Nanga Parbat 2000 & K2 2000 Coverage For other links see the table below the News.

1/8/2001

David Hart from USA is leading a expedition to Broad Peak this year, The are 6 or 7 member team, will attempt the normal route. 

Patagonian Brothers Expedition is also attempting Broad Peak led by Mr. Damian Benegas

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik  JASMINE TOURS Department of Tourist Services License #333 2 Website: http://www.jasminetours.com

12/22/2000 

Please find below fixed departure dates for year 2001 of Khyber Steam Train Safari 

Jan., 7 and 14 Feb., 11 and 18 March 11 and 25 April 15 and 29 May 13 July 8  August 12 and 26 Sept., 16 and 30 Oct., 14 and 28 Nov., 11 Dec., 30. 

Please note that there is especial departure announced to celebrate New Year and the date is 31 December, 2000.  

Also a SPANTIK PEAK EXPEDITION
From Islamabad to back Islamabad.
First week of July 2001

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik  JASMINE TOURS Department of Tourist Services License #333 2 Website: http://www.jasminetours.com

11/22/2000 Update

Application forms for allotment of peaks should be accepted by a Pakistani Embassy / Consulate or Ministry of Tourism, Sport Complex Building, Islamabad, Pakistan during the period of 1st January to 31st December of a year proceeding the year in which an expedition is planned.

After 31st December allotment of peaks will to granted on first come first service basis.

One can obtain application form from jasminetours.com 

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

10/18/2000 Update

Asghar Ali Porik Correspondence for Pakistan

Three New Stories

New Visa Policy:  

1. Tourist Visa 

i) All tourists (except nationals of countries on negative list) will be issued 30 days Landing Permit at airports and other entry points, on arrival.  

ii) RPOs will grant entry visa up to 3 months, on application within validity of Landing Permit. 

iii) Further extension up to 3 months can also be granted by PROs on application. 

iv) RPOs will also allow one or two re-entries to the tourists, on application, charging visa fee as fixed on reciprocal basis subject to a minimum of US Dollars 10/- only. 

v) For Northern Areas, the Deputy Commissioner Gilgit is being authorized to allow extension in visa and one re-entry to the tourists in Northern Areas, charging visa fee as per policy. He would, however, exercise these powers himself and would not delegate these powers to his sub-ordinate officials.

Registration of Foreigners with Police 

i) It has been decided to exempt all foreigners from registration with police, except the nationals of countries on negative list. 

ii) Even in the case of countries on the negative list (except Indians and foreigners of Indian origin), their nationals in the managerial category, who are issued work permit/visa will also be exempted from police registration.

Government earns Rs. 35m from royalty: By correspondence for Pakistan 

A six month mountaineering and trekking season has yielded Rs. 35.5 million on account of royalty, charges from expedition in Northern Areas, according to tourism ministry.

Three climbers lost their lives this season. A Spanish Basque national, Felix Inurrategi, 33, who on his way back after reaching the summit of Gasherbrum II fell from an altitude of 6500 meter when the anchor on an old rope came loose and took him down. Two Italian Omar Vecchio 32 and Demenico Palandri 41 could not return from Diran Peak in Nagar region.

In all 68 mountaineering expedition and 169 trekking groups visited Pakistan in year 2000 summer season.

Karimabad village and Baltiti Fort received the international award for tourism. Indonesia, Austria, India and England were the strong competitor for this award but a panel of international judges keeping in view the ecological aspects declare the Karimabad village and Baltit Fort the best. This award were issued in 1989 by British Airways. 80m rupees is spent on Karimabad village and Baltit Fort which will attract 20 thousand tourists annually.

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

10/14/2000 Update

Attention Trekkers and Mountaineering

Now tourist can get visa on their arrival at airport for 30 days. Plus they will be exempted from Police registration. More details will be online soon.

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

9/14/2000 Update

Attention Trekkers and Mountaineering

Regarding Emergency Insurance: Before visiting Pakistan please bring along with you a letter from your insurance company letter saying that your insurance covers emergency rescue (by helicopter if required) and medical treatment in Pakistan in case of emergency up to 20,000 US Dollars. The letter should also include your insurance number, your name and passport number. Leave this letter with your agent or your embassy in Pakistan before leaving Rawalpindi/Islamabad.

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

9/9/2000 Update

Expedition list of those who visited Pakistan during the year 2000

Source: Official statement from the government of Pakistan tourism division.

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

9/8/2000 Update

First ascent on Noshaq Peak (Pakistan side). Five members multinational expedition to Noshaq Peak 7412 meters led by Mr. Martin Sondarby Nielgen from Denmark return home unsuccessful. 

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

9/4/2000 Update

Erhard Loretan, the famous Swiss fourteen eight thousand meters climber, left Pakistan on Saturday after an unsuccessful attempt on Nanga Parbat on the Mazeno Ridge. He reached 6800 meters in late August with his friend Mr. Jean Troillet, a very strong climber who has reached the Summit of many 8000 meters peaks including K2 and Everest.

Mr. Erhard Loretan climbed many of the 8000 meters peak in alpine style. However, he climbed Nanga Parbat in 95 with the use of fixed rope. He wishes to climb the unclimbed Mazeno Ridge in Alpine Style.  Maybe next time...

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/30/2000 Update

A French La Rochelle (Unnamed) Peak 7010 meter Expedition, led by Mr. Nicolas Sieger, consisting of 4 members successful in climbing the peak by putting following members of its top.

Mr. Nicolas Sieger on 22 August, 2000 at 2100 hours.

As per government of Pakistan rules Nicalas Sieger asked the government of Pakistan to named it "La Rochelle"  after his city in France. After climbing a unnamed peak one can ask government of Pakistan to named it of his/her choice.

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/28/2000 Update

1.) The successful American International K2 expedition leader Mr. Gary Pfisterer is flying to New York today. 

2.) Mexican Trango Tower expedition, consisting of 3 members led by Mr. Armando Detoli, are back in Pindi without any success. But they described their expedition as a very successful one as it was their first time in Pakistan.

3.) Shipton Spire: Two guys from USA (Mike and John) climbed the Shipton Spire in a record 3 days time, they are said to be from Colorado.

4.) Japan Dirgulzom 6778 meters expedition, led by Mr. Minamii Hidehiro consisting of 5 members, were successful in scaling the peak by putting following members of its top. 

Mr. Minamii Hidehiro ,Mr. Ken Ikeya, and Mr. Y. Yokochi.

5.) The South Korean Broad Peak expedition led by Mr. Park Young consisting of 7 members was successful in scaling the peak on July 30th by putting following members on its top.

Mr. Park Young Seok  30-7-00, Mr. Kim Hyoung Woo, Mr. Kang Seong Gyu, Mr. Oh Hee Joon, Mr. Lee Hyun Jo, and Mr. Nisar Hussain high porter. 

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/24/2000 Update

Dear Travelers,

We are observing a very serious problem. Many of our clients who arrive early to schedule a way back home, could not get flights. All the flight going out of Pakistan are heavily booked, most of them are minus 30 to 50. Seats are not available for one or more months.

You are advised to bring confirmed tickets for your return from Pakistan. And kindly reconfirm your tickets soon after your arrival in Pakistan or at least one week before your departure from Pakistan. Don't wait for 72 hours time given by your ticketing agent.

Have a nice holidays in Pakistan.

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/22/2000 Update

Incoming Expedition News:

Pakistan French expedition consisting of 6 members led by Mr. Bernard Nadaud leave Rawalpindi on 18/7/00 for Skardu to attempt Spantik Peak 7027 meters. 

Italy Diran Peak 7266 meters led by Mr. Nical Berzi consisting of 11 members leave Rawalpindi for Gilgit on 18 July to attempt the Diran Peak. 

A Japanese Spantik Peak led by Mr. Hiroshi Iwazaki consisting of 07 members proceeding to Skardu on July 16 to attempt the Spantik Peak. 

A Japanese Phuparash - I peak expedition led by Mr. Hideki Nakayama consisting of 03 members proceeding to Gilgit on July 23 to attempt the peak.

Swiss Nanga Parbat expedition led by Mr. Erhard Loretan (climber of fourteen 8000 meters peak of the world) consisting of 04 members leave Rawalpindi for Chilas on 26 July to attempt  the Peak. 

