Gasherbrum II

Gasherbrum II at 8,035m is the 13th-highest mountain, located in the Karakoram adjacent to Gasherbrum I. It is often considered the most accessible of Pakistan's eight-thousanders and a popular first 8000m peak.

First climbed in 1956 by an Austrian expedition, the mountain sees the highest summit rate of the five Pakistani 8000ers. Its relatively straightforward normal route via the Southwest Ridge makes it ideal for climbers stepping up from 7000m peaks.

Despite being "accessible," it remains a serious undertaking — altitude sickness, crevasses, avalanches, and extreme weather are constant threats above 7,000m.

The Southwest Ridge is the normal route on Gasherbrum II, following the line of the first ascent. It is widely regarded as the most straightforward route on any Pakistani 8000er, though at this altitude nothing is simple.

Base Camp (5,100m): Shared with Gasherbrum I expeditions on the upper Baltoro/Abruzzi Glacier. The approach from Askole takes 7–9 days, passing through Concordia and up toward the Gasherbrum cirque.

Camp 1 (5,900m): Reached via a moderate glacier walk through crevassed terrain. The route weaves between seracs and ice towers to reach a relatively sheltered plateau.

Camp 2 (6,500m): Positioned at the base of the Southwest Ridge proper. From here, the climbing becomes steeper with sustained snow and ice slopes up to 45 degrees.

Camp 3 (7,000m): The high camp on the ridge, with exposed positions offering dramatic views across the Karakoram. Climbers typically spend one or two nights here for final acclimatization before the summit bid.

Summit Push (8,035m): The route from Camp 3 follows the narrowing ridge through mixed terrain, with a final steep snow slope leading to the summit pyramid. The round trip from Camp 3 averages 8–12 hours, making Gasherbrum II one of the shorter summit days among the 8000ers.