The Himalaya is the highest mountain range in the world, extending along the northern frontiers of Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Burma and the southern border of Tibet. It contains ten of the fourteen 8000m mountains and is most often associtated with Nepal due to the highest peaks being located there as well as the most climbing activity. The western end of the range is comparitively unknown with the exception of Nanga Parbat which staged some of the greatest climbs in history. Pakistan's Western corner of the Himalaya forms a relatively small portion of the great range however it is just as grand as any part and a great place to visit.
The Pakistani Himalaya is located south and east of the Indus River, which originates close to the holy mountain of Kailash in Western Tibet, marking the ranges true western frontier. The river enters Pakistan from India flowing north-west to Skardu. It then continues on this bearing and is joined by the Hunza River south of Gilgit. From here it flows south and west eventually flowing from the Himalayan foothills onto the Indian planes. The Himalaya is a totally separate range to the Karakoram which runs parallel to the north.
One of the remarkable things about the Himalaya in Paksitan is how green and fertile it is compared to the arid Karakoram and Hindukush further north. The Himalaya has a considerably higher precipitation level during the monsoon months creating the environment for rich pine forests and grassy meadows that more closer resemble Canada or Kyrgyzstan than the Karakoram mountains of the Karakoram.
They were formed geologically as a result of the collision of the Indian subcontinent with Asia. This process of plate tectonics is ongoing, and the gradual northward drift of the Indian subcontinent still causes earthquakes. Nanga Parbat stands on the southern tectonic plate while Rakaposhi stands on the northern plate with the Indus River dividing the two. While the Himalaya formed relatively slowly the Karakoram were rapidly pushed upwards resulting in their comparitively dense topography.
The Himalaya is spread across three of Pakistan's provinces. The Northern area encompasses the Nanga Parbat massif and her surrounding valleys, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and extreme south-east corner of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) include portions of the Lesser Himalaya, also known as the Middle Himalaya. As with the rest of the country the region has a strong muslim identity. Most are Sunnis with some Shi'as in the Astor Valley's upper tributaries. Languages spoken include Shina, Pashto, Hindko and Kohistani however nearly everybody also speaks Urdu. The people south of the Gilgit are contrasting in ethnicity and culture making the region nteresting to visit for this reason alone.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the NWFP (in particular Balakot) was hit badly by the earthquake on 21st November 2005 that measured 5.6 on the Richter scale.
The Pakistani Greater Himalaya is dominated by Nanga Parbat (8125m), the nineth highest peak in the world. Located in the Northern Area province the 'naked mountain' is the western most bastion of the range that stretches 2400km east.
Most people visiting the area either head for the Raikot, Astor, Rupal and Diamir valleys on the north, east, south and west faces of Nanga Parbat respectively. For a region that is only well known for one peak there are a significant number of lofty summits along the 20km long massif. These include Silberzacken (Silver Crag) (7597m), Raikot (7070m), South Chongra (6448m), Middle Chongra (6455m), North Chongra (6830m), Ganalo Peak (6606m) and Mazeno Peak (7100) with its four subsidiary 7000m peaks. A tough trekking route is possible over the Mazeno La located at the western end of the massiv. This links the Rupal valley with the Diamir valley.
There are also a number of nearby peaks that are relatively easy to climb such as Buldar Peak (5602m), South Jalipur Peak (5206m) and Rupal Peak (5642m). The ease of access and absence of permits required means this is an ideal region for those making their first tentative ascents in Pakistan. Peaks such as these are also suitable for acclimatisation in preparation for higher objectives.
The Pakistani Himalaya is located south and east of the Indus River, which originates close to the holy mountain of Kailash in Western Tibet, marking the ranges true western frontier. The river enters Pakistan from India flowing north-west to Skardu. It then continues on this bearing and is joined by the Hunza River south of Gilgit. From here it flows south and west eventually flowing from the Himalayan foothills onto the Indian planes. The Himalaya is a totally separate range to the Karakoram which runs parallel to the north.
One of the remarkable things about the Himalaya in Paksitan is how green and fertile it is compared to the arid Karakoram and Hindukush further north. The Himalaya has a considerably higher precipitation level during the monsoon months creating the environment for rich pine forests and grassy meadows that more closer resemble Canada or Kyrgyzstan than the Karakoram mountains of the Karakoram.
They were formed geologically as a result of the collision of the Indian subcontinent with Asia. This process of plate tectonics is ongoing, and the gradual northward drift of the Indian subcontinent still causes earthquakes. Nanga Parbat stands on the southern tectonic plate while Rakaposhi stands on the northern plate with the Indus River dividing the two. While the Himalaya formed relatively slowly the Karakoram were rapidly pushed upwards resulting in their comparitively dense topography.
The Himalaya is spread across three of Pakistan's provinces. The Northern area encompasses the Nanga Parbat massif and her surrounding valleys, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and extreme south-east corner of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) include portions of the Lesser Himalaya, also known as the Middle Himalaya. As with the rest of the country the region has a strong muslim identity. Most are Sunnis with some Shi'as in the Astor Valley's upper tributaries. Languages spoken include Shina, Pashto, Hindko and Kohistani however nearly everybody also speaks Urdu. The people south of the Gilgit are contrasting in ethnicity and culture making the region nteresting to visit for this reason alone.
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2005 Earthquake
Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the NWFP (in particular Balakot) was hit badly by the earthquake on 21st November 2005 that measured 5.6 on the Richter scale.
The Pakistani Greater Himalaya is dominated by Nanga Parbat (8125m), the nineth highest peak in the world. Located in the Northern Area province the 'naked mountain' is the western most bastion of the range that stretches 2400km east.
Most people visiting the area either head for the Raikot, Astor, Rupal and Diamir valleys on the north, east, south and west faces of Nanga Parbat respectively. For a region that is only well known for one peak there are a significant number of lofty summits along the 20km long massif. These include Silberzacken (Silver Crag) (7597m), Raikot (7070m), South Chongra (6448m), Middle Chongra (6455m), North Chongra (6830m), Ganalo Peak (6606m) and Mazeno Peak (7100) with its four subsidiary 7000m peaks. A tough trekking route is possible over the Mazeno La located at the western end of the massiv. This links the Rupal valley with the Diamir valley.
There are also a number of nearby peaks that are relatively easy to climb such as Buldar Peak (5602m), South Jalipur Peak (5206m) and Rupal Peak (5642m). The ease of access and absence of permits required means this is an ideal region for those making their first tentative ascents in Pakistan. Peaks such as these are also suitable for acclimatisation in preparation for higher objectives.
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