Gondogoro La Pass, Pakistan.

• What is Gondogoro la?

La in Balti means mountain pass or a cliff. It is a low point between two peaks that allows access through a lower site. Gondogoro La connects the Baltoro region with Hush Valley. It is home to the glorious Laila Peak and some small towns like Kanday and Hush. Though the pass is very abrupt. Therefore, fixed ropes are used to cross the pass and ascend and descend on the path. This trek is beyond conventional. 

• Where is the Gondogoro pass?

The Gondogoro Pass, at 5585 meters, is a cliff pass in Pakistan’s Baltistan region, 25 kilometres south of the K2 (the world’s 2^nd highest peak). It joins the Gondogoro Glacier on the southwest with the Vigne Glacier on the northeast side. The route descends from the pass on the southwest side towards Hushe village, which has the district’s topmost settlement of Ghangche District. 

The majority of the hikers and climbers approach from the northeast side. The Concordia in the upper Baltoro glacier is connected to the Hushe valley via the Gondogoro Pass route, which was completed in 1986. Since then, this specialised challenging route has captivated both trekkers and climbers alike. 

• Where is the Gondogoro la Trek?

Gondogoro la trek is a circular trekking route in the Baltistan region. It attaches Askole to the Hushe region of Baltistan. The Gondogoro pass trek can be approached from the Askole village through the Baltoro glacier to Concordia and then to Ali campsite on the Vigne glacier or via the Hushe valley (past the Masherbrum glacier valley on the northwest, Charakusa glacier valley on the east, and crossing west of Laila Peak). 

• How high is Gondogoro Pass? 

It is a 5585m high mountain pass in the Baltistan region of Pakistan.

• What experience do you need to cross Gondogoro La from the K2 base camp?

Having the right mountaineering skills, experience, good judgment, top fitness, prior acclimatisation, and understanding of the route and equipment are the keys to the safe crossing of Gondogoro la. All the trekkers must have their gadgets and gear. Ice axes, crampons, and a Jumar are required for the ascent of Gondogoro la with the help of ascending a fixed rope. The climb proceeds up a moderate-angle snow slope to the summit of Gondogoro la. Many climbers do not find this too difficult because of having mountaineering experience. 

Descending the Gondogoro la is probably the toughest part. Multi-pitch rappels are utilised at an angle of 40 to 45 degrees. One can walk back down the slope with weight on the feet instead of hanging on the rope. And the other has to be careful not to kick and knock rocks down to hikers on the ropes below. Descending on the slope, the angle eases off after three or four rappels. As you walk through the rocky slope, you can use the rope as a handrail. 

• How strenuous is traversing Gondogoro La Pass on the K2 base camp trek? 

Crossing the Gondogoro La Pass trek is a challenging thing to do for the trekkers.  The path moves through the meadows of Askole, the raw Baltoro glacier, the moraines of Baltoro, and the Vigne glacier, then passes through a high pass into the green, alpine atmosphere of the Hushe. However. It is one of the arduous tramps. 

Lack of proper trail on the glacier, and stepping on stones and gravel make it extremely difficult for the people. Well, crossing Gondogoro la is dangerous to some extent. Preparation for crossing and adhering to the advice of the rescue team on the cliff will improve the chance of traversing the pass safely.

• Do trekkers need training for crossing Gondogoro La Pass?

The Gondogoro trek is just underestimated. It is very different and hard to traverse, and crossing Gondogoro la requires technical mountaineering skills. So, each trekker must have the ability and the extraordinary skills to bridge this difficult pass. Trekkers must be trained before starting trekking on the Gondogoro la Pass trek because when underprepared groups cross Gondogoro Pass, they may encounter serious issues along the way. 

Therefore, the travel company has to check the skills of the trekking group before the trek begins. Highly trained high-altitude mountaineers remain close to the pass at the top of it during the climbing season to maintain the ropes and assist. Gondogoro la has some risks, such as rockfalls and mudslides.

