K2 Base Camp Trek News

Blog posts: Please scroll down for day by day news of our fun and interesting K2 Base Camp Trek. Welcome to our next K2 Trek. Please Click Here!

Video Caption : Ravi playing his trumpet at K2 Base Camp - Gilkey Memorial - in honour of fallen climbers.

Photo: Ravi at K2 Basecamp. Dan Mazur and Sujata showing the sign of Central Karakoram National Park. Welcome

Caption: Sujata and Dan Mazur on Karakoram Trek. K2 Base camp. Sujata and Ravi enjoying horse riding on Karakoram trek.

22 Aug - Flight home today. We went to ISB airport early and boarded our flight. Everyone at the airport was so friendly, helpful, and relaxed. In fact, this final chapter perfectly sums up our experience with all the local people we met: friendly, helpful, and relaxed. As we flew across the globe to get home, we changed planes several times, passing through different countries’ airports—great for people-watching and sampling food courts. We even stocked up on very inexpensive duty-free liquor in the UAE—gifts for our old-school uncles who haven’t quit yet. Finally, we made it back home. It felt amazing to sleep in our own bed again. What a great trip—such a real adventure. We especially miss all the new and old friends we made along the way. Hope to see you all again soon!

21 Aug - Shopping around Islamabad and the old city. Lunch at the Serena Hotel. Met Rick’s cousin from Lahore—such a special moment. Spent the evening at the hotel restaurant, chilling and chatting with our team. A perfect way to relax and wind down at the end of our long journey. Such a wonderful group—we’ll miss you all very much.

20 Aug - Last-minute gift shopping, then a flight from Skardu to Islamabad. We flew over the beautiful Mt. Nanga Parbat en route. Showers at the Grand Hotel, followed by a relaxing dinner on the couches at Despardes Restaurant. Our international flights depart tomorrow.

19 Aug - Jeep ride to Skardu. The road was broken in three places, so porters carried our bags between vehicle changes. At one point, we had to climb up and down steep, broken sections of the road using ropes and ladders. We finally reached Skardu late in the day—showers, dinner, gift shopping, haircuts. A return to civilization!

Caption : Reached Skardu late in the day.

18 Aug - We walked down to Jola. The new bridge had been destroyed by a flood, and the Jola campground was wiped out by a mudslide nothing left, a total loss, a real tragedy for K2 National Park. Luckily, no one was killed. We continued upriver to cross on the footbridge, using the old cliff trail blasted out of the rock face, inching along narrow ledges high above the river. From there, we went down to Korofon, where the lunch spot had been plastered with 10 cm of mud. Finally, we walked down to Askole. Some of us managed to ride the last stretch in a jeep. Dinner was fresh chicken and melon. We tipped our porters and mule drivers, and everyone was happy.

17 Aug - We woke up early and walked down onto the Baltoro Glacier, due to the Kuburtse River bridge being washed out. After clambering over rocks and ice, we got back onto the high side trail and went down to Liligo. A man there was selling Coke. We guzzled it thirstily and carried on across the Baltoro Glacier, climbing up and down moraines, shifting ice, rock and dirt, and descended down to the land at the base of the glacier where the Braldu River pops out from under the black ice. We felt relieved to finally be off the glacier. Our staff made a delicious lunch and we watched in awe as huge white rocks slid down the ebony ice face and plopped into the roaring river with impressive splashes. We made it down to Paiyu and drank water. The wind picked up and a small dust storm ensued. We arrived in Mundrung / Skam Tsok Camp beside the roaring massive Braldu River in the evening and gratefully ate dinner and went to bed.

Caption : Trek to Jola bridge gone, campground wiped out by mudslide.

16 Aug - We walked to Urdukas for lunch, then continued down to Kuburtse for dinner and sleep. It was a long day with beautiful sunny weather, pleasantly warm but not too hot. There’s a faint touch of autumn in the air, with some bushes already showing golden leaves.

Caption : Trek to Urdukas for lunch, then Kuburtse for dinner and rest.

15 Aug - There was heavy rain last night. Today we walked to Goro I. The first part of the day was sunny, while the second part turned misty and foggy with light rain.

Caption : Trek to Goro I today and enjoying breakfast..

14 Aug - We walked from Broad Peak Base Camp down to Concordia and enjoyed a restful day.

Caption : Trek from Broad Peak BC to Concordia.

13 Aug - Sunny morning. We followed mules along a flat, gently rising glacier to K2 Base Camp. There were lots of tents and a few climbers around. Mr. Mushtaq from METT came out of his tent and treated us to lunch — chow mein and Coke. Thanks! We visited the Gilkey Memorial — very humbling. One of our members, Ravi, played a small trumpet concerto to honor the fallen climbers. On our return to Broad Peak Base Camp, we had dinner and fell into bed exhausted, dreaming of an amazing day.

Video Caption : Ravi playing his trumpet at K2 Base Camp - Gilkey Memorial - in honour of fallen climbers.

Caption : Sunny trek with mules to K2 Base Camp.

12 Aug - Sad morning: we lost one of our members today. Jose had to be evacuated by helicopter. Everyone, please don’t worry — he will be okay. But now it feels like there’s a hole in our team. Jose, you are missed very much. We walked to Broad Peak Base Camp along a long, gently rising moraine beside a smooth white glacier. We met the first K2 summiter of the season, Prakash Sherpa. He was running down the glacier carrying a huge rucksack when we saw him. He told us he had made it from the summit down to K2 Base Camp by 2 a.m. Wow — Superman! This evening, as we sat in our comfy chairs around the dinner table, we looked south toward Concordia below. Further in the distance, mighty Mount Chogolisa lit up the evening sky in golden alpenglow. Known as K2’s wife, she is called the Bride Peak.

11 Aug - Rest day today at Concordia. The weather is sunny, with blue skies and no wind. There are about 10 other groups here. We have 360-degree views of huge mountains and glaciers in every direction. Highlights include the spiky black Mitre Peak just above us, Gasherbrum IV with its shining marble wall, and, of course, K2, which fills the entire valley to the north. Today we heard that K2 was summited at around 2 in the afternoon. This evening, we watched in amazement as a string of headlamps made its way down from the summit in the darkness. Good night, and may Godspeed.

Caption : Rest day today at Concordia.

10 Aug - Early sunrise over the sparkling Baltoro Glacier. We walked across rolling black moraines, surrounded by towering white ice pinnacles, to a delicious pasta lunch at Concordia Mor. Then we trekked up the glacier for three more hours to Concordia Camp, located at the confluence of six glaciers. At sunset, we saw the mighty Mt. K2 and about 20 other towering peaks jutting out of the glacier like so many shark’s teeth. It was a long day—very tiring. Good night.

Caption : Sunrise trek on Baltoro, then on to Concordia Camp.

9 Aug - Today we woke up early and began our trek under sunny skies. A large piece of ice broke loose from the mountain above us, tumbled down, and shook the ground—scary! We crossed the Baltoro Glacier, balancing over a glacial stream on two bamboo poles. After a nice lunch break at Goro 1, we continued over gently rolling moraines to Goro 2, where we camped on the glacier. A good dinner and a good night followed.

8 Aug - Phenomenal sunrise over Uli Biaho and Paiyu Peak this morning. After coffee, four of us fixed ropes on a 35-degree slope behind Urdukas. After breakfast, eleven of us put on the harnesses we had rigged in Paiyu Camp and practiced ascending and descending the fixed lines. We spent the rest of the day at Urdukas charging our batteries with solar panels, doing laundry, taking showers, eating, and napping. Good night!

Caption : Reached Urdukas high above Baltoro.

7 Aug : After leaving Koburtse, we walked along the valley wall for 4 hours. Along the way, we crossed two beautiful side glaciers—some of them quite active. Sadly, a mule from another team fell from a steep bend in the trail, breaking its leg and back. Finally, we climbed upslope through lush green bushes to reach the rock ledges of Urdukas Camp, perched high above the Baltoro Glacier. A good dinner and a good night!

Caption :

6 Aug - Set off early from Paiyu. We hiked up onto the massive Baltoro Glacier, which fills the entire valley. Said goodbye to the Braldu River and valley—now it’s rocky trails, up and down glacier moraines, and rounding icy green lakes. Reached Liligo in 5 hours for a pasta and mango lunch, then continued another 4 hours to Kuburtse Camp. Luckily, we crossed the Kuburtse River on a wooden bridge. Big day, big dinner. Good night!

Caption : From Paiyu to Kuburtse onto the mighty Baltoro Glacier.

5 Aug - woke up late in paiyu. Big breakfast. All members prepared their harnesses & ice axes. Our laundry came back clean as a whistle. Wendy broke out her crossword puzzle book and that was fun. A big dust storm came in: We hid in the tent. We had a delicious chicken bbq dinner. good night.

Caption : Late start in Paiyu big breakfast.

4 Aug - Today we had an easy 3.5-hour walk to Paiyu Camp. It was hot, so we used our umbrellas until the wind picked up. We drank lots of water to stay cool.
At Paiyu, we had a big lunch, enjoyed a cold Coke, took showers, and sent our clothes for laundry. The best part was relaxing with friends and enjoying the amazing views of Liligo Peak, Great Trango, and Cathedral Spires. Now it’s time to sleep. Good night from Paiyu!

