Rakaposhi, also known as “Snow Covered,” is a majestic mountain located in the Karakoram range of Pakistan. With an elevation of 7,788 meters (25,551 feet), it is the 27th highest peak in the world and the 12th highest in Pakistan.
The mountain’s first recorded attempt was made in 1957 by a British-Pakistani team, which was unsuccessful. However, in 1958, an Austrian-German team led by Fritz Moravec successfully climbed to the summit. Since then, the mountain has seen several climbing expeditions, with the most recent successful ascent being made in 2019.
The geology of the Rakaposhi area is quite interesting and diverse. The mountain is composed mainly of sedimentary rocks such as limestone, sandstone and shale, which were formed millions of years ago. These rocks have been uplifted and folded to form the majestic peaks of the Karakoram range. The area is also home to a variety of minerals, including gold, silver, copper and lead.
Rakaposhi is also notable for its glacial features, including the large Rakaposhi glacier which is located at the base of the mountain. The glacier is fed by snow and ice from the mountain’s slopes and is a popular spot for trekkers and mountaineers.
Despite being a less frequented mountain compared to others, Rakaposhi remains a challenging climb and many climbers have lost their lives on its slopes. But the rewards of climbing Rakaposhi are great: the views from the summit are simply breathtaking and the experience of standing on top of such a majestic peak is truly unforgettable.
Many people make the trek to Rakaposhi Basecamp during peak season and it provides one of the more immersive trekking experiences in the area. It requires camping under the stars, falling asleep to gentle tree breeze and distance glacial land sliding while gathering around a fire at night to stay warm. The trail is more frequented now in recent times with the growth of the fledgling tourist industry in the Northern Areas but still off the beaten track for most. Due to its surreal views, impressive geology and rather intermediate level trekking, it features in a lot of the trekking itineraries we put together for our clients in Pakistan.
In conclusion, Rakaposhi is a beautiful mountain located in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, with a rich geology, glacial features, and a challenging climb. It has been climbed successfully several times and continues to attract climbers from all over the world. This is my favourite trek in the area.
