Dogwap

Hail all, I will be doing the K2 Base Camp/Gondogoro La trek in early August with Adventure Travel out of Islamabad. I’m trying to recruit a few people for the 1 August departure because so far, I’m the only one signed up, and at least four people are needed for the trip to go. I’m using this company because a few posters on Thorn Tree (Lonely Planet’s forum) have recommended them and so far my experience has been positive. Plus they are the least expensive outfit that I’ve found. Still, this trip isn’t exactly cheap. The 20-day journey, beginning and ending in Islamabad costs about Euro 849 (approx. $1,110). But you can shave a couple of hundred dollars off the costs by joining the trek in Skardu. The following is a brief description of the trek: The journey starts in Islamabad on August 1st. Four days later, the group arrives at the trailhead (3,000M). From there we ascend the Baltoro Glacier for seven days, passing the Great Trango Tower, Masherbrum, Gasherbrum I - IV, Broad Peak, and finally K2. We’ll then spend two nights at the spectacular Concordia Campsite (4,650M), surrounded by hanging glaciers, vertical faces and the summits of four, 8,000M peaks. From Concordia, most parties retrace their route back to the trailhead. But we'll avoid backtracking by climbing over Gondogoro La and then out the Hushe Valley. After a daytrip from Concordia to K2 Base Camp, we’ll head up the Vigne Glacier to our high camp at Ali (5,010M). Then after breaking camp around midnight, we hike on snow and ice, reaching Gondogoro La (5,940M) for sunrise. After a short break at the pass for photos and congratulations, we descend the steep Gondogoro Glacier to a slightly more comfortable campsite at 4,833M. A couple of days later we reach the trailhead at Hushe. A jeep then takes us down to Skardu where most people will catch a plane back to Islamabad. All in all, the R/T journey from Islamabad will take 20 days with 12 days of actual walking. Since this is part of a longer overland journey for me, I’ll be joining and leaving the group at Skardu. This is a convenient option if you're traveling on the KKH to or from China. The Gondogoro La trek is supposedly one of the most beautiful walks in the world. But it’s also pretty strenuous and experience with crampons is recommended. If you do a fast Google search on K2 or Gondogoro La you will find lots of details on the route. Some particularly good photos can be viewed here . People say that this area is even more scenic than the Kumbu (Everest) region in Nepal. If that’s true, the K2/Gondogoro La Trek will be one AMAZING TRIP! If you’re interested, please contact Adventure Travel or me. Just for the record, I don't work for Adventure Travel. See ya on the high road! Steven

Brad, you got turned down for the mountaineers route? Are you sure they knew you didnt want the Hwy trail?