Trip report for K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La treks (Pakistan) in July 2022

In July 2022 we organised our 12th & 13th treks to K2 Base Camp in Pakistan since 2006. Our first departure this Summer was a private group to K2 Base Camp & Concordia led by Natalie Wilson. Our second group was our open departure group for K2 Base Camp & Concordia and K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La. Their leader was Rachel Ashwell. Seven members went with Rachel out over the Gondogoro La high pass to Hushe village. The rest of them trekked to K2 Base Camp and then walked back down the Baltoro. We also had two trekkers that split off and walked up to the Gasherbrum Base Camps.

As ever the welcome in Pakistan this Summer was very warm and friendly. We are grateful for the hard work from our team in Islamabad and Baltistan. A heartfelt "Shukriya" (thank you in Urdu) to our Pakistani guides, cooks, and porters. In Rachel’s group, we would like to say thanks to Hussain, Bashir (Gondogoro La guide), Shabbir (Baltoro guide). In Natalie’s group, thanks goes to Akbar Hussain, Akbar Ali, and Zulphi.

There was heavy rain and flash flooding in the northern areas of Pakistan in early July. This caused damage to bridges on the jeep track to Askole. Since our last K2 Base Camp trek before the Covid pandemic a new jeep track extends beyond Askole to Jhola camp. However, the heavy rains damaged a bridge after Askole so it was not possible to drive to Jhola. In practice, this did not affect our trip too much but it involved vehicle changes along the way. The Baltis are experienced with dealing with extreme weather conditions. The locals put in new trails such as the one that went over the snout of the Biafo glacier. In several places, they rebuilt bridges to cross the rivers and streams.

With possible delays on the road to Askole and to Jhola, we made a decision to leave Skardu one day early. Our local team in Skardu did a good job in processing the paperwork for the trekking permits. After one night at Concordia Hotel, both of our groups started the jeep drive to Askole. In the end, this extra day was not needed for Rachel’s group. Both her Gondogoro La team and the Baltoro team arrived back in Skardu one day early after the trek.

Natalie sums up her experience leading the K2 Base Camp trek:

“This was an excellent and adventurous trek. All participants reached stunning Concordia then going on to visit Gilkey Memorial and K2 Basecamp before spending a night at Broad Peak Basecamp. Our local guide and crew were absolutely excellent and we were fed so well by Zulphi and his kitchen team.

There were so many highlights on this trip - in particular, we were blessed with amazing weather and vast views day after day. We had unexpected helicopter encounters, saw record-breaking paragliders flying over the highest peaks, watched people make steady progress up K2 and Broad Peak by night. We ate well, laughed a lot. We just loved being out in such a unique environment. It was hot!”