Biafo Hispar Snow Lake
- Trekking
| Arrival Location | Islamabad |
| Departure Location | Islamabad |
| Best Season | June to October |
| Max Altitude | 3000m to 5290m |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Days | 22 |
Biafo & Hispar Glaciers have a total length of 126 km and are the longest of their kind outside of the Polar Regions. They meet at the 5,150 m high Hispar Pass. This immense highway of ice and rock connects the antique kingdoms of Nagar in the West and Askoli (little Tibet) in the East.
This route was extensively used to connect the Silk Route with the Indian Sub-Continent, China and Tibet. Mr. H.W. Tilman, an English trekker, claimed in 1937 that he had seen the footprints of Yeti on the glacier.
The same way served the people of Hunza to invade Askoli. Later it was used as a more progressive way between Hunza and Askoli and the people of Hunza came over to Askoli to play Polo with them.
This life-long trekking experience ends at the beautiful Hunza Valley, the Valley of Eternal Youth and home of the most progressive people compared with other parts of the Northern Areas. The people of Hunza are known for their longevity. In Karimabad we visit Altit and Baltit Fort and enjoy the unforgettable view from the roof-top of Baltit on Rakaposhi and Diran. Glaciologists after conducting tests on the Snow Lake confirmed that the thickness of snow is one mile. Here one can observe the rare species of animals in abundance like Snow Leopards, Himalayan Bears, Ibex, Markhore and some times the Marco Polo Sheep.
Itinerary
We set off northwards of the Shigar valley to Askole, which used to be the end of the road, where we leave our jeeps and we start walking. The last part of this jeep road may be in a bad state of repairs and it may be necessary to start walking a little before Askole. camping. Overnight in tents. Approx. 7/8 hrs.
Trek to Mango along the Biafo glacier. Much of the walking will be done on the glacier or its fringe and all human habitation is quickly left behind in this desolated landscape. Trekking in the heart of Biafo Glacier we will reach Mungo, where yak herders from Askole live during the summer. It has beautiful green grassy grounds . Camp at Mango (3650 M). Approx. 3/4 hrs.
Latok group of Peaks are Latok I is 7145m, Latok II is 7108m Its west face first ascent made by Toni Gutsch, Alex and Thomas Huber in 1997 (a recent Italian expedition surveyed the Latok peaks and measured Latok II higher than Latok I),Latok III 6940m, Latok IV 6456m, Latok IV SE Ca6450m. The other peaks close by are Choktoi 6166m, Baintha Brakk SE 6960m, 7285m middle, Orge Thumb / Lukphila Brakk 5500m, Spaldang 5590m, Biacherahi Towers 5900m. Big Wall is the nature phenomenon, a precipice which has a steep more than 70 degree and the length more than a kilometer. There are 20 Big Wall in the World and Latok is one among them. Latok peaks are mixture of ice and rock climbing. Not all of Latok Peaks faces are climb, there is plenty of opportunity for adventure lovers to come and make their first ascent. In 1999 the Huber brothers from Germany made the second ascent on Latok IV south 6450m in one day they also climb Latok II.
Baintha is the local name for Ogre, this is an easy day walking on the glacier. Hispar Pass can be viewed while walking. Enjoy spectacular views of Latok groups of Peaks including Latok 1 (7,145 m), Latok 2 (7,108 m) along the trek. The track follows the ablation valley past a small lake, then heads out across the lateral crevasses to the smooth white center of Biafo glacier Biantha campsite is grassy area with clear stream flowing through dense willow shrubs surrounded by Himalayan flowers. Sir Martin Conway one of early exploratory visitors camped here in 1892. Baintha camp is at 4000m above sea level. Approx. 4/6 hrs.
Free day for acclimatization.
We have a free day for acclimatization at Baintha. Camping
The first hour of the trek is lovely walk along the ablation valley, crossing many small lakes surrounded by willow bushes and wild flowers. This area is habitat of bears and Himalayan Ibex, as you can guess from their droppings along the trek. Once on the glacier the walk is gradual climb over smooth ice. In case of fresh snow on the glacier, we must rope up and walk with a flying belay. Enjoy challenging views of Sosbun Brakk (6.418 m). camp at 4400 meters. Approx. 7/8 hrs.
This a steady walk on snow covered ice. Today we shall rope up to avoid the danger of snow bridged crevasses. You are on the edge of Snow Lake. This lake has depth of I mile as per the latest research. Pre-dawn departure from the camp will enable us walk firmly over the soft snow on the medial moraine. After two hours steady plod we arrive at the intersection of Sim-gang glacier with Snow lake. We camp at around 4,780 meters, at the western border of Snow Lake close to Hispar Pass. Approx. 2/3 hrs.
