"An alpine style ascent of Tahu Ratum (6651m) is a particularly noteworthy and challenging objective, which will help raise the profile of British mountaineering." - Sir Chris Bonington - Expedition Patron.

Saturday 5 June 2010

The Journey to Tahu Ratum

It is said that the crux of any mountaineering expedition is actually getting to the mountain! This is something which I can certainly empathise with. Google maps puts the overland journey from Manchester to Tahu Ratum at 6843 miles, and we are hoping to do it in 13 days.

The Plan: Fly to Islamabad, then onto Skardu. From here we hire a jeep to Askole, a small town 100km North. It is the gateway to the high Karakoram and sees many expeditions pass through each year. The men of the town make a good wage as porters during the summer months. Past Askole there are no more roads and will make the last 70km by foot. We will initially walk up the Biafo Glacier to Snow Lake. This place was first discovered by explorer Martin Conway in 1892, who described it as "beyond all comparison, the finest view of mountains it has ever been my lot to behold, nor do I believe the world can hold a finer." Obviously he hadn't been to the Moors!

Anyway (:P), From snow lake we will travel over the Hispar La (5128m), a pass which connects to the head of the Hispar glacier, before hanging a prompt right to base camp on the Khani Basa Glacier and Tahu Ratum. Let's hope it all goes to plan and we have an excellent adventure!

Below is a map showing our planned route from Skardu in the South to Tahu Ratum in the North. We will drive the red line and walk the blue line. Approx 180km all in.

L.Hunt




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