16-Day Shimshal Pass Trek and Manglik Sar Climb from Islamabad

SHIMSHAL VALLEY:

Shimshal is the remotest area of the Hunza Valley in Upper Hunza Gojal, bordering China. Shimshal covers the largest territory within Upper Hunza. From its western reaches, bordered by the Hunza River, the area extends as far as Baltistan to the east, and the Khunjerab River to the north demarcates the frontier with China. Access to this valley is from the Karakoram Highway at Passu Village in Gojal through a 53 km jeepable link road following a narrow gorge. It takes 3 hours to drive on this amazing road from Passu. This road was opened in 2003; before that, there was a 3-day trek to Shimshal from Passu. After the completion of this link road, which took around 20 years, the people of Shimshal were connected with the Karakoram Highway, central Hunza, and other southern cities of Pakistan. This link road has brought a socio-economic revolution to the Shimshal Valley.

TREKKING:

The diversity of Shimshal's landscape, including flower-covered meadows, pastures, high passes, glaciers, unclimbed peaks, rocky canyons, and barren mountain ranges, makes it a pristine paradise for trekkers and adventurers. Researchers and wildlife enthusiasts can arrange special treks to observe ibex, blue sheep, and other indigenous species in their natural environment. For those interested in culture, a trip to the Shimshal Pamir, Shimshal's summer settlements, is an unforgettable experience. You may also arrange yak riding here if you are interested. Trekking to Shimshal's broad Pamir highlands takes you to one of the Shimshali people's favorite places, where lakes sparkle on the Central Asian watershed and herds call melodiously across the hills. Almost 1,000 yaks and several thousand sheep and goats graze in the Shimshal Pamir, an extensive alpine grassland above 4,500 m. In late May, women and children leave Shimshal Village for Shuizherav pastureland. In June, they move to Shuwerth, the main summer settlement just beyond Shimshal Pass. In early September, they move back to Shuizherav, and in early October, they return to Shimshal Village.

Trekking involves long 7-9 hour walks per day on a well-made trail over river deposits and rock cliffs, with frequent ups and downs. The trail is wide enough for yaks to travel on, but it can be dangerous if you slip. The beginning of the first 2 days is a little difficult, then the landscape becomes plainer. Good shoes and trekking poles are recommended. Shimshal Pass is a plain area with pastures around 4-5 km long and 1-2 km wide, with two beautiful lakes below peaks of around 6,500 m. The highest point of the pass is 4,735 m.

MANGLIK SAR/PEAK 6050M

Manglik Sar, at an elevation of approximately 6,050 meters (19,849 feet), is one of the popular trekking peaks for climbers looking for a less technical ascent in the Karakoram range. This makes it an attractive option for those wanting to experience the grandeur of high-altitude mountains without the extreme difficulty of other peaks in the region. It is considered an easy peak and does not require technical climbing, but the team needs to be roped.

CLIMBING INFORMATION

It is a snow peak and is normally climbed in a day, with slopes of around 30 to 35 degrees. A rope-up team is needed while climbing near the summit. The difficulty level is moderate to challenging. It involves 1,500 m of ascent and 1,500 m of descent, and it is possible to set up an advanced base camp. It is often classified as a "trekking peak," which means it does not require advanced technical climbing skills. However, climbers should still have experience with high-altitude trekking and basic mountaineering techniques, including the use of crampons, ice axes, and knowledge of glacier travel. The route from Shimshal Village to Shimshal Pass takes around 3 days of trekking to reach base camp, and it is better to set up an advance camp. The summit push typically involves glacier travel, snow slopes, and moderate ridge climbing. The summit day can be physically demanding.

Physical fitness: As with any high-altitude climb, climbers need to be in good physical condition. Acclimatization is also important, as altitude sickness can be a concern.

Equipment: Standard high-altitude trekking and climbing gear are necessary, including crampons, an ice axe, a harness, ropes, snow shoes, gaiters, and a proper clothing system to handle cold temperatures. Climbing Manglik Sar largely depends on the weather and snow conditions. It is a snow peak and non-technical, but it requires proper equipment and experience in basic climbing. Manglik Sar is a great choice for climbers who want to experience the rugged beauty of the Karakoram without facing the extreme technical challenges of higher and more famous peaks.