Caption : Easy 3.5 hr walk to Paiyu Camp.

3 Aug - Had breakfast at Jhola. Eleven of our mules were missing! We trekked along the beautiful Braldu River to Skam Tsok and set up camp. Nine mules eventually arrived, and two had gone back to their village. Fortunately, the drivers were able to repack the loads, and everything worked out in the end — thank God! The weather was perfect today: a mix of sun and clouds, not too hot — just right. Enjoyed a nice dinner. Good night!

Caption : Lost mules, riverside trek, perfect weather.

2 Aug - Today we enjoyed breakfast at Askole before beginning our walk to the national park gate, where we received a map. Lunch was served at Korophon, beside the beautiful Biafo River. We then continued our trek to Jhola Bridge, spotting many garnets along the way. Upon reaching Jhola Camp, we were pleasantly surprised to find no other groups there. We were grateful for hot showers, a delicious dinner, and comfortable tents—a peaceful and restful night followed.

Caption : From Askole to Jhola Camp via the Biafo River, with garnet sightings

1 Aug -Today we had breakfast in Skardu. Loaded up the 4x4s and drove to Shigar. Visited an old mosque and crossed a checkpost. Stopped for lunch in Dassu. Bought some gems from local prospectors. Luanna handed out candy to local kids. Drove up a steep road to a broken bridge—couldn’t cross it by jeep. Porters carried all our gear across. Switched to new jeeps on the other side and continued to Askole. Camped for our first night. Long day, but a big dinner and now off to sleep. Good night!

31 July - Today we checked the members gear, went shopping for missing items and snacks, had tasty lunch, climbed to the top of Kharpocho Fort, had delicious tea, then went back to our comfortable hotel for very hot showers (maybe our last one for some days) had another amazing dinner, and climbed into our comfy beds for another peaceful nights rest on cloud.

Caption : Mosque in kharphocho Fort Photo by : Sujata

Caption : Skardu valley seen from Kharphocho Fort Video By Sujata.

31 July - Today in Skardu, our team gathered for a full day of expedition prep — trying on harnesses and helmets, checking the K2 trekking route map at the Ministry of Tourism, and shopping for headlamps at a local mountain gear shop.

Caption : Preparing climbing gear in Skardu hotel. Shopping for headlamps at Skardu mountain shop. Photo By Dan

Caption : Luanna and Ravi trying on their harnesses and helmets in Skardu. Eating icecream on a sunny day in Skard. Photo By Dan

30 July - We had an adventurous flight from ISB - Skardu today. We woke up at 6am and had a delicious breakfast, then went to ISB airport and almost flew at 11am, but our flight was cancelled. Suddenly we were able to board another flight at 2:43 pm and we flew past Mount Nanga Parbat, and then after 45 minutes in the air we descended through clouds to Skardu. Now we are here in beautiful Skardu, very comfortable in our hotel enjoying good food, showers, delicious tea, and a well deserved long nights rest.

Caption : Mount Nanga Parbat, worlds 9th highest, seen from the airplane window on the ISB - Skardu flight. photo By Dan

30 July - Our trekking group has just arrived in ISB — and they’re already immersing themselves in the vibrant spirit of the city. From a serene visit to a local mosque to savoring mouth-watering BBQ at one of ISB’s iconic restaurants, and enjoying stunning views from the hotel breakfast room, their journey is already filled with warmth, flavor, and discovery. The mountains are calling, but before the trek begins, we’re soaking in every cultural moment this beautiful city offers. Stay tuned — the real adventure is just getting started.

Caption : View from the breakfast room in our ISB hotel. Dinner at famous bbq restaurant in ISB.

Caption : Our trekking ladies visiting the mosque in ISB

29 July - The team has arrived in ISB — ready for the next adventure to begin!

Caption : Team has now arrived in ISB !

28 July - Our expedition leader and two enthusiastic trekkers are currently at Kathmandu Airport, all set to fly to ISB. The excitement is high as they begin their journey towards the legendary K2 Base Camp Trek, one of the most breathtaking adventures in the Karakoram. Stay tuned for more updates as they land in Pakistan and the trek begins!

Caption : In ktm airport preparing to fly to ISB. Photo By Dan

Caption: in LAX airport going to KTM to pick up our rental gear and two of our trek members.

Team Roster:

Dan Mazur (Leader), UK/USA
Wendy C
Nancy M
Durk G
Richard C
Jose L
Ellen G
LuAnna H
Ravi K
Sujata K