No! it’s not the all so famous strip of Las-Vegas, but is located on the foot of one of the most raddest mountain-zones on earth. A barren strip of rocks and neve’ where temperature is normally scorching hot during the day and drops well below freezing at night. Air is thin and oxygen is in short supply than normal. It’s located on the Godwin-Austin glacier in the Karakoram range of Pakistan.
Every year, from April to September, it comes to life. During the peak season one could see tents with the sattelite antenas on top, stretching for over a mile housing some of the world’s elite climbers. It serves as a base-camp to numerous expeditions which come from around the globe to embark on only one goal; to tame the world’s most Killer mountain K-2. Soaring to the height of 28,500 ft, every route on K-2 is a jackpot. Perhaps, truly crowning any mountaineer’s climbing career.
But in the mountaineering world there’s a famous saying * Only the mountain decides he who is welcomed on its terrain *. Less than 200 people have summitted K-2, after it was first conquered in 1954 by an Italian team, as compare to over 1000 who have reached the top of the world, summit of Mount Everest. Numerous have died while striving to reach the top of the world’s most difficult summit.
I have traveled extensively through the Northern mounainous areas of Pakistan but haven’t been to this fascinating place. I have read so much about it that I can just close my eyes find myself there. I am planning to go in the summer of 2001.
How to Get to ‘The Strip’ (K-2’s Base-Camp):
Since, you’ll be hiking to about 16,000 ft and above, there’s a certain degree of physical fitness requirement. One should be familiar with the usage of basic mountaineering gear i.e harness, ropes and crampons.
Catch a flight from Islamabad to Skardu, or you can take a more scenic route by driving on the Karakoram Highway alongside river Indus.
It is highly reccomended to hire local guides. The first leg of hike is from Skadru to Askole on the sandy banks of Braldu river, second part is a rubble covered hike along Baltoro glacier. It takes about eight to ten days of hiking to reach ‘The Strip’ from Skardu. First glimpse of K-2 can be caught from Concordia: The meeting point of Baltoro glacier and Godwin-Austin glacier.
Best time to travel to this region is April-Septemeber. Hotels of Skardu are packed with thrill seekers, who are there to fullfill there quest for adventure by climbing.
[This message has been edited by outlaw (edited August 31, 2000).]