British Spantik Peak expedition led by Mr. David Hamilton consisting of 17 members leave Rawalpindi for Skardu on 31/7/00 to attempt the peak. 

A Spanish Diran Peak expedition led by Mr. Pascual Garriga consisting of 07 members leave Rawalpindi on 1st August for Gilgit to attempt the peak. 

A Japanese Latok 5 expedition led by Mr. Motomo Omiya consisting of 05 members leave Rawalpindi on 3rd August for Skardu to attempt the peak. 

A Spanish Nanga Parbat expedition led by Mr. Ruben Aramendia Perez consisting of 07 members leave Rawalpindi on 4th July for Chilas to attempt the peak. 

Great Britain Drifica Peak expedition led by Mr. Scott Elbourne consisting of 06 members leave Rawalpindi for Skardu on 4 July to attempt the peak. 

A Japanese Dir Gul Zom peak expedition led by Mr. Minamii Hidehiro consisting of 05 members leave Rawalpindi on 11 July for Chitral to attempt the peak.

Stay Tuned

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/19/2000 Update

Summits, Summits, more Summits !

1.) Trango 2000 - Eternal Flame IX - Sachsisch Schweizerische Expedition

German Switzerland Trango Tower expedition led by Mr. Michael Richter consisting of 08 members successful in scaling the peak by putting the following members on its top.

Summit dates: 7/22/2000

Jens Richter,  Rudiger Helling, Eternal Flame (German Route)

Urs Stoecker, Markus Stofer, Slovenia Route

Summits: 7/27/2000

Rainer Treppte, Steffen Geibler, Christian Baum, Eternal Flame (German Route)

2.) Spantik

French International Spantik Expedition led by Mr. Pellissier consisting of 07 members successful in scaling the peak by putting the following members on its top:

1. Pellissier Mam June 15 
2. Gay Mam  June 15
3. Prezely Markes June 15
4. Oszusutt Attila June 15
5 Klener Alexander June 18th
6 Derr Mikhail June 18th

3.) LLSI Russian Spantik peak expedition led by Mr. Lov Ioffe successful in scaling the peak by putting following members on its top on July 29th.

Lena Lebedeve, Andre Alexandrov, and Lev Ioffe. 

4.) Gasherbrum II 8035 meters

French GII expedition led by Le Touze Joel consisting of 07 members successfully scaling the peak by putting the following members on its top.

1. Le Touze Joel  July 30th at 1000 hours
2. Ducret Eric         
3. Thery Patrice     
4. Paret Alain        
5. Serpette Herve  
6. Thevenet Jean Marie  
7. Wahab Ali Shah high altitude porter (Pakistani) 
8. Sajjad Ullah Baig high altitude porter (Pakistani) 
9. Amin Ullah Baig high altitude porter (Pakistani) 

5.) French GII Expedition led by Mr. Denis Chatrefou  consisting of 07 members successful in scaling the peak by putting following members on its top.

1. Chatrefou Denis July 28th at 1500 hours
2. Chatrefou Mathias   
3. Delore Xaiver        
4. Maurette Martine    July 30 at 10.00 hours
5. Vinard Jean Lou      July 30  at 1500 hours

6.) Swiss GII expedition led by Mr. Marcel Kaarz consisting of 07 members successful in scaling the peak by putting the following members on its top.

1. Marcel Kaaraz  July 22
2. Josef Aregger  
3. Fabio Aspali    

7.) German Amical Alpine Club GI and GII expedition 2000 consisting of 13 members successful in scaling GII by putting following members on its top.

1. Alois Bogenschutz July 22 10.00 am
2. Albert Hausler             
3. Jurgen Spescha           
4. Steffen Mayr                
5. Richard Stihler            
6. Paula Hub                    
7. Gerhard Osterbauer    
8. Walter Treibel             
9. Ralf Djmovits             
10 Qudrat Ali high altitude porter 
11 Rasul  high altitude porters 
12 Subz Ali high altitude porter  

8.) Swiss expedition led by Mr. Kari Kobler consisting of 07 members successful in scaling the peak by putting following members on its top.

