This high mountain pass traverses a 5,600m saddle between the Snow Lake and Nobande Sobande,
A French freeride expedition made the pass famous by conducting first ski descents of the Biacherahi North Tower in 2018, hauling sleds loaded with supplies through a 150âŻkm glacier loop that included Skam La
Islamabad International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Youâll travel through some of the least-touched glaciers in the Karakoram, including Nobande Sobande, Panmah, and Sim Gang.
Expect no human settlements or signals for days â complete wilderness.
Multiple glaciers with crevasses, seracs, and unstable snow bridges.
Some sections require rope work, crampons, ice axe use, and strong navigation skills.
Western ascent of Skam La involves 150â200m of steep ice/snow climbing, which can be physically demanding and risky depending on conditions.
Temperatures can drop below -20°C at night at high camps.
Sudden snowstorms, whiteouts, and strong winds are common near the pass.
Youâll witness rare sights like Snow Lake, towering peaks like Baintha Brakk (The Ogre), and vast glacial plains â truly surreal.
Daily 6â10 hour treks on mixed terrain (rock, snow, ice).
Requires excellent physical conditioning, endurance, and high-altitude acclimatization.
There are no rescue options, no porters beyond certain points, and limited weather updates.
Your team must carry all essentials: food, fuel, tents, and glacier gear.
Expect a once-in-a-lifetime experience, far from commercial trails.
A true test of mountaineering spirit, rewarded with unmatched beauty and personal achievement.
| Day | Activity | Altitude (m) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Islamabad | ~540 | Briefing and gear check |
| 2 | Fly/Drive to Skardu | ~2,200 | Flight preferred; road 2 days |
| 3 | Drive to Askole | ~3,000 | 6-7 hours drive |
| 4 | Trek to Jula | ~3,400 | Easy acclimatization day |
| 5 | Trek to Panma Glacier | ~3,600 | Gradual elevation gain |
| 6 | Trek to Skin Mang | ~4,000 | crossing Panma Glacier |
| 7 | Trek to Nobande Sobande | ~4,600 | Trek on glacier |
| 8-9 | Trek to Skam La Basecamp | ~5,000 | Extra Day (Incase of Bed weather) |
| 10 | Â Crossing Skam La Pass | ~5,600 | Crossing Skam La Pass |
| 11 | Trek Sim Gang Glacier | ~4,900 | Glacier Walk |
| 12 | Trek to Korfoghro | ~4,000 | Glacier walk |
| 13 | Trek to Bianta | ~3,700 | Glacier walk |
| 14 | Trek to Namla | ~3,400 | Glacier walk |
| 15 | Trek to Askole | ~3,000 | Easy Trek |
| 16 | Drive to Skardu | ~2,400 | 6-7 hours Drive |
| 17 | Fly to Islamabad | ~540 | 1 hour flight and departure |
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Abdul Joshi: The Man Who Turns Mountains Into Maps
Calling Abdul Joshi a guide doesnât quite cut it. Heâs a force of natureâsomeone who doesnât just follow trails, he creates them. Iâve crossed some of the toughest and least-forgiving passes with himâKhurdopin, Mashabrum, Virjirav, Skam La and others that barely exist on any map. Where most would hesitate, Abdul moves with clarity and confidence, reading glaciers like familiar ground and moving through collapsing seracs like theyâre routine. His intuition in the mountains is unreal, his commitment to safety unshakable, and his energy contagious. If you want a real Karakoram experienceâraw, challenging, and awe-inspiringâShimshal Mountain Guides with Abdul at the helm is the only name you need to know. Heâs not just a guideâheâs a legend in motion.
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Abdul Joshi â The Ultimate âPath Finderