Gasherbrum I Expedition
- Activities: Mountaineering
- Country: Pakistan
- Trip Grade: 6++
- Group size: 2-15
- Difficulty:Very Hard
- Departure City: Pakistan
- Trip style: Expedition
- Price:22500
- Best Season: June to August
Overview
Gasherbrum I is worldly renowned as “The Hidden Mountain” which ravishingly lies in the secluded district of Shigar in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The Eleventh Eight Thousander is elevated at 8,080 meters and is a significant part of the Gasherbrum Massif which is also called “The Hidden Mountain” for its remoteness. However, 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 international expeditions led by Swiss Guinter Oskar Dyhrenfurth were the first to explore the Gasherbrum Massif in 1934 but failed to reach the summits of both Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. Eventually, the fifth peak of the Karakoram Region was first ascended by Pete Schoening and Andy Kauffman on July 5, 1958, who were the members of an eight-man-American Expedition team led by Nicholas B.Clinch. The mountain was first discovered by the British surveyor, Thomas George Montgomerie in 1856 while he was partaking in The Great Trigonometric Survey in India who also named Gasherbrum I as K5 indicating the fifth peak of the Karakoram region.
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. Gasherbrum I could be a demanding mountaineering experience for those who desire to speculate their highest ability. Despite being the eleventh highest peak of the world, one shall not underestimate its rigor. It is an extremely challenging climb because of its unique geographical formation with only less than 200 successful ascents have been recorded so far. Thus, it is not a convenient climb and requires an excellent level of psychological potency and physicality that one must have to stand glorious on its summit.
The best season to climb Broad Gasherbrum I:
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 I is more gratifying in these months than winter. However, the first winter ascent to the summit was accomplished by Adam Bielecki and Janusz Golab from Poland on March 9, 2012, without any supplementary oxygen marking an extraordinary history.
Day 01 Arrive Islamabad, transfer to hotel
Day 02 Islamabad- briefing at ministry of tourism about Gsherbrum I route
Day 03 Drive to Chilas, transfer to hotel for overnight
Day 04 Drive to Skardu, overnight at hotel
Day 05 Skardu- preparations
Day 06 Drive to Thongal/Askole, overnight camp
Day 07 Trek to Korofong, overnight camp
Day 08 Trek to Chobraqk, overnight camp
Day 09 Trek to Paiju, overnight camp
Day 10 Trek to Urdukas, overnight camp
Day 11 Trek to Goro, overnight camp
Day 12 Trek to Concordia, overnight camp
Day 13 Trek to Sharing, overnight camp
Day 14 Trek to Base Camp
Day 15-40 Reserved for climbing Gasherbrum I
Day 41 Trek back to Sharing, overnight camp
Day 42 Trek back to Concordia, overnight camp
Day 43 Trek to Ali camp overnight camp
Day 44 Trek to Low Camp via the Gondogoro Pass
Day 45 Trek to Dalsang Pa overnight camp
Day 46 Trek to Hushe, overnight camping
Day 47 Drive to Skardu, overnight at hotel
Day 48 Skardu- relax at Skardu
Day 49 Drive to Chilas, overnight at hotel
Day 50 Drive to Islamabad, overnight camp
Day 51 Islamabad- debriefing at Ministry of Tourism
Day 52 Final Departure
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 four-night hotel stay in Skardu in two-star normal category hotel with BB Plan.
- Expedition royalty and permit from the Pakistan government to climb Mt. Gasherbrum I including the member, climbing Sherpa, and working crew
- The cost for liaison officer with his/her salary, equipment, transport and accommodation will is included
- The cost includes garbage management fees
- Medical & emergency rescue insurance for all involved staffs 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 porter.
- Up to 75 Kgs personal luggage will be permitted
- Food during the trek and during 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 staffs along with chef and kitchen boys.
- All the associated staffs 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, dinning, 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 I Summiteer. He will be paid good salary and allowance along with his transportation.
- Six bottles 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. Satellite phones will be used for emergency calls.
- 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
