Gasherbrum IV, surveyed as K3, is the 17th highest mountain on Earth and the 6th highest in Pakistan. It is one of the peaks in the Gasherbrum massif.
The Gasherbrum’s are a remote group of peaks located at the northeastern end of the Baltoro Glacier in the Karakoram Range of the Himalaya. The massif contains three of the world's 8,000 meter peaks (if one includes Broad Peak). Gasherbrum is often claimed to mean "Shining Wall", presumably a reference to the highly visible west face of Gasherbrum IV; but in fact, it comes from "rgasha" (beautiful) and "brum" (mountain) in Balti, hence it actually means "beautiful mountain.
Ø 1958 First ascent by Walter Bonatti and Carlo Mauri on an Italian expedition led by Riccardo Cassin via the northeast ridge and the north summit. Traversing the pinnacled ridge to the main summit was considered the crux of the climb.
Ø 1985 First ascent of the 2,500 m (8,200 ft) high west face ("Shining Wall") by Wojciech Kurtyka (Poland) and Robert Schauer (de) (Austria). However, bad weather, depletion of food and fuel, and extreme exhaustion forced them to stop at the north summit. The editors of climbing magazine considered it the greatest achievement of mountaineering in the twentieth century.
Ø 1986 First ascent of the northwest ridge by Greg Child, Tim Macartney-Snape and Tom Hargis, involving an open bivouac on the north summit. This was the second ascent of Gasherbrum IV.
Ø 1997 first complete ascent of the west face by a Korean team, via the central spur. Bang Jung-ho, Kim Tong-kwan and Yoo Huk-jae reached the summit after a sieged ascent quoted as 5.10 A3.
Ø 1999 Second ascent of the northwest ridge by Kang Yeon-ryong and Yun Chi-won, part of a 13-member Korean team.
Ø 2008 Third ascent of the northwest ridge by a Spanish team composed of Alberto Iñurrategi, Juan Vallejo, José Carlos Tamayo, Mikel Zabalza, and Ferran Latorre.[6] The team did not get to the main summit, but stopped at a minor peak a short distance from the true summit. This information we got from Wikipedia.
Days |
Program |
Overnight |
1 |
Arrive in Islamabad and transfer to hotel |
Hotel |
2 |
Drive to Chilas/Naran |
Hotel |
3 |
Drive to Skardu |
Hotel |
4 |
Expedition Briefing in Skardu |
Hotel |
5 |
Drive to Askoli |
Camping |
6 |
Trek to Junla camp |
Camping |
7 |
Trek to Paju |
Camping |
8 |
Rest day in Paju |
Camping |
9 |
Trek to Urdukas |
Camping |
10 |
Trek to Goro-II |
Camping |
11 |
Trek to Base Camp |
Camping |
12-38 |
Climbing days |
Camping |
39 |
Trek back to Urdukas |
Camping |
40 |
Trek to Skambusohk |
Camping |
41 |
Trek to Askoli |
Camping |
42 |
Drive to Skardu and expedition debriefing |
Hotel |
43 |
Drive to Naran/Besham |
Hotel |
44 |
Drive to Islamabad |
Hotel |
45 |
Fly to your own destination |
Bye |
HOW TO BOOK?
We recommend booking well in advance by sending a nonrefundable deposit of 25% USD and the tour price with a minimum deposit of 50 % USD per person in advance. Some of the tours and ground arrangements may require a higher deposit of up to 80% with booking conditions. These details will be provided on confirmation of your booking. The deposit is required within 5 days of confirmation to hold your booking. The booking confirmation will include the exact deposit amount required and the due date of final payment. Please read these terms and conditions carefully and raise any questions you may have prior to making your booking. Receipt of deposit will be taken as an understanding by Mashabrum Expeditions that the customer has checked their confirmed travel arrangements and has read and agrees to abide by the terms and conditions. Any verbal quote given is an estimate only of the price which will be subject to advice on confirmation of the reservation, after which you will have 5 days to pay your nonrefundable deposit with 50 % in advance tour price.
PRICE
Price we will give you after few discussion by e-mail or phone call. Should these costs change it may be necessary to make a surcharge on the price of your holiday which will be advised to you at the time you book. However no surcharge in respect to cost or currency fluctuations will be made to the arrangements of your holiday once full payment has been received by Mashabrum Expeditions, unless any changes are made to your booking in accordance with these terms and conditions. This price guarantee does not apply to: (i) fares, charges or levies imposed by airlines up until ticketing; or (ii) any taxes, charges or levies imposed by any government or their agencies and the banking transfer charges.
