Originally named K5 by the Colonial Great Trigonometric Survey of India, Gasherbrum I, the 11th highest mountain in the world, was dubbed ‘the Hidden Peak’ by Victorian mountaineers because of its extreme remoteness. To this day, it remains one of the least-frequently climbed of the 8,000ers, and therefore one of the most exciting for true climbing connoisseurs. Its near neighbour, Gasherbrum II, is the world’s 13th highest mountain. Scaling the two back to back is an especially rewarding experience for those with the skills and stamina.
Climb the 11th and the 13th highest peak
A jagged, uncompromising pinnacle of rock on the border of Pakistan and China’s Xinjiang province, Gasherbrum I tends to attract serious mountaineers on a serious mission - climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000m peaks. Its near neighbour, Gasherbrum II, is generally regarded as a slightly easier climb, and tackling them together makes sense if your objective is to stand on the summit of all 14. Similarly, if you’re an experienced climber looking to summit two peaks that are uncrowded and unspoiled, this unique combo expedition will tick a lot of boxes.
In 2019, our Founder Nimsdai climbed Gasherbrum I and II back to back as part of his record-breaking Project Possible push. Elite Exped’s combo expedition plan is based on the one he successfully implemented then - although we reverse the order, taking on Gasherbrum I, the harder of the two peaks, first. In total, we plan to leave 60 days for the entire expedition, including a rest day back at base camp between the summits, and plenty of time to acclimatize before heading up to high altitudes.