Tag: hispar la trek

Review Snow Lake Trek Review: The Biafo-Hispar Glaciers Traverse (Snow Lake Trek) Jin Wang August 2023 snow lake trek So what’s next after K2 BC? A challenging but unique rewording choice is the Biafo-Hispar Glaciers traverse, simply known as the Snow Lake trek. This epic adventure traverses the Biafo-Hispar glacier system of 100km, the longest “Highway of Ice” outside the Polar Regions, without requirements of prior climbing experience. The 100km traverse is composed of 51km on the Biafo Glacier and 49km on the Hispar Glacier, with Hispar La (pass) at 5,150m connecting the two. Snow Lake, a high-elevation glacier basin also known as Lukpe Lawo, lies just below the east side of Hispar La. Four tributary glaciers make up its core area: Lukpe Lawo Glacier, Tahu Rutum Glacier, upper Biafo Glacier, and Sim Gang Glacier. It is one of the largest glacial basins outside the Polar Regions. In addition to the legendary 100km length, three aspects make the journey epic and truly unique for a well-prepared trekker. First, the traverse involves ascending the HEAD of the Biafo Glacier to reach Hispar La at 5,150m. Most trekkers may only see the head of a glacier from a distance and never have a chance to put a foot on it. Second, it crosses an Ice Divide that separates the ice/snow flow of the Biafo Glacier from that of the Hispar Glacier. Hispar La @ 5,150m lies on this Biafo- Hispar Ice Divide. Again, while most trekkers may step on and even walk along a Continental Divide or two, they won’t have a chance to cross an ice divide separating legendary glaciers in their lifetime. Finally, it descends the HEAD of the Hispar Glacier from the Ice Divide before reaching Hispar village, the first human settlement since the trek departure from Askoli 13