John Mock & Kimberley O'Neil



1994 John Mock and Kimberley O'Neil on Darkot An (4650m), Ghizar, Northern Pakistan Lukpe Lawo or Snow Lake, one of the world's largest glacial basins seen from Hispar La, Baltistan, Northern Pakistan 2000 John Mock on Ghidims Pass South (5,650 metres), Shimshal, Gojal, Northern Pakistan 2000 Kimberley O'Neil on Mai Dur Pass (5,700 metres), Shimshal, Gojal, Northern Pakistan

What’s New in the 2nd edition of
Trekking in the Karakoram & Hindukush

  • expanded four-page table with easy-to-read columns that summarize 55 detailed treks - describing each trek’s duration, grading, best season, zone and permit requirements, the availability of public transportation, main features - and giving the page reference for each trek’s detailed description


  • expanded information to help trekkers decide where to go - including a Highlights section that groups treks into themes and a Suggested Itineraries section that provides recommendations for fixed lengths such as two weeks or one month


  • detailed Clothing, Equipment and Food Check Lists presented in easy-to-read tables


  • new and informative illustrations such as the two-page Glacial Landforms which explains the features trekkers encounter in these rugged mountains


  • a simplified and enhanced grading system that explains each trek’s level of difficulty and displays an easily-identifiable symbol for any treks requiring technical mountaineering skills


  • three special sections illustrated with unique graphic design and colour images -  Flora of the Karakoram & Hindukush, Kalasha Valleys, and Baltoro Glacier Treks


  • improved and completely redrawn maps including:
    • a two-page colour map of the Karakoram and Hindukush region
    • new regional maps at the start of each regional trekking chapter for quick orientation
    • two-colour trekking maps throughout, many at enhanced scales

  • a Fact Box for each trek that gives a concise overview of the trek, including its duration in hours or days, total distance in kilometres, level of difficulty, best season, start and finish points, zone and permit requirements, availability of public transport, along with a brief summary


  • a summary line for each day of every trek gives the duration in hours, daily trekking distance in kilometres, and the day’s elevation ascent and descent in metres


  • a numbered listing of stages for each trek to facilitate negotiation of wages and payment between trekkers and porters


  • new Gojal chapter that features:
    • the Werthum Pass trek with many climbing possibilities
    • a new section on Shimshal with six expanded treks, and two new treks - the Qachqar-e-Dur & Shpodeen Pass trek, and the Mai Dur Pass trek
    • a full description of the now-open route to Misgar’s Kilik and Mintaka Passes

  • trek descriptions designed to facilitate mountaineering expeditions getting to base camp - thirty percent of the treks describe routes or side trips - marked by an easily-identifiable symbol - to a major base camp, including 18 different 7000-metre peak base camps, and five 8000-metre peak base camps


  • for peak-baggers most treks also mention access to 5000-metre and 6000-metre peak base camps


  • summaries of more than 75 additional treks appear in the Other Treks section of each six regional trekking chapters to whet trekkers’ appetites and offer additional exciting possibilities


  • a new Mountaineering appendix that presents an overview of government rules, procedures to apply for a permit, a summary of fees and royalties, and contact information for guided climbs

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