John Mock & Kimberley O'Neil

Pakistan's Trekking Fatalities

The Tourism Division does not keep statistics on trekking fatalities. A few such incidents occur each year and typically have one common element - the trekkers were alone and unaccompanied by a local guide or porter. Frequently, such trekkers literally disappeared - probably by falling into a crevasse. Two glaciers are particularly dangerous for unaccompanied trekkers - the Biafo Glacier (to Snow Lake) in Baltistan and the Passu Glacier (between Passu village and Patundas) in Gojal.

We advise all trekkers not to travel alone, even in open zones and even when not crossing glaciers. Other objective dangers, such as rockfall, high water on river crossings, and snow avalanche are always present throughout northern Pakistan.