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 […]
Alpine-Style Ascent of the Schell Route and Paragliding Descent on Nanga Parbat
Photo: David Göttler’s instgram post Three international climbers have made history on Nanga Parbat, Pakistan’s notorious “Killer Mountain,” by completing a risky ascent and setting records for descents, according to Dawn.com. Between June 21 and 24, German alpinist David Göttler, 47, and his French teammates Tiphaine Duperier and Boris Langenstein climbed the Rupal Face, one […]
Overlooked Local Heroes: Who Were the Hunza Tigers in Nanga Parbat’s First Ascent
It was the 6th attempt in 1953 when K.M. Herrligkoffer, a German explorer, led another attempt titled “German-Austrian Willy Merkl Memorial Expedition to Nanga Parbat 1953”. In the past, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1937, 1938, 1939, the Germans made multiple unsuccessful and tragic attempts on the Nacked Mountain in Diamer, a remote Himalayan region in Gilgit-Baltistan. […]
Forever in the Karakoram: Where Hermann Buhl Fell—and Rose Again in Name and Spirit
Nestled in the snow-laden heart of the Karakoram, where towering peaks ascend skyward and legends are sculpted in ice, the name Hermann Buhl endures—not merely in historical records but also within the serene valleys of Hunza. On this day, June 27, 1957, the Austrian mountaineer Hermann Buhl disappeared on the slopes of Chogolisa, consumed by […]