river for a mile, cross it on a bridge, and walk back to the developed campsite at Jhula.

28-Jun More walking along the Braldu all day until we reach the green terraces of Paiju, another campsite that has been developed to help keep the area clean. Sinks, toilets, and amazing views. Altitude : 3480 M.

29-Jun Rest & acclimatization day at Paiju. Hopefully it won't be raining.

30-Jun Finally we get up onto the Baltoro Glacier. After walking for a long time we get to the trekker's camp, which is just our lunch spot. We then trudge up and down endless morainal humps to reach the grassy slopes of Urdukas. If we're lucky we can see the Trango group. A tough day.

1-Jul A long walk on the icy Baltoro Glacier. We traverse the Yermanandu Glacier which flows down from Masherbrum & joins the Baltoro. Magnificent views of Muztagh, Mitre & Gasherbrum IV unless it's foggy/snowy, in which case you can't see anything. Overnight at Goro-2 campsite.

2-Jul Another day's walk on the Baltoro Glacier to a point called Concordia - a huge junction of Baltoro, Abruzzi & Godwin Austin Glaciers at over 4000 meters. Stunning viewpoints, including K2, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum IV.

3-Jul Final day of trek to Broad Peak base. A 3-4 hour trek gets us to the base of Broad Peak and Base Camp. It looks to be about an hour walk!

4-Jun It's time to climb! We're at about 4900m on a medial moraine. We stay here until August 1st.

Date	Activity
19-Jun	Arrive in Pakistan after flying from Minnesota to Chicago to London to Islamabad.
20&21-Jun	Run around and do errands in 100 degree heat.
22-Jun	Briefing at Ministry of Tourism. Meeting with LO (Liaison Officer).
23-Jun	Begin the endless drive up the Karakoram Highway (KKH). The first day we do the longer but easier stretch to Chilas and stay in a hotel overnight. If we are extremely lucky it might be possible to fly directly to Skardu and skip the drive.
24-Jun	Back in the jeep and finish the sometimes terrifying drive to Skardu. Along the way we get a look at Nanga Parbat, another 8000m peak. After a total of about 24 hours we cross the bridge and enter the Skardu valley.
25-Jun	A day in Skardu, the last real town, for final packing and purchases. Our last hotel bed and food for several weeks.

26-Jun	We jump in the jeeps and ride the road to Askole. About 60 miles and 7 hours. There are hot springs along the way, but we won't get to stop at them. The best part-no more vehicles and we're sleeping above 3000 meters.
27-Jun	The first day's trek leads along the Braldu River, past a couple of irrigated areas on the other side of the river. We cross the snout of the Biafo glacier, a major glacier that runs over 30 miles into the mountains. After a seemingly long day we turn and walk along a side river for a mile, cross it on a bridge, and walk back to the developed campsite at Jhula.
28-Jun	More walking along the Braldu all day until we reach the green terraces of Paiju, another campsite that has been developed to help keep the area clean. Sinks, toilets, and amazing views. Altitude : 3480 M.
29-Jun	Rest & acclimatization day at Paiju. Hopefully it won't be raining.
30-Jun	Finally we get up onto the Baltoro Glacier. After walking for a long time we get to the trekker's camp, which is just our lunch spot. We then trudge up and down endless morainal humps to reach the grassy slopes of Urdukas. If we're lucky we can see the Trango group. A tough day.
1-Jul	A long walk on the icy Baltoro Glacier. We traverse the Yermanandu Glacier which flows down from Masherbrum & joins the Baltoro. Magnificent views of Muztagh, Mitre & Gasherbrum IV unless it's foggy/snowy, in which case you can't see anything. Overnight at Goro-2 campsite.
2-Jul	Another day's walk on the Baltoro Glacier to a point called Concordia - a huge junction of Baltoro, Abruzzi & Godwin Austin Glaciers at over 4000 meters. Stunning viewpoints, including K2, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum IV.
3-Jul	Final day of trek to Broad Peak base. A 3-4 hour trek gets us to the base of Broad Peak and Base Camp. It looks to be about an hour walk!
4-Jun	It's time to climb! We're at about 4900m on a medial moraine. We stay here until August 1st.