Optional walk to explore the vast snow lake from where several treks lead to Shimshal. We may come across the rare species of snow leopard here. The name Snow lake was given by martin Conway in 1892, who has given dramatic account of this place in his book ?”Climbing expeditions in Karakorum – Himalayan”. Eric Shipton in 1937 had estimated the present size of the Snow Lake 77sq. Km.
Setting out at first light we cross the vast expanse of Snow Lake before starting a gradual ascent to our camp on the Hispar La.
Early morning departure from the camp for climbing the pass. Gaiters are essential as snow can be deep even in the morning. We walk in single file with rope between us. The route passes through the center with giant crevasses and striped, greenish blue seracs on either side. The view of Snow lake from the top of Hispar pass 5,151 m, inspires feeling of wide open snowy place. Numerous glaciers emerge from the Snow lake and disappear between nameless Virgin Karakoram peaks. The Highest of these peaks is Baintha Brakk (7,285 m) also called Ogre, first for Chris Bonington and Doug Scott in 1977. On the other side of the pass, snow covered Hispar glacier stretches as far as eye can see, with white pyramid of Workmann Peak (19,300 ft.) in North. We descend down and camp on the northern moraine of glacier, at 4580 m. Descending to Khanibasa again requires you to be roped. Approx. 7/8 hrs.
Soon after walking from the camp we cross Khanobasa glacier that takes around one and a half hour. Enjoy spectacular views of Kanjut Sar (7,700 m), the 29th highest peak in the world. Now trek follows lateral moraine with exciting views across to the hanging glaciers and frequent avalanches on the southern ice walls. Yutmaru at 4330 meters is a flat sheltered field in ablation valley, surrounded by willow bushes and flowers. It also offers a fine view in east of the Hispar Pass and Balchish range running from there to west. Approx. 5/6 hrs.
An hour’s easy walk through ablation valley brings us to Yutmaru glacier, that takes around two hours to traverse – with high ice walls and deep crevasses to negotiate. Once across the glacier, we climb up steeply over the cliff with a panoramic views back to Hispar Pass. As we descend along trek, we have views of Kunyan Chish Range(7,852 m), the 22nd highest peak in the world. The Pumari chish glacier flowing south from this mighty mountain has been pushed forward towards Hispar glacier since 1988. Walking on a path 100 meters above Hispar glacier, we arrive at our campsite at 3902 m. Approx. 6/7 hrs.
Our campsite Bitanmal in ablation valley, is a wide open summer pasture surrounded by willows and flowers. In summer the shepherds from Hispar village come to live here with their herds of goats, sheep and Yaks. A perfect place to rest.
A lovely and relaxing walk through green pastures in the ablation valley past willow and cedar shrubs and herds of goats, sheep, cattle and donkeys. Soon we come across the south bank of Hispar river, a wide alluvial fan rippling in terraces down to a cliff above Hispar river. We cross a wooden bridge over the river and climb steeply to enter Hispar village, a combination of mud houses, apricot, willow & poplar trees, and fields of wheat, peas, beans – and always present wild poppies and marijuana. After spending some time here, we walk for another hour to our camp close by the roaring river at 3,200 meters. Approx. 5/6 hrs.
In the morning there is a possibility we walk for two hours through the dry landscape to Huru settlement in case the road is blocked between Huru and Hispar villages. Board soft top 4×4 jeeps for short ride to Karimabad., the capital of Hunza valley, off the Karakoram Highway heading to China. You are never short of views here. Enjoy spectacular views of Rakaposhi (7,788 m ), Ultar 1 (7,388 m) Ultar 2, and Golden Peak. Afternoon free, meals and overnight at Hunza View Hotel. (2 hours trek & 3 hours by jeep). Full Board, all meals included
Day free at Karimabad to explore the valley and visit the Baltit and Altit forts. Altit & Baltit forts are the landmarks of the times when Hunza was a well sought after staging post on the Karakoram Branch of the Silk Route. The frost were erected by the locals of safeguard themselves against the invaders coming mostly from Central Asia, over the high passes.
Early in the morning we drive towards Chilas, on our way we will visit the Rock carvings near Chilas Thalpan after short visit of Rock carvings we will continue to Chilas. Drive 4 to 5 hr. Overnight in Hotel.
Today we have to wake up early in the morning as our distance is long, we will have breakfast and drive via Babusar pass (4 173m ) we will take a short stop and then continue our journey further. We will take our lunch break at Naran which is very popular touristic destination summer destination in Pakistan. After we will continue towards Islamabad. Overnight in Hotel.