AMENDMENTS
One change per booking is permitted free of charge. Each subsequent change will incur a fee of 50 $ per amendment to cover extra administrative and communication costs. In addition, cancellation and/or amendment fees may also be imposed minimum of 500 $ or depending on the nature of the change. To the extent we are able to do so, we will advise you of all applicable cancellation and/or amendment charges at the time of confirmation of your booking. Separate conditions apply to air arrangements and are set out in Section 9 of these terms and conditions.
LATE BOOKINGS
A fee of 30 $ per booking will be levied for bookings made within 10 working days of departure from your home land. Any booking request made within 10 working days or within any relevant supplier’s cancellation period cannot be processed until full payment has been received by Mashabrum Expeditions.
LAND ONLY SERVICE CHARGE
A service charge of 200 $ per booking will be charged for land only bookings of less than 2 night’s accommodation or 2 days car hire.
PAYMENTS
We don't accept any cards. Cash payment/bank transfer is only the option for booking.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS FOR EXPEDITIONS
If you decide to cancel your program or you are unable to travel, Mashabrum Expeditions will refund the amount you have paid less (i) our reasonable costs and (ii) any cancellation fees imposed by other suppliers. It is likely that other suppliers’ cancellation fees (which we will pass on to you) will be greater when cancellation takes place closer to the departure date. If you notify us of cancellation more than 30 days before departure, then the cancellation charges are only 25% nonrefundable deposit. If you notify us of cancellation less than 30 days before departure, the cancellation charges may be up to 50% of the total booking cost. Regrettably cancellation charges cannot be waived. No refunds are available for unused services after departure from your home land.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS FOR TREKKING/ TOURS
If you decide to cancel your program or you are unable to travel, Mashabrum Expeditions will refund the amount you have paid less (i) our reasonable costs and (ii) any cancellation fees imposed by other suppliers. It is likely that other suppliers’ cancellation fees (which we will pass on to you) will be greater when cancellation takes place closer to the departure date. If you notify us of cancellation more than 15 days before departure, then the cancellation charges are only 25% of your deposit. If you notify us of cancellation less than 15 days before departure, the cancellation charges may be up to 50% of the total booking cost. Regrettably cancellation charges cannot be waived. No refunds are available for unused services after departure from your home land.
- CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS – AIR ARRANGEMENTS
Cancellation fees will apply as required by airlines regulations and will vary dependent upon the type of airfare utilized. Airfare prices and conditions are subject to change or withdrawal without notification until ticketed. Full payment is required before tickets can be issued. Mashabrum Expeditions cannot be held liable for any increases in prices or changes in any airline regulations. Foreign currency airfares and airport taxes may fluctuate and are subject to the rate of exchange on date of ticket issue. Increases in airport taxes are not the responsibility of Mashabrum Expeditions and can be imposed up to departure. To the extent we are able to do so we will advise you of any increases of which we are aware at the time of confirmation of your booking.
CONSUMER CLAIMS
Should you encounter any problems on your holiday it is always better to try and solve it directly with the Tour Staff. If it is not possible to do so and you wish to lodge a complaint please do so in writing within 30 days of completing your Mashabrum Expeditions arrangements. These Terms and Conditions do not purport to exclude any statutory rights available to you and must in all cases be read subject to those statutory provisions.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST
Visas, Member insurance, Royalty Fee (climbing fee), Trekking permit Fee, Liaison Officer, Heli captor Rescue service, High camp foods, Oxygen, EPI Gas, Climbing gears, Custom clearance charges for Cargo, excess baggage charges (over applicable airline allowances), extra meals, room service, Phone calls, laundry, any kind of drinks, tips (Bakshish) and items of a personal nature are not included in the tour cost. Any pre-paid airfare taxes and surcharges are clearly identified in your booking confirmation if not included in the tour cost.
VARIATIONS
Considerable care has been taken to compile the information in this site but circumstances not within Mashabrum Expeditions Treks & Tours control may necessitate changes in itineraries, accommodation and costs in which case you will be informed as soon as possible. When it is necessary to change a hotel Mashabrum Expeditions reserves the right to substitute accommodation of at least a similar standard. METT cannot be held responsible for any changes which may occur and reserves the right to increase the price of any travel arrangement up to the date of payment in full (or the date of ticketing in the case of airfares). This includes adjustment for fuel surcharges, airfare increases as well as international exchange rate fluctuations. To the extent we are able to do so; we will notify you of any applicable change in price prior to you making payment in full. METT may update these terms and conditions at anytime. Any changes to these terms and conditions made after booking will be advised to you. The current version of terms and conditions will always be found on the website www.mashabrum.com If as a result of any of these variations either: (i) there is a material increase in the cost of your tour during the period between confirmation of your booking and the date on which you pay for your tour in full; or, (ii) you will suffer a material detriment, then you may cancel your tour, in which case METT will refund the amount you have paid less any cancellation fees imposed by other suppliers.
