Gasherbrum II Expedition
Overview
The Karakoram Region is one of the most extreme mountaineering regions in the world with four eight-thousanders out of fourteen. Gasherbrum II is the thirteenth-highest peak in the world which magnificently lies on the border between Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan and Xinjiang of China administered by Pakistan. The 8,035m elevated peak is worldly renowned as the second highest peak in the Gasherbrum group after Gasherbrum I and “K4” named by the British surveyor, Thomas George Montgomerie in 1856 while he was partaking in The Great Trigonometric Survey in India. On the other hand, the Balti people beg to differ; the mountain has its own ancient name with a remarkable meaning formed with two different words: “rgasha” meaning beautiful, and “brum” meaning mountain.
A group of an international expedition led by Swiss, Guinter Oskar Dyhrenfurth was one of the firsts to explore the Gasherbrum Massif in 1934 but failed to reach the summits of both Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. However, the peak was firstly summited by a courageous group of Austrians, Fritz Moravec, Josef Larch, and Hans Willenpart on July 7, 1956. Despite an avalanche during their climb which led to a scarcity of their food supplies, they were able to ascend and experience the summit of Gasherbrum II successfully. Moreover, this exquisite mountain has been successfully climbed in winter as well. A team of Cory Richards, Urubuko, and Simone Moro were the first to experience the summit in winter despite an enormous avalanche without the aid of porters and supplementary oxygen.
Propitiously, the mountain is considered one of the easiest eight-thousanders to ascend. Gasherbrum II could be the right peak for mountain enthusiasts who are initiating a mountaineering career. More than 930 successful ascents with 21 deaths have been recorded so far resulting 2% fatality rate. Over the past years, the mountain has been skied, parachuted, and snowboarded from the summit as it offers a great level of safety and convenience to the climbers. On the same page, this expedition on an eight-thousander is undoubtedly a lifetime experience that gifts some marvelous views of Baltoro Glacier, Muztagh Tower, Masherbrum, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV, and the impregnable K2. However, one requires an excellent level of psychological potency and physicality to stand glorious on its summit.
The best season to climb Broad Gasherbrum II:
The most favorable season to climb is summer. Most of the ascents have been accomplished in July and August as they are the warmest months of the year. The expedition to the summit of Gasherbrum II is more gratifying in these months than in winter.
Day 1 Arrival in Islamabad & Transfer to the Hotel
Hotel
Day 2 Fly from Islamabad to Skardu (2,228m)
Breakfast
Hotel
Day 3 Rest in Skardu
Breakfast
Hotel
Day 4 Rest Day in Skardu: Expedition Briefing and Preparation
Breakfast
Hotel
Day 5 Drive from Skardu to Askole (2,600m)
B/L/D
Tent
Day 6 Trek from Askole to Jhola (3,185m)
B/L/D
Tent
Day 7 Trek from Jhola to Paiyu (3,383m)
B/L/D
Tent
Day 8 Rest day in Paiyu
B/L/D
Tent
Day 9 Trek from Paiyu to Urdukas (4,130m)
B/L/D
Tent
Day 10 Trek from Urdukas to Goro II (4,250m)
B/L/D
Tent
Day 11 Trek from Goro II to Shagharing (4,530m)
B/L/D
Tent
Day 12 Trek from Shagharing to G II Basecamp (5,000m)
B/L/D
Tent
Day 13-33 Rotation: [Basecamp – Rotation (Camp I, Camp II and Camp III) – Basecamp]
Full Board
Tent
Day 34-41 Climbing Period [Base Camp – Gasherbrum 2 Summit (8,611m) – Base Camp]
Full Board
Tent
Day 42 Cleaning Up Basecamp: Preparation for descending back
B/L/D
Tent
Day 43 Trek from Basecamp to Goro II
B/L/D
Tent
Day 44 Trek from Goro II to Khuburtze
B/L/D
Tent
Day 45 Trek from Khuburtze to Mundung
B/L/D
Tent
Day 46 Trek from Mundung to Askole
B/L/D
Hotel
Day 47 Drive from Askole to Skardu
B/L
Hotel
Day 48 Leisure day in Skardu (De-briefing at Ministry)
Breakfast
Hotel
Day 49 Fly from Skardu to Islamabad & transfer to the Hotel
Breakfast
Hotel
Day 50 Transfer to the International Airport for final departure
Breakfast
Includes
- Arrival and Departure at Islamabad Airport (pick up and drop off)
- Four nights hotel stay in Islamabad with Bed & Breakfast basis at a four-star hotel and a four-night hotel stay in Skardu in a two-star normal category hotel with BB Plan.
- Expedition royalty and a permit from the Pakistan government to climb Gasherbrum II including the member, climbing Sherpa, and working crew
- The cost for liaison officer with his/her salary, equipment, transport and accommodation is included
- The cost includes garbage management fees
- Medical & emergency rescue insurance for all involved staff during the expedition.
- Domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu and Skardu to Islamabad after the expedition. However, irregular cancellation of the flight to Skardu will be substituted with a drive to Skardu via Chellas. Jeep drive from Skardu to Askole and Askole to Skardu.
- All the necessary expedition equipment transpiration will be transported via air from Kathmandu to Islamabad and Islamabad to Skardu by truck. Skardu to Askole and Askole to Skardu by Jeep. Askole to Base camp and base camp to Askole by the porter.
- Up to 75 Kgs personal luggage will be permitted
- Food during the trek and during the full period of the expedition. Well-managed camp set during the trek, at base camp, and to the higher camps.
- All necessary camping equipment.
- Necessary porters to the loads.
- Needed base camp staff along with chef and kitchen boys.
- All the associated staff’s salary, accommodation, meal, and other services will be included
- Each member of the expedition will be facilitated with a personal tent during the trek and at base camp and sharing tent to the higher camps. The tent will be of the Kailash brand. All other required base camp equipment along with heater, generator, solar panel, electric charging devices, dining, communication, shower, and toilet tents.
- Important rope fixing gear and its charges to be paid to the fixing team.
- One high-altitude Climbing Sherpa will be hired as he will be a Gasherbrum II Summiteer. He will be paid a good salary and allowance along with his transportation.
- Six bottles of Summit Oxygen (4ltrs) for each member and 3 bottles for climbing Sherpa with including a mask and a regulator set will be facilitated.
- All the required high camp services with high foods and tents.
- Thuraya IP Satellite internet will be accessible at base camp but subject to pay an extra sharing with other members. A satellite phone will be used for an emergency call.
- Walkie Talkie set to each member will be given for exchanging information to the base camp and to the higher camps.
- Team members will be updated about the weather forecast each day with the help of Swiss Weather Meteorology.
- Comprehensive medical kit.
Excludes
- International airfare of the member
- Pakistan entry visa fees
- Lunch and dinner during stay in Islamabad and Skardu
- Extra nights hotel stays in Islamabad and Skardu
- Emergency evacuation insurance and medical cover insurance of the member
- Personal Climbing gears
- Sherpa Summit Bonus: USD 2000 bonus for each climbing Sherpa
- Tips: Tips for Cooking staff and port
