Biafo Hispar proved to be
exactly as my friend said - both beautiful and hard due to crossing of
side glaciers.This trek is definitely more demanding than K2 Gondogoro
La trek, because there's a good path on K2 all the way. Following the
stone cairns while crossing to side campsites and crossing of side
glaciers on BH trek requires good eyes and constant attention. We met
only 1 group of some 6 trekkers with about 36!!! porters on the trek
this year (plus planned meeting with independent Czech group).
Approximately first day and half and last day and half are completely
in stones on the glacier. Between that, it's mostly open solid glacier
or snow (up from Karpogoro campsite). We spent 18 days in total on this
trek, doing rest day and climbing day at Snow Lake and rest day and
climbing day at Hispar La and going at relaxed pace (we took porters
one per person up to Karpogoro due to some physical problems before the
trek). It is basically possible to do the trek in 11 days as LP
guidebooks says, but these are just bare walking days. But don't forget
to have spare days, you may get stuck in the snow or bad visibility for
1-3 days, especially in higher altitudes. We had very good weather,
only about 1 day of light rain in 18 days.
We did not have problems with the policeman in Askole this year because
we took porters (although not guide). But the other Czech group had to
return from Askole back to Skardu to visit Deputy Commissioner there
and get a permit for independent Biafo Hispar, so get it while you are
still in Skardu if you need it! There were no problems with military
checkpost in Daso this year for our or the other Czech group (here it
is useful to claim that you are with company XY and you are meeting
your guide and porters in Askole as we did this year).
Note that is is possible to buy Coleman type gas canisters in Skardu
mountain shops for convenient cooking on the trek. I recommend to stay
in Dewan Khas hotel in Skardu, it is very clean european style oasis
there, with best restaurant in Skardu and double rooms for 15 USD (can
be shared in 3 as well). If you need to fly back from Skardu do
Islamabad, don't forget to get actual mobile number of PIA sales
manager in Skardu office, the tickets need to be confirmed here (or
it's best to be in Skardu the day before the flight personally and
manage to terrible PIA go or not go headake ...). PIA operates this
flight
in good visibility only and tends to move all people from non-realized
flights to the next flight and people from the next flight to the other
following flight etc. .... very bad habit! So only after the previous
flight either flew or not (definitely) they are able to theoretically
confirm your place for the next day (and practically you fly in good
visibility only). The tickets to Skardu can be bought very cheap (50
usd per flight) as etickets at PIA website. |