Heavy Snows in Pakistan

[Dechristo]

Expeditions to Pakistan this summer can expect difficult and dangerous snow

conditions, as the mountains in this area received exceptional snowfall over the

winter. Greg Mortenson of the Central Asia Institute reports that at least 800

civilians and army personnel were killed by avalanches in the Karakoram, Hindu

Kush and Kashmir mountains. Mortenson added that he saw more snow in Afghanistan

than he had witnessed in 29 previous trips to the region since 1993. The

Pakistan Meterological Department has issued a warning to mountaineers,

especially around K2, Broad Peak, Nanga Parbat, G1 and G2.

 

In other news from Pakistan, the government agreed May 27 to continue its

current policy of requiring no peak fee or liaison officer for mountains up to

6,500 meters.