Gasherbrum II is part of the greater Gasherbrum group of 5 peaks, 2 of which soar over 8000m, and is the world’s 13th highest mountain. She is roundly held as one of the most straight-forward and accessible of the fourteen, and climbers on her normal route, if sufficiently resourced and prepared, enjoy reasonable summit rates in clement weather.
She is of course an 8000er, and as such repels many dozens of climbers every year. In 2004 some 38 climbers from multiple nationalities reached her summit after a small weather window opened near the end of the season.
The route of choice is the SW ridge. A mostly clearly defined spur that is relatively free of objective dangers. Nonetheless history shows more than a few climbers have perished on this route due to these causes.
If you want to climb G2, you will need outstanding stamina, a fierce determination, and an ability to deal with 'expedition downtime' - boredom, apathy, lethargy, and cold lonely nights on the glacier.
8K peaks are to climbers what the Grand Slam series is to tennis players (with the exception that there are no spectators at 26,000ft). So if your not ready yet for your "Wimbledon" your not ready for G2.
In real terms, you should have several serious seasons of climbing at or above 6500m before you can contemplate an ascent of Gasherbrum II or any other 8000m peak.
Generally most expeditions that come here allot up to 55 days to climb this mountain from arrival in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Islamabad & Transfer to the Hotel
Day 02: Rest day in Islamabad (585m)
Day 03: Fly from Islamabad to Skardu (2,228m)
Day 04: Rest Day in Skardu : Expedition briefing and preparation
Day 05: Drive from Skardu to Askole (2,600m) : Camping
Day 06: Trek from Askole to Jhola (3,185m) : Camping
Day 07: Trek from Jhola to Paiyu (3,383m) : Camping
Day 08: Rest day in Paiyu : Camping
Day 09: Trek from Paiyu to Urdukas (4,130m) : Camping
Day 10 : Trek from Urdukas to Goro II (4,250m) : Camping
Day 11: Trek from Goro II to Sharing Camp
Day 12: from Sharing to G1 Base camp
Day 13 - 43 : Climbing Period [Basecamp - Summit (8035m) - Basecamp]
Day 44: Cleaning Up Basecamp : Preparation for descending back
Day 45: Trek from Basecamp to Goro II : Camping
Day 46: Trek from Goro II to Khuburtze : Camping
Day 47: Trek from Khuburtze to Mundung : Camping
Day 48: Trek from Mundung to Askole : Camping
Day 49: Drive from Askole to Skardu
Day 50: Fly from Skardu to Islamabad & transfer to the Hotel
Day 51: Leisure day in Islamabad
Day 52: Transfer to the International Airport for final departure
