We have mentioned in our previous article on Gasherbrum 1 about the gigantic Gasherbrum massif. This massif also contains the 12th highest mountain on Earth which is known as Broad Peak.

Broad Peak- K3

This mountain is also called in the local Balti language as P’alchan Kangri Ri which is the translation of “Broad Peak”. Broad Peak is located almost 8 Kilometers from Mount Goodwin Austin ( K2 ) above the Baltoro Glacier in the Karakoram Range of northwestern Pakistan. This mountain has almost 1 mile long summit ridge, that is why, it is called as “Broad Peak”. Broad Peak has the elevation of 8,051 meters (26,414 ft).

Beautiful sunset on Broad Peak

In the famous mountains survey of 1856, T.G. Montgomerie named it as K3.  The first climb of “Broad Peak” was done in 1957  by a four-person Austrian expedition. Broad Peak is a climber friendly mountain which has very less death rate of the climbers as compared to other eight thousanders. But as we have described earlier that climbing an eight thousander is never an easy task. Like other high mountains , extreme weather conditions, Hypothermia and giant steep rocks are the threatening factors for the climbing of Broad Peak. Broad Peak although requires lesser technicalities, yet it is quite big mountain, which can be bigger beyond the expectations of the mountaineer.

Let’s tell you about another fabulous natural wonder of Pakistan. This is also from Northern Pakistan and it is also a part of the famous Concordia which is a cluster of amazing charismas. We have already narrated about some of the significant wonders from Concordia like , the Trango Towers and K2. This is another fascinating natural beauty, the Baltoro Glacier, a marvelous gift of nature, which is a 62 Km long glacier and it is one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions.

Baltoro Glacier Pakistan : A marvelous gift of Nature

The Baltoro Glacier is undoubtedly the gem of the second tallest mountain range of the world, the Karakorum Mountain Range which is also the basin of the Shigar River, a tributary of the Indus River. The Baltoro Glacier is also an agglomeration of many other glaciers like the Goodwin Austin Glacier flowing south from K2; the Abruzzi and the various Gasherbrum Glaciers, flowing from the Gasherbrum group of peaks; the Vigne Glacier, flowing from Chogolisa, and the Yermandendu Glacier, flowing from Masherbrum.

An amazing glacial lake from the great Baltoro Glacier

Baltoro Glacier is the 5^th largest glacier outside the polar regions which can be approached via one of the famous Balti town of Skardu and the location of the Baltoro Glacier is situated 856 kilometers north east (41°) of the approximate center of Pakistan and 353 kilometers north east (50°) of the capital Islamabad. A 100 square km area around Baltoro Glacier has an estimated population of 2100 (0.000021 persons per square meter) and an average elevation of 3946 meters above the sea.

Baltoro Glacier : A panoramic view Image © Tetsuya223

The whole area around the Baltoro Glacier, a marvelous gift of nature is a paradise filled with astonishing features like superb landscapes, wonderful glacial lakes, gigantic mountain chain and marvelous geography.