Kari Kobler  July 22 at 10.30 hours
Miss Michele Merae       
Olivier Pasche                
Mrs. Madileine Pasche  
Vwe Micha Johannes Goltz  

9.) Swiss expedition led by Mr. Hans Rudi Wirth consisting of 7 members successful in scaling the peak by putting following members on its top.

Jean Mare Witch  July 22 1030 hours
Hugo Gustar Schmokez   
Barbara Hirchbicheer 

10.) Venezuela Proyecto Cumbre GI and GII expedition led by Mr. Jose Delgado consisting of 7 members successful in scaling the peak by putting the following members on the top.

Mr. Jose Delgado July 28th at 1200 hours
Mr. Carlos Castillo       
Ghulam Rasool high altitude porter   

11.) Italian Focus International Expedition led by Mr. Bona Mario consisting of 4 members successful in scaling the peak by putting the following members on its top.

1. Dibona Mario      July 22nd at 5 pm
2. Benedetti Renzo    

12.) International GI and GII expedition led by Mr. Henry Todd consisting of 04 members successful in scaling the peak by putting the following members on its top.

Ilgvars Pauls  23 July, 00 at 1100 hours

13.) Nanga Parbat

Korean Millenium Nanga Parbat expedition led by Hong Ki Kun successful in scaling the peak by putting following members of its top.

Kwon Oh Soo July 9th at 13.30 hours
Lee Hwa Hyeung 
Lee Hong Kil 

Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/18/2000 Update

Gary, Evan, Andy and Billy is back in Pindi sorting out their ticketing back home. [All members of the American International K2 2000 Expedition]

Every things is fine, waiting for the debriefing with tourism office. 

Regards, Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/14/2000 Update

14 AUGUST PAKISTAN'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

In connection with Pakistan Independence Day celebration POLO matches will be held in Gilgit, Skardu, and the Chitral Valleys.

SILK ROUTE FESTIVAL 12 -20 September

Lok Versa Pakistan is organizing a Silk Route Festival  from 12 - 20 September. Festival activities includes food festival, dance festival, art and craft festival and much more. Artisan from Silk Roue countries will participant in this festival.  It will be organize in Chilas Gilgit Hunza Valley respectively. For further information contact virsa@culture.isb.sdnpk..org

Death on GII and Diran: Felix Inurrategi (Spanish) died [ As reporter earlier on EverestNews.com.] while descending from the Summit of GII while coming down with his brother after a successful attempt. Omar Veccio and Tom Italian national died on Diran Peak. 

During the same period, a Japanese single man expedition on Diran Peak was forced to cancelled his expedition when all on his high altitude equipment got caught in an avalanche.

Korean K2 Expedition, led by Mr. Wi Yeong Kim, came back successfully.

Russian Latok III expedition, led by Alexandre, are back unsuccessful.

French GII expedition, led by Mr. Denis, came back successfully.

German Trango Tower Expedition return back successfully led by Jens Richter. 8 members got to the top. 

GII French Expedition, led by Mr. Joel Loutze, got success. 6 members reached the top along with 3 high porters from Shimshal valley.

Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/12/2000 Update

Dear Friends and Family,

The Skardu Gilgit road is now open, tourists trapped in Skardu valley due to land slides are now rushing down to Pindi for their journey back home.

Some of the successful Gary Pfisterer K2 expedition members are coming down: Chris Shaw, Andy Evans, Tony Tonsing and Peter are now here in Pindi and are sorting out their flights back home. The rest of the members are expected in Pindi in one week time.

Simon Yates UK leader of the 4 members Diran Peak expedition is expected back in Pindi in few days. Status of their expedition is yet now known.

The two men Latok expedition led by Tom Nonis is also heading back to Pindi.

Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/10/2000 Update

Dear Friends and Families,

Skardu Gilgit road is still blocked by landslides from about 7 places. The people who are trapped in Skardu either taking chance to fly back to Islamabad or taking a route via the famous Deosai Pleatue (4000 meters high) jeep road link with a valley near Nanga Parbat. 

Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/9/2000 Update

PEAK ROYALTY FEE effective from January 2001

1. K2 (6811 meters) 12,000 US Dollars US $ 2,000 (For each additional member exceeding 7 per team).

2. 8001-8500 meters 9,500 US Dollars US $ 1,500 (For each additional member exceeding 7 per team).

3. 7501-8000 meters 4,000 US Dollars US $ 500 (For each additional member exceeding 7 per team).

4. 7001-7500 meters 2,500 US Dollars US $ 300 (For each additional member exceeding 7 per team).

5. 6000-7000 meters 1,500 US Dollars US $ 200 (For each additional member exceeding 7 per team).

Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/8/2000 Update

1.) Swiss expedition, led by Mr. Kari Kobler, consisted of 7 members climbed GII. The following members reached the summit. 

Kari Kobler on 22 July,

Miss Michele Merae on 22 July,

Olivier Pasche on 22 July,

Mrs. Madileine Pasche on 22 July

Vwe Miche Johannes Goltz on 22 July 

2.) Swiss Expedition, led by Hans Kudi Wirth, consisted of 7 members climbed GII. Three members reached to the summit.

Jean Mare Witch on 22 July, 

Hugo Gustar Schmokz on 22 July, 

Barbara Hirchbicheer on 22 July.

3.) LLSI Russian Spantik expedition, led by Lev Ioffe, consisted of 3 members climbed Spantik Peak. The following members reached the summit:

Lena Lebedera on 29 July, 

Andreis Alexander on 29 July, 

Lev Ioffe Leader of the expedition on 29 July. 

4.) Korean K2 Expedition, led by Mr. Han Kyo Yoo, consisted of 12 members climbed the mountain and following members reached the summit.

Han Khy Yoo on 31 July,

Hong Gil Um 31 July, 

Hang on 31 July, 

Sang Hyun Mo on 31 July,

Serap Jangbu Sherpa on 31 July, 

Taek Park on 31 July

5.) Italian Diran Peak expedition, led by Mr. Niclo Berzi, left Pakistan on 7/8/00. Unsuccessful.

6.) Spanish Chogoliza expedition, led by Jose Carlos Tamayo, is expected to come down from Rawalpindi in few days. It is not yet known if they reached the summit. 

Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com

8/7/2000 Update: 

1.) All three members Mexican Nameless Tower expedition, led by Mr. Armando Dattoli De La Vega, are attempting Nameless Tower. In a couple of days they will make their final attempt for the top. They are expected to leave Base Camp on 16 August and fly back on 30 August from Pakistan. 

2.) Messner gives up Nanga Parbat for 2000, after moving high on the mountain and finding the Summit ridge very dangerous, he wisely turned back. Messner along with Nazir Sabir met the chief Executive of Pakistan Gen. Perviaz Musharaf and discuss various issues in promoting tourism in Pakistan. Messner also told chief Executive that he is planning to make a school in Diamer region in memory of his brother who died on Nanga Parbat.

3.) A two members team of Doug Chabot and Jack Tackle (the American Biantha Brakk Expedition) is back in Pindi. Today they fly back to Seattle via London. They could not got to the top but they described it as a very successful expedition in the sense of all the other expedition's tasks gone very smoothly. 

4.) A French La Rochelle (Unnamed Peak 7010 meters) expedition led by Mr. Nicolas Sieger plus three others left Pindi 4 days ago for the Shiskit Village in Upper Hunza.

They will attempt a unnamed peak in the Shimshal valley near Lupghur Sar 7200 meters via the Baltbar Glacier from Shiskit village. They are planning to stay in Pakistan until the end of August. If they climb this peak they are looking forward to name it La Rochelle in respect of their city in France. As per the law in Pakistan any expedition who reaches the summit of an unnamed peak they can give the name they like. 

5.) Dear Friends and Families,

Due to recent spell of rain in Northern Areas of Pakistan most of the road are in bad shape especially Askole - Skardu. The Skardu - Gilgit road is rough in many places and the Gilgit -PIndi road is also in some places. Those who did not hear from their love one don't have to worry because telephone lines are not working or very hard to get connected from Skardu. Most people who are coming out from Skardu are coming by air.

Asghar Ali Porik Jasminetours.com