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Discovering Pakistan’s Glaciers – A Trekker’s Dream

People travel to Pakistan to achieve the chance to have an uphill journey to experience a high altitude trek and also to see some of the highest mountains on earth. Like most alpine regions, there is a large number of glaciers on this land.

 

The concentration of glaciers in Pakistan is exceptionally high. Traveling to the northern regions of Pakistan, such as Baltistan, Chitral, and Hunza, will bring you face to face with these icy structures. Glaciers in Pakistan are a wonder to behold and a thrilling adventure to traverse. There is nothing quite like seeing a glacier encroach on a bridge, seemingly ready to swallow it whole, or the mangled jaws of glaciers such as in Baltoro.

Charakusa Galacier - Pakistan's Galaciiers

Let us explore how glaciers in Pakistan are the dream of any trekker travelling here.

Why Are Pakistan Glaciers So Special?

When people outside Pakistan think about this country, they think of a fully crowded area or a desert. But in reality, it is far different. Pakistan is one of the iciest glaciated countries in the world. There are more than 7000 glaciers now known in Pakistan, and these form the most ice outside the polar region.

 

Pakistan has three highest mountain ranges, including the Himalayas, Karakoram and the Hindu Kush; hence, northern Pakistan is fully carved with ice and rock. The beautiful hidden valleys, highly soaring peaks and huge rivers such as Indus are all due to the glaciers.

 

These glaciers offer the land much-needed irrigation and are mainly the life source for all civilizations in the north. The locals have a good advantage of these glaciers, creating some intricate systems of canals to water their crops and remove pieces of it to keepsake their food. Without the glaciers, there won’t be any life in the rocky, rugged north.

Charakusa Galacier 1 - Pakistan's Galaciiers

Are Glaciers Struck By Global Warming?

The answer is mostly yes but also no. For beginners, climatic change is quickly affecting parts of Pakistan. The rapid increase in temperatures may lead to the melting of snow, which causes flooding. All of the villages get swept away, and people drown often. But amazingly, some glaciers present in Pakistan are not shrinking. They appear to be on the opposite, growing. This process is known as The Karakoram Anomaly.

 

Experts aren’t still sure how this is happening. Most relate it to the ubiquitous rubble covering the glaciers that act as an insulation against the temperature rise. But others say this is incomplete data because the Karakoram is tough to work in.

Cultural Tours To Karakoram

Some of The Most Notable Pakistan Glaciers:

  • Baltoro Glacier – 39 miles/63 km length
  • Biafo Glacier – 42 miles/67 km length
  • Hispar Glacier – 30 miles/49 km
  • Siachen Glacier – 47 miles/ 76 km length
  • Batura glacier – 35 miles/ 57 km

These are some of the most well-known glaciers in Pakistan that attract trekkers worldwide. You can also book your ticket to this icy heaven with BTV Adventures.

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Max elevation

HYDRATION

There is a correlation between daily fluid intake and successful acclimatization and you must pay particular attention to hydration during trekking at high altitudes. On treks to 3000 meters and above most people will need to drink between 4 and 6 liters each day to achieve suitable hydration levels and you must adopt a responsible approach to achieving this target.

ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS

Before embarking on a trek to high altitude it is important that you familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and that you report any illness to your tip leader straight away. See the links at the bottom of this page for further reading on AMS.

DIAMOX

There are a number of untested herbal remedies which claim to prevent mountain sickness. However, only one drug is currently known to have a useful role in preventing AMS and to be safe for this purpose: acetazolamide (Diamox). We recommend that you carry Diamox in your first aid kit for treks where you spend an extended period above 4000m. Diamox can only be obtained from a medical professional on prescription and it is important that you first consult your own doctor so that you know there are no contra indications with other medicines you may be taking and that you do not have an allergy to acetazolamide. Diamox commonly causes some minor side effects, such as tingling fingers and toes, or a metallic taste in the mouth, but more severe reactions are rare. On trek, the decision whether or not and when, you should take Diamox as with any drug, will rest solely with you. If you intend to take Diamox, you must familiarize yourself with the appropriate dosage and regime prior to coming on the trip. The links at the bottom of this page will provide further information on the use of Diamox as an aid to acclimatization.

Travelling to high altitudes is not something you need to be scared of. Every year thousands of people enjoy the most amazing experiences in the world's greatest mountain ranges. Altitude sickness is entirely preventable if you follow very simple rules and procedures. Please make sure you are aware of these before you travel.

SUMMARY OF DIFFICULTY
The hike up to our campsite is a moderate 6 miles and 1400ft of elevation gain. The scramble up to Pyramid Ridge can be steep and difficult, but very adventurous and with just light day packs.Hiking

Distances
6-10 miBackpack Weight
25-35 lbsTerrain
Moderately RuggedMax Daily Elev. Gain
1950 ftHeights Exposure
Moderate

Please Note: Terrain, Elevation Gain and Heights Exposure ratings reflect the section or day of the trip with the maximum difficulty of each. Much of the trip is at easier levels. See the trip itinerary for more detailed information. Backpack Weight ratings are estimates that account for Wildland-provided gear, guest clothing, personal items and a share of group food. By packing light it’s often possible to stay on the lower end of the weight range. Pack weights also decrease during the trip.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Hiking uphill or downhill with a 25-35 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
  • Hiking uphill off trail with a 8-12 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
  • Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
  • Hiking with moderate heights exposure

To show the relative difficulty of our adventure holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most challenging. Our simple, colour-coded grade symbol provides an indication of the difficulty of each trip.

Clearly, there are many different factors that contribute to the difficulty of a particular holiday, including, length of day, terrain, type of accommodation, altitude and weather conditions. Since some of these factors are necessarily changeable, any system of grades can only provide a general indication. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the detailed Trip Notes and if you are still unsure, please do not hesitate to contact us

GREEN 1 - 4 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

YELLOW 5 - 7 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

RED 08 - 10 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involve many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness experience is essential.

SUMMARY OF DIFFICULTY
The hike up to our campsite is a moderate 6 miles and 1400ft of elevation gain. The scramble up to Pyramid Ridge can be steep and difficult, but very adventurous and with just light day packs.Hiking

Distances
6-10 miBackpack Weight
25-35 lbsTerrain
Moderately RuggedMax Daily Elev. Gain
1950 ftHeights Exposure
Moderate

Please Note: Terrain, Elevation Gain and Heights Exposure ratings reflect the section or day of the trip with the maximum difficulty of each. Much of the trip is at easier levels. See the trip itinerary for more detailed information. Backpack Weight ratings are estimates that account for Wildland-provided gear, guest clothing, personal items and a share of group food. By packing light it’s often possible to stay on the lower end of the weight range. Pack weights also decrease during the trip.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Hiking uphill or downhill with a 25-35 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
  • Hiking uphill off trail with a 8-12 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
  • Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
  • Hiking with moderate heights exposure
DIFFICULTY LEVEL

To show the relative difficulty of our adventure holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most challenging. Our simple, colour-coded grade symbol provides an indication of the difficulty of each trip.

Clearly, there are many different factors that contribute to the difficulty of a particular holiday, including, length of day, terrain, type of accommodation, altitude and weather conditions. Since some of these factors are necessarily changeable, any system of grades can only provide a general indication. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the detailed Trip Notes and if you are still unsure, please do not hesitate to contact us

GREEN 1 - 4 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

YELLOW 5 - 7 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

RED 08 - 10 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involve many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness experience is essential.