Skardu Travel Forum

Can anybody out there can tell me breifly about his/her visit to base camp of K2.
Like what are the main tourist attraction in the way and what are the hurdles etc...

Hi!

I don't have all that long to spend online right now but I thought I get in touch as I did the trip to K2 Base Camp in 2001. It was a sensational trip and I have quite a bit of info and tips on my Skardu and Hushe pages if you are interested.

In terms of the logistics of trekking to K2 Base Camp you will basically need to go with a professional outfit as you need to have proper trekking permits and the local expertise of the guides. I went with an outfit called Adventure Travel Pakistan (a local Pakistani company) and they were great. In terms of the trek you can do it one of two ways.

1) Either you can trek up the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia and K2 Base camp and return via the same route back down the galcier.

OR

2) You can make the same trek to Concordia and then instead of returning via the same way, you can trek out via the Gondogoro La. This is a more technical way to go and takes you over a 5500m pass. You will need rope skills and need to know how to travel over crevasses, to rappel and to undertake basic ice-axe skills.

I did it via Gondogoro and undertook all the training in Australia before I left for Pakistan - unfortunately this was limited to classroom style theoretical training and non-ice based rope work but it was sufficient for the pass crossing.

With a professional trekking company the logistics of transport to and from the trek, food and camp sites are looked after for you. You will also be able to use the services of porters which will be a big help particularly at higher atitudes. That said, you will need some careful packing to ensure that you have all the little things and are comfortable.

You should also ensure that you are fit and healthy for the trek by doing quite a few treks before hand. Another issue would be the choice and use of boots. You will need boots that can take crampons if you cross Gondogoro and you will need very sturdy boots for walking on the glacier anyway. With stiff, sturdy boots like these I recommend buying well in advance and giving yourself plenty of time to "wear them in". Get lots of use out of them and get your feet used to walking extended distances in them....there is nothing worse than blisters out on the glacier! I thought I had done well having mine for a couple of months but really could have done with longer.

Running out of time so I should leave it there, if you need any more tips let me know - it was a little while ago now but the trip is still pretty fresh in mind....views like those are hard to forget!!!

thnx alot dude for such a nice reply for my topic ..... now its crystal clear to me ..... as i belong to that area but i never visit these places where you people come spending lots of money .... now i have planed to go there with my friend.... lets hope for the best