Col. Sher Khan, the Mountain Lion: A Forgotten Lead Climber
Col. Sher Khan’s (Retd) journey was not only defined by the conquest of summits but also by the fulfillment of a legacy—one that is etched in the grand shape of Rakaposhi. This mountain had determined his destiny long before he initially crossed its slopes. Sher Khan narrates; “I would like to say that Rakaposhi, my […]
The K2 Betrayal: When Hunza Tigers Missed the First Ascent of K2
The mountaineering community has overlooked the significant roles played by indigenous climbers, such as the Sherpas, Hunzokutz, and Baltis, during the Himalayan and Karakoram expeditions. Unlike many Western climbers who sought national prestige and global recognition in the race to be the first to summit, mountain communities in the Karakoram and Himalayas participated in early […]
From Gilgit’s Liberation to the Peaks of the Karakoram — Honoring Shah Khan on Gilgit Mutiny Day
Shah Khan is in his retirement age from the military. Photo Pamir times From Soldier to Mountaineer Today, on Gilgit Mutiny Day, we remember a pivotal moment in history—the uprising on November 1, 1947, when local scouts and officers courageously rose against the Dogra rulers and aligned Gilgit-Baltistan with Pakistan. Among the heroes of that […]
Reinhold Messner Returns to Pakistan: A Homecoming to the Heart of the Karakoram
Reinhold Messner and Diane Schumacher wearing Balti attire in Baltistan, Karakoram. Photo source: Explore K2 Pakistan During the early week of October, the renowned mountaineer Reinhold Messner made his return to Pakistan—a country that has profoundly influenced both his climbing career and his personal identity. His visit spanned from the Baltistan region to Hunza Valley, […]
The Oscar of Mountaineering: Piolet d’Or 2024 — Golden Ice Axe Highlights from the Karakoram
The Piolet d’Or, or Golden Ice Axe, celebrates the year’s most outstanding alpine-style ascents — a true “Oscar of mountaineering.” Among the significant first ascents of 2024, eight remarkable climbs from the Karakoram and adjoining ranges have been featured, showcasing the region’s growing status as a global arena for elite alpinists. From the first ascent […]
Karakoram Basecamp Participation in the International Mountain Conference (IMC 2025), Innsbruck
Date: 16 September 2025 Venue: Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Austria Overview Members of Karakoram Basecamp actively participated in the International Mountain Conference (IMC 2025), which took place in Innsbruck, Austria, from 14–18 September. This conference served as a global platform uniting scientists, policymakers, mountaineers, youth leaders, and community representatives to discuss the future of mountains […]
Karim Shah Nizari (1986 – 23 September 2025): A Pioneer of Pakistani Rock Climbing and Mountain Voice
Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan — Karim Shah Nizari, a pioneering figure in Pakistan’s adventure sports and an outspoken voice for the mountains, passed away today, reportedly due to a heart attack. He was 39. Born in 1986 in the Yasin Valley of Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan, Nizari’s life was defined by his deep connection to the mountains and his […]
Beyond the Alps: The Untold Story of Hassan Najjarian, Iran’s Pioneer Solo Climber and First Iranian to Summit Mt. Everest
In August 1997, high within Pakistan’s Karakoram range, Mohammad Hassan Najjarian reached the summit of Gasherbrum II, standing at 8,035 meters above sea level. This achievement positioned him within the annals of Himalayan history; however, outside of Iran, his name went largely unrecognized. In the sphere of Western mountaineering, legends frequently emerge from the ridges […]
Climbing Guide; “Bitan Fissure” – The Shaman Crack on Hoon Chhish, Hunza
In July 2025, Hélias Millerioux, Medhubidault, Muiz Uddin, and Adnan Khan Jaturie, in Karimabad, the heart of the Hunza Valley, open a new trad climbing route on the southeast ridge of Hoon Chhish above Malikamo Shikari, near the viewpoint on the waterfall of the Murku water channel. locally, the name of the climbing spot is […]
The Restless Giant: Unraveling the Mysteries of Shishper Glacier in Pakistan’s Hunza Valley
“This great workshop of primaeval forces where nature seems to exert her supremest energy” George Nathaniel Curzon’s depiction of the Hunza landscape remains hauntingly accurate when observing the Shishper Glacier’s behavior. The Hasanabad Glacier system, with its twin arms Muchuhur (western basin) and Shishper (eastern basin) descending dramatically from peaks exceeding 7,300 meters, epitomizes glacial […]
Tamgha-i-Pakistan Awardee Conquers Unclimbed Cherireen Sar in Karakoram
Following a series of persistently adverse weather conditions that thwarted their initial objective of achieving the first ascent of Kurdophin Sar, Tyrolean alpinist Lukas Wörle and Slovenian elite climber Aleš Česen devised an audacious alternative plan, as reported by Der Standard. Upon their arrival at the base of Kurdophin Sar, they found the summit ridge […]
“Holy Mountains: The Importance of Indigenous Practices in the Age of Climate Change”
Masood´s Presentation on Holy Mountains and the importance of indigenous practices in the age of climate change at Afro-Asiatic Institute in Salzburg Austria. Photo: Afro-Asiatic Institute Salzburg Indigenous communities in the Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalaya (HKH) region hold profound spiritual connections with their natural environment. Traditions such as glacier grafting (merging black and white glaciers), ritualistic irrigation ceremonies […]