• Is Gondogoro La Trek the king of all tramps in Pakistan? 

It may be the king of all treks in Pakistan, but it is mentioned as one of the best treks in the world in the book Top Treks of the World by Steve Razzetti because of its arduous nature. The Gondogoro la has one of the richest trekking experiences in Pakistan. 

• What is the route like for traversing the Gondogoro La high pass?

The climb of the Gondogoro la is on a snow hill with glacial ice underneath. The route usually varies from year to year, but the curve is still moderate. The rope is fixed for two sections on the road. In 2007, a glacial surge made the ascent far steeper, and deep crevasses opened up and making it troublesome for the climbers. So, the groups were unable to cross over the pass in that year. 

The downfall from the pass at an elevation of 5560m is the hard part of crossing over. That perspective of the pass has steep slopes of free rocky scree. It no longer has any snow while the hiking corporations move in early August. 

• How long does it take to go to Gondogoro Pass?

The Gondogoro La pass trek takes almost 16 days in total. Generally, the whole itinerary is completed in 20 days. It starts from Islamabad to Gondogoro la and returns through Hushe and Skardu to Islamabad. The journey begins in the village of Askole. Once you are away from this small green town, the mighty Karakoram does not take long enough to reveal its beauty. 

Professional tour operators will always schedule extra acclimatisation and rest days.  It is better to add a few days to your itinerary to avoid any trouble. For example, if someone is unable to walk or needs to rest due to mountain sickness, and there may be a road blocked due to landslides or any mishaps happen.  It is good to make sure there is a safe margin for error and bad weather.

• What are the objective dangers of passing over Gondogoro La?

Rockfall and mudslides are the objective dangers on the descent of the Gondogoro la later in the day. On this type of terrain, hikers and people should move with confidence. They must be down to Khuispang camp before the sun warms the ramp on the pass. The groups should leave Ali camp in the early hours of the day to arrive at the top of the Gondogoro la at first light. It means that the rocks on the comedown ramp will be frozen in place.

After coming down the pass, you will locate a trail that takes you along the lateral moraine to the Khuispang site. The next day, while descending on the trail, you will come across several rivers at Saicho. From here, you discern a susceptible trail to the Hushe village. It is the road ahead for the jeep to drive back to Skardu. 

• Is it worth traversing the Gondogoro La pass?

Yes, there is no doubt that crossing Gondogoro la on the K2 base camp is well worth it. It is a beautiful pass with glorious views from the summit. You will have a spectacular view of K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum and other Karakoram giants. From the top of the Gondogoro pass, you will also see the graceful lines of Laila peak across the Karakoram Range and on the Hushe side. 

• When to visit Gondogoro? 

It is easy to cross-pass quicker in the season, and it may be undertaken as early as the last three or four days in June. One group is always considered the first tour crew of the season to break the trail every year. By August, objective risks from crevasses, rockfall, and avalanches rise substantially as the snow cover begins to melt. 

• What attractions will you get to see from the Gondogoro la circuit? 

Gondogoro La is a dreamland for trekkers and mountain climbers. Travellers get a chance to see the wide range of panoramic vistas of the glorious peaks on the trail from the pass. It includes K2, Broad Peak, Masherbrum, Laila Peak, Trinity Peak, Muztagh, Cathedral Peaks, and Chogolisa. You will also come across the beautiful, greener and mellow Hushe Valley from here. 

It is the famous meeting point of Gasherbrum l, ll, lll, and IV. Views from the Gondogoro la are unrivalled for their high mountains. The attractions at the Gondogoro la give you truly mesmerising and soul-enriching feelings.

• What is the map of the Gondogoro pass?

Here is the map overview of Gondogoro La Pass.

Islamabad——— Skardu——— Shigar Valley——— Askole——— Korofong——— Jhola——— Paiju——— Urdukas——— Goro——— Concordia——— K2———   Ali Camp——— Gondogoro la Pass——— Khuispang ——— Shaiescho——— Hushe—Skardu—Islamabad.