HOTEL DESCRIPTIONS AND PHOTOGRAPHS
Mashabrum Expeditions will tell you the name and address of the hotel and their standard but Pictures may not show to the clients.
INSURANCE
Mashabrum Expeditions will provide the insurance only for our staff and local porters and METT not responsible for the clients insurance. In respect of illness, injury, death, loss of baggage and personal item cancellation and curtailment. You may purchase a suitable external policy with specialist travel insurance provider and give us their contact with your policy numbers in case of emergency.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
You are responsible for all immigration, passport, visa, health, quarantine and customs laws, regulations, orders, demands or other requirements of countries visited or transited. Official travel advice issued by the Pakistan Department of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior. We recommend that you review this information both prior to making your booking and prior to departure.
UNLICENSED ENTITY DISCLAIMER
If you request Mashabrum Expeditions to arrange for the provision of products or services by a person or company which is not licensed in accordance with any applicable law, Mashabrum Expeditions accepts no liability (whether in contract for negligence or otherwise) for any loss or damage suffered by you as a result.
RESPONSIBILITY
Mashabrum Expeditions Treks & Tours accepts bookings subject to the following conditions.
(i) A booking is accepted only after METT receives the required deposit and issues the client or their travel agent confirmation invoices. The balance must be paid no later than 30 days before departure otherwise METT will treat the booking as cancelled regardless of whether a deposit is being held.(ii) METT only acts as a coordinator of tours and an agent for the owners, contractors and suppliers of transportation, accommodation and/or other related travel services provided and assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage to baggage, property or for injury, illness, death or for any damages or claims howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly from accidents, loss or damage to person or property, delays, transport failures, strikes, wars and uprisings or acts of God etc over which we have no control. All coupon receipts and tickets are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by third party suppliers and all services are subject to the laws of the country where the services are provided.(iii) All matters directly relating to the services provided by Mashabrum Expeditions Treks & Tours.
CANCELLATION BY US
Mashabrum Expeditions Treks & Tours reserves the right to cancel any Small Group Journey if minimum passenger numbers are not attained. Operation of these tours is dependent on a minimum number of persons booking on your tour. We will advise you of such cancellations no later than 30 days before departure date. However, METT reserves the right to cancel a Small Group Journey at any time before departure due to Force Majeure (as defined below) or METT reasonable consideration of adverse government travel advice. With any form of cancellation, METT will offer you alternative arrangements, and if the price of your alternative booking is a lower value than the original booking we will refund the difference to you. If you do not accept alternative arrangements we will refund all payments you have made to METT, in the case of Force Majeure or government travel advice refunds will be less any of METT unrecoverable costs. METT will not be liable for any additional costs incurred by you. METT will not be liable for any delay in, change to or cancellation of trips due to a circumstance beyond the reasonable control of METT and includes, but is not limited to, acts of God, fire, accident, interruptions to energy supplied, war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, disease, industrial or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions and strikes.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Mashabrum Expeditions Treks & Tours will not accept responsibility or liability for any clients who contravenes any law or regulation of any country visited. At all times the decision of the Local Guide / Tour Leader or representative will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip. You must, at all times, strictly comply with the laws, customs, and foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited. Should you fail to comply with the above, or should you interfere in our reasonable opinion with the well-being of the group then the leader or company representative may order you to leave the trip immediately with no right of refund.
PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND AGE LIMITS
Before making a booking you must advise us of any preexisting medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. You may be required to provide an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner if requested. If you fail to adequately notify us of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, we reserve the right, at our reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
METT SERVICES DETAILS (INCLUDES and EXCLUDES)
Service details are available on request. If you are interested to book your tirp with METT then write us to have the packages and service details.
