| The Western Himalayas is situated between Kashmir
valley in the East to Indus River in the North and West and
is dominated by Nanga Parbat massif with highest peak rising
at 8125 metres. The range comprise the regions of Kashmir, Kaghan,
Kohistan, Deosai and Chilas. The range is also dominated by
Deosai plains situated at the height of about 4500 m which is
filled with flowers in the summer months and present the most
rewarding scenic view in the world. The monsoons penetrate the
area, however climbing season remains in the summer season.
Of late some winter climbing has also commenced.
Nanga Parbat complex has numerous routes but the prominent
base camps are Rupal ( Eastern face), Raikot / Fairy Meadows
face (North Eastern face), Diamer face (the North Western
face) and the long West ridge. It was explored by Europeans
in later part of nineteenth century, the Schlagintweet brothers
from Germany visited Nanga Parbat region in 1854. A British
expedition led by Mr A F Mummery attempted to find a way up
the Southern and Western slopes. In 1932 a German cum American
expedition attempted to climb Nanga Parbat. Later it was attempted
by German expeditions in 1937 and 1939 and therefore is aptly
called a German mountain. It was, however in 1953 that an
Austro German expedition led by Mr Herlingkoffer was successful
in conquering this killer mountain. Mr Hermann Buhl in an
unprecedented 40 hour solo climb succeeded in reaching the
summit. The peak has since been climbed from all sides by
number of climbers including Mr Reinhold Messener who has
climbed it on more than one occasions. Sher Khan, Rajab Shah,
Jabbar Bhatti and Atta ul Haq became the first Pakistanis
to scale Nanga Parbat.
There prominent treks in the area include trek around Nanga
Parbat (15 days round trip from Islamabad), trek across Deosai
plains (15 days round trip from Islamabad) and trek to Fairy
Meadows (6 days round trip from Islamabad). |
