At 7788 metres high, Rakaposhi is the 27th highest peak in the world and the 12th highest in Pakistan. A member of the illustrious Karakorum mountain range, which is home to K2 (second highest peak on earth at 8,611 metres) and 3 other peaks over 8000 metres, Rakaposhi is considered one of the more accessible Karakorum giants. The photos below are from a day trek I did to Rakaposhi’s Taghafari bascamp from the tiny village of Minapin with a Swiss nuclear physicist I had met a few days prior in Karimabad.
First view of the Minapin glacier, skirting the foothills of the Rakaposhi massif.
Saw this poor cow while on route to basecamp; not sure why its eyeball popped out of its socket but it might have had something do with the altitude.
Just before arriving at basecamp, we had to traverse a very steep slope where these guys were in the process of cutting a new trail.
The guys working on the trail also used sticks of dynamite to blast rock.
Arriving at basecamp, elevation 4000 metres ; Minapin glacier in the background.
Workers preparing lunch at basecamp.
The guys working on the trail were kind enough to share their lunch with us.
Basecamp lies right next to the massive Minapin glacier, which emanates from both Rakaposhi and neighboring Diran, a 7266 metre high peak just east of Rakaposhi. The glacier must be crossed when attempting to climb either peak.
Unfortunately, clouds robbed us of a view of the summit, but it was still well worth while to hike to basecamp and view Rakaposhi from up close.
Not sure which peak this is, but it’s definately a 7000+ metre Karakorum giant. Just as we were beginning to head back down, it poked out of the clouds from across the Hunza valley; a glorious sight!
Heading back down to the village of Minapin from basecamp. The only other tourists we saw the entire day were these two Koreans. They said it took them just over 5 hours to get to basecamp (guidebooks say 5 hours is normal), but my Swiss companion and I made it up in only 3:-)
Apart from the clouds covering the summit of Rakaposhi, it was a perfect day; one of the best day-hikes I’ve ever done; a medium-hard hike, with little danger and mind-numbing high alpine scenery, including a massive glacier and spectacular views of several 7000 + metre Karakorum giants.
Azure Traveler 