The K2 West Face: Honoring the Historic 1981 First Ascent of K2 by Nazir Sabir and Ohtani
“Then l thought we humans are often on the mercy of the forces of nature and we can only beg to be allowed to creep up the slopes of these heavenly places to merely spend few moments up there. It is very ignorant of the egoistic individuals to refer to conquering any mountain. These places […]
Honoring Unsung Local Heroes: Meherban Karim and Jehan Baig of Shimshal Valley
K2 8611m, also called savage mountain, South Face view from Concordia On the 17th anniversary of the 2008 K2 Tragedy, we pay tribute to the legacy of two brave Pakistani mountaineers whose lives were lost on the world’s most perilous mountain, far from the recognition they rightfully deserved. Shimshal Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan — Tucked away in […]
Laura Dahlmeier, a double Olympic champion died in a mountaineering accident in Pakistan
German biathlete Laura Dahlmeier, 31, who had won two Olympic gold medals, died tragically in a mountaineering accident on Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range’s Laila Peak. She was ascending at about 5,700 meters on July 28, 2025, when she got hit by falling rocks. On July 30, 2025, her management team and the Alpine Club of […]
Olympic Champion Laura Dahlmeier Gravely Injured on Laila Peak; Karakoram Conditions Worsen
“Climbing in the Karakoram is Challenging” – Climate Change Influences Mountain Hazards A tragic event has once again impacted the mountaineering community as Laura Dahlmeier, a former Olympic biathlon champion from Germany, has sustained critical injuries on Laila Peak (6,069 m) within the Karakoram range. Dahlmeier, aged 31, was struck by a severe rockfall on […]
One Year Later: Remembering Kazuya Hiraide and the Final Climb on K2’s West Face
“Yes, I have a dream… the West Face of K2.” — Kazuya Hiraide, 2023 It’s been a year since we lost Japanese climbers Kazuya Hiraide and Kenro Nakajima on K2’s less-climbed West Face while they were tackling a bold new route alpine style. On July 27, 2024, the two disappeared into the unforgiving silence of […]
Himalayan Rocks: A New Climbing Bible for the Roof of the World
The majestic Himalayas, long celebrated for their grandeur and enigmatic allure, now have a definitive rock climbing guidebook that truly covers the climbing landscape in the entire Karakoram-Himalaya. Himalayan Rocks, the latest work by esteemed German alpinist and geographer Kai Maluck, was launched during a public presentation at The Black Hole, Islamabad, which attracted […]
Hunzai Mountaineer Shah Doulat Conquers Gasherbrum I, Eyes on Broad Peak Next
Photo: Shah Doulat at Camp 3 G-I, source his instagram profile Hunza, July 20, 2025 — Shah Doulat, a high-altitude mountaineer from the remote village of Shimshal in Hunza, successfully summited Gasherbrum I (8,080 m) at 11:00 AM today, according to an update shared on his official Instagram profile. The ascent adds the eleventh-highest peak […]
Trekking Guide: Kilik & Mintika Passes — Where Three Empires Meet
Elevation: ~4500m | Region: Misgar, Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan Trek to Where Three Empires Meet Hidden at the edge of the Karakoram and the Pamirs, the trek to Kilik and Mintika Passes is not just a physical journey, but a historical passage through the crossroads of empires, intrigue, and ancient trade. Here, the frontiers of British […]
Denis Urubko and Maria Cardell, Russion couple Open New Route on Nanga Parbat in Alpine Style
Renowned Russian mountaineer Denis Urubko and his spouse Maria Cardell. In a noteworthy and uncommon achievement in contemporary high-altitude mountaineering, renowned Russian mountaineer Denis Urubko and his spouse Maria Cardell successfully ascended Nanga Parbat (8,126m), finishing the ascent in alpine fashion and creating a new route via the Diamir Face. Without using additional oxygen, the […]
Nanga Parbat Success: Local Climbers Make Their Mark
Remarkable news from the Himalayas! In the past 24 hours, five Pakistani climbers have triumphantly reached the summit of Nanga Parbat (8,125m), one of the most challenging and perilous mountains on the planet. Summiters: • Sohail Sakhi (Aliabad, Hunza) • Ashraf Sadpara (Skardu) • Ali Hassan (Hushe, Ghanche) • Shehzad Karim (Hunza) • Dr. Rana […]