Id love to see the base camp of K-2 ... and climb some 6000 feet summit... what do u think it will cost me?
Also can u kindly tell me the best places to visit there?
I have heard alot abt rakaposhi,fairy meadows,deosai,hunza,chilla,besham,etc....
Sir have you had any trekking or climbing experience? For this postim going to assume that you dont. Please correctme if you do:
K-2 base camp is a very serious matter. The trek alone from Askole to the base camp will take 8-9 days of very difficult trekking. The base camp sits at more than 5500 meters high. That is some serious altitude. In the winters id dare not try it. Also it will cost you allot. My last estimate overran 50k per person. Iv planned for it twice and both the times Iv had to abandon it due to cost over runs and logistical issues. Its my ultimate dream. The second time I changed the destination to Snow Lake which too ended in failure after 5 days of trekking because one of the fellows i was with dislocated his shoulder. IMHO you should leave it for some time latter.
Now if you meant a 6000
feet summit then sir even in the valleys you'l be above that height. Skardu is at around 7500 feet and it sits at the bottom of the valley. If you meant 6000
meters then that is a very serious and daunting task again. Especially in the winters. Iv tried three 5000 meter peaks in the winters and Iv failed two of them (one by only 60 meters). Once we were stuck in Khaplu for two days because the local authorities deemed it too difficult for us to climb HomBroq peak (around 5800 meters) in the winters. It was only after we had proved them that we had climbed Saling Peak (5080 meters) in the winter of the previous year that they allowed us the attempt. In short climbing 4000 meters and above is serious business. At these altitudes physical strength doesn't count for much. Its all about experience, technique and sheer mental resolve. Another thing which makes climbing more difficult than usual in these parts is the sheer gradient. Our Karakorum has the most precipitous mountains in the world. They just shoot straight up. I have a climb planned for Manglik Sar (6050 meters) coming January and even though its one of the easiest six thousanders in Pakistan im still scared as hell. Again id humbly suggest that you reconsider.
Now for my suggestion id advise you something simpler. One thing you can do is pick any major town up north e.g. Skardi, Gilgit, Karimabad, etc. The drive to these places alone will blow your mind away. Ill post this in detail so that everyone gets to know about the trips. This is going to be very long! Sorry :p
1) Skardu:
Firstly the road connecting Skardu with the KKH is breath taking with views of many high peaks along the way. Secondly you can do allot in Skardu. For example you can go see the hundreds of years old Kharphocho Fort (Skardu fort). Its built on the hill just behind Skardu. On one side its gives you the view of the valley and Skardu right beneath you and on the other side you can see the perma white peaks of Siachin. You can also go see the famouse Skardu desert. Its a sand desert (with dunes and everything) in the middle of snow capped peaks. Then there are the famous lakes around Skardu. You can reach Satpara lake in 30-45 min from Skardu. Its a good place for trout fishing. Then theres the upper Kachura lake and the lower Kachura lake (Shangrila lake). You can take a 2-3 hour jeep ride down to Shangrila lake. Then you can also go further north to Shigar village. Shigar village lies on one of the routes to K2. Its a beautiful place and there it too has an old fort (Shigar fort). Then for a little trekking you can go check out Narsok village. Theres a beautiful spring there. I havent seen the place but iv been told about it by the locals.
Next, if you really want some serious fun, get back in your car and start driving further on the Gilgit Skardu road towards Hushe. Its a good days drive, 10-12 hours. You'l pass through Ghanche village, Barrah village, Khaplu and many other places which are a must see. You'l see trinity peak (6700 meters) on your way too. Hushe valley itself is beautiful! Standing in the middle of the village you'l see Laila Peak (6096 meters) right infront of you.
Hushe village:
Laila Peak:
.
You can spend the night in Hushe or come back. In Hushe and in Skardu you can easily hire a local guide to take you on one of the many day treks available there. The guides there, for such treks, will charge from 1000 to 2000 rupees for a day, depending on your bargaining skills. Thus far iv only barely scratched the surface. There are too many beautiful places there to see. In short no matter where you point your nose and start walking/driving you wont be disapointed.
