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 Pakistan 2009 - Part 6 - Map for this journey



northern pakistan
k2 trek
BH trek map
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.


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