MOUNTAINS OF PAKISTAN

Pakistan is blessed with highest, spectacular and long range of mountains that are an attraction for mountaineers and researchers from all across the globe. Out of the world’s 14 highest peaks (above 8000 meters), five are in Pakistan and the famous ranges are Karakoram, Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Koh e Sulaiman, Salt range and Koh e Sufaid.

 

Karakoram

Karakoram is one of the greatest mountain ranges of world, present in Pakistan (Gilgit Baltistan), China (Xinjiang) and India. The complex mountainous system of Karakoram is about 500 to 800 km in length and 240 km in width. The range includes four peaks exceeding 8,000 meters (K2, Gasherbrum – I, Gasherbrum – II and Broad Peak) and more than 60 peaks above 7,000 meters.

K 2

K2, the world’s second highest peak (8,611 meters) also called as Chogori and Mount Godwin Austen lies in Karakoram Range of Pakistan and partly in China. The snow and glacier covered mountain is on Godwin Austen Glacier and was first discovered by Col. T.G. Montgomerie of the Survey of India in 1856 and was given name K2 because it was the second in measured peaks in Karakoram Range and the name Godwin Austen is for the English geographer Col. H.H. Godwin Austen, who was the first surveyor of the peak. The first successful attempt to reach the summit was made by Italian expedition led by geologist Ardito Desio.

Himalayas

The most western parts of the Himalayas fall in Pakistan and bordered by Karakoram and Hindu Kush in northwest. There are several high peaks in western Himalaya but the most notable one is the Nana Parbat ( ). Most beautiful valleys, gigantic rivers and massive glaciers of the world are present in western end of the Himalayas.

Nanga Parbat

Nanga Parbat, the second highest peak (8,125) meters in Pakistan and 9th in the world also called as Killer Mountain, Naked Mountain and the King of Mountains. It has three major faces, Rupal, Raikot and Diamir. It is considered as one of the most terrifying 8000 meter peak in world due to hanging glaciers, gigantic rock ridges and the steepness.

Hindu Kush

Hindu Kush is 800 km long and 240 km wide mountain range from central Afghanistan to Northern Pakistan. This range hosts numerous high snowcapped peaks and the highest one is Tirich Mir (7,690 meters).

Sulaiman Range

The Sulaiman Mountains are located in northern Balochistan and partly in Afghanistan. Takhat e Sulaiman is the highest point of this range with an altitude of 3,487 meters and further in south of Pakistan, Sulaiman range confluence with Kirthar range in Sindh province.

Koh e Sufaid

Koh e Sufaid or White Mountain range lies in north western Pakistan expending to eastern Afghanistan. The highest peak of this range is Mount Sikaram with an elevation of 4,761 m near Pak Afghan border south of Khyber Pass and Kabul River.