Gasherbrum

Gasherbrum is a remote group of high peaks in the Karakoram range of the Himalayas. The Gasherbrum group consists of six major peaks, two of which, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II, are among the fourteen eight-thousanders (peaks over 8,000 meters in height).

Etymology

The name "Gasherbrum" originates from the Balti language, in which it means "Beautiful Mountain." However, the individual peaks have their own names in the local language.

Geography

The Gasherbrum group is located on the border between China and Pakistan. The highest peak, Gasherbrum I, is the 11th highest in the world, while Gasherbrum II is the 13th highest. The other peaks in the group are significantly lower, but still rank among the highest in the world.

Climbing History

The first successful ascent of a Gasherbrum peak was by an Austrian expedition in 1956, which reached the summit of Gasherbrum II. The first ascent of Gasherbrum I was made by an American team in 1958. Since then, the Gasherbrum peaks have been a popular destination for high-altitude mountaineers.

Mountaineering Challenges

Climbing any of the Gasherbrum peaks presents significant challenges. The high altitude, severe weather conditions, and technical climbing difficulties all contribute to the risk. Despite these challenges, the Gasherbrum peaks are less frequently climbed than other eight-thousanders, such as Mount Everest or K2.

See Also

• List of highest mountains
• Eight-thousander
• Mountaineering