Gasherbrum I is worldly renowned as “The Hidden Mountain” which ravishingly lies in the secluded district of Shigar in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The Eleventh Eight Thousander is elevated at 8,080 meters and is a significant part of the Gasherbrum Massif which is also called “The Hidden Mountain” for its remoteness. However, the Balti people beg to differ. The mountain has its own ancient name with a remarkable meaning formed with two different words: “Rgasha” meaning beautiful and “Brum” meaning mountain.
A group of international expeditions led by Swiss Guinter Oskar Dyhrenfurth were the first to explore the Gasherbrum Massif in 1934 but failed to reach the summits of both Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. Eventually, the fifth peak of the Karakoram Region was first ascended by Pete Schoening and Andy Kauffman on July 5, 1958, who were the members of an eight-man-American Expedition team led by Nicholas B.Clinch. The mountain was first discovered by the British surveyor, Thomas George Montgomerie in 1856 while he was partaking in The Great Trigonometric Survey in India who also named Gasherbrum I as K5 indicating the fifth peak of the Karakoram region.
This expedition on an eight-thousander is undoubtedly a lifetime experience that gifts some marvelous views of Baltoro Glacier, Muztagh Tower, Masherbrum, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV, and the impregnable K2. Gasherbrum I could be a demanding mountaineering experience for those who desire to speculate their highest ability. Despite being the eleventh highest peak of the world, one shall not underestimate its rigor. It is an extremely challenging climb because of its unique geographical formation with only less than 200 successful ascents have been recorded so far. Thus, it is not a convenient climb and requires an excellent level of psychological potency and physicality that one must have to stand glorious on its summit.
The best season to climb Broad Gasherbrum I:
The most favorable season to climb is summer. Most of the ascents have been accomplished in July and August as they are the warmest months of the year. The expedition to the summit of Gasherbrum I is more gratifying in these months than winter. However, the first winter ascent to the summit was accomplished by Adam Bielecki and Janusz Golab from Poland on March 9, 2012, without any supplementary oxygen marking an extraordinary history.