Mashabrum Expeditions Treks & Tours Team tried to show you the equipment for mountaineering and trekking and if something is missing in our given list then please let us know, we will add those missing things. "Thanks in advance"
What clothing and equipment to take is normally caused for more consideration than any other aspect of preparing for an adventure travel trip. We regularly receive reams of advice and suggestions, good and bad, as to what equipment is needed for our trips. However, since being suitably equipped is the single most important consideration contributing to your welfare, we have provided the following information which we ask you to examine in a flexible manner, adapting it where you feel necessary to your own outdoor experience or preference. There is a fine balance between taking too much and too little, especially considering that you need to equip yourself for all extremes of climate. Over the years we have seen all extremes, from trekkers who have brought everything but the kitchen sink, to others with the bare minimum. The following equipment list is suggested and necessary for both climbing & trekking in the Karakoram. Use this list as a guideline; some of the equipment can be hired in Skardu as well. Also bear in mind trekking gear can be bought in the many mountaineering shops in Skardu, the majority of gear is Chinese manufactured.
Travel Documents: Valid Passport Credit Cards Pp Size Photo (4 Pieces) Insurance Paper and Contact details Family Members/Company’s Contacts |
For Hands: Thin Fleece Gloves (2 Pairs) Wind Stopper Fleece Gloves Heavy Gloves (Mitten) Summit Gloves |
Foot Wears: Summit Shoe) Normal Socks (6-7 Pairs) Summit Socks (3 Pairs) Trekking Shoes (1 Pair) Climbing Shoes (1 Pair) Basecamp Slipper (1 Pair) |
For Sun & Walking Stuffs: Sun Block Cream -50 (Spf) Lip Guard -20 / -50 (Spf) Sun Glasses (Uv Protection) Glaciers Glasses (Uv Protection) Walking Stick Pocket Knife Umbrella / Rain Coat |
For Upper Body: Light Weight Top / Thermal Coat (2-3 Layers) Mid Weight Top (2-3 Layers) Heavy Weight Top (2 Layers) Fleece Jacket (1) Rain Jacket (1) Down Jacket (1) Wind Proof Jacket Cotton T-Shirt for Base Camp. (2-3) |
For Lower Body: Light Weight Long Under Pants (2-3 Pairs) Under Wear (5-7 Pairs) Mid Weight Long Under Pants (2-3 Pairs) Heavy Weight Long Under Wear Pant. (1) Down Pants. (1) Water Proof Pant. (1) |
Climbing Equipment: Climbing Helmet Down Suit Crampons (Fit with Boot) Ice Axe, Harness, Jummer / Ascender Walkie Talkie with Batteries Satellite Phone set Hand Warmer Oxygen with mask , Regulator |
Climbing Equipment: Snow Goggle Head Light with 6 Pairs Rechargeable batteries Fix rope, Snow bars, Ice screw |
Climbing Equipment: Atc Guide Lock Carabineer (3) Unlock Carabineer (3) Tape Slings (2) Prosik Loops (1) |
Sleeping Materials: Sleeping Bag - 20 Degree (For Base Camp) Down Sleeping Bag - 20 To -40 for high camps Degree Celsius (Extreme Comfort) Mattress (2 pcs) Light Pillow |
For Head: Sun Cap Desert Cap Balaclava Fleece Hat Neck Gaiter (2-3)
|
Eating & Drinking: Water Bottle (2) Thermos Mug Spoon/ Fork Bowl EPI Gas Cooker with Stove Lighters Washing foam |
Toiletries: Hand Disinfectant Wet Tissue, Toilet role Toothpaste Toothbrush Soap, Shampoo Garbage Bag |
Medicine: Brufen / Ibuprofens Antibiotic Diamox Paracetamol Handy Plaster Crack Bandage Tincture Iodine
|
Bag Packs: Rucksacks 45L - 55L Duffle Bag 90 L -120 L (2 Pieces) Water Proof Stuff Sacks Large (2 Pieces) Water Proof Stuff Sacks Small (2 Pieces) |
TREKKING GEAR CHECKLIST
Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer Down vest and/or jacket (optional) Fleece or wool trousers/pants |
Trekking/Hiking boots with spare laces Thick, warm wool hiking socks (4) Footwear for around camp, eg running shoes and/or sandals |
Gaiters (optional) Telescopic trekking/ski poles (optional) Travel map/Guide book |
FIRST AID MEDICINE CHECKLIST
Bandage for sprains Plasters/Band-aids Iodine or water filter (optional) Moleskin/Second skin - for blisters Diamox (altitude sickness ) |
Antiseptic ointment for cuts Anti-bacterial throat lozenges (with antiseptic) Aspirin/paracetamol - general painkiller Oral rehydration salts Sterile Syringe set (anti-AIDS precaution) |
Broad-spectrum antibiotic (norfloxacin or ciprofloxin) Anti-diarrhea medication (antibiotic) Diarrhea stopper (Imodium - optional) Antibiotic for Giardia or similar microbe or bacteria |