Approach

     We returned to Pakistan after going to Galicia to look for the funds we needed to visit the four summits of the Karakorum. Those days, the multicolored terrritory of Pakistan was darkened by the atom tests carried by the Government in some regions. We remained seven days in Rawalpindi to get the permits granted. It was the first time that they granted a multiple permit (for four 8000m peaks). However, we had to bear a two liaison officer's surveillance.

On the dotted line, the route of approach followed to reach basecamp on the Gasherbrum.

     A Galician mountaneers team came with us. In Skardu we arranged last preparations. From there we went to Askole by jeep during a whole day through hanging-on-air roads on the river Braldo narrow pass. Sadly, a few days later, a jeep fell down on the same route and its two occupants died.

     We continued on our trip to Khoropon, starting point of the approach, that we did supported by the porters. On the following day, a new fright: on fording a river Braldo tributary, to avoid a 5 hours detour to the Garari, a porter was taken away by the stream about 500 meters. Fortunately, though he was very bad, he survived. After the incident, we arrived in Paiju, a window to the 8000m peaks paradise; a wonderful place, bucolic, encouraging, in front of the Trango towers, the Cathedrals, Uli Bahiao, the unnamed Tower and the everlasting snows of that endless glacier: the Baltoro.

Ibrahim, one of the 80 porters who supported us on the approach.	Porters fording a tributary of Braldo River on the approach to the Karakorum Range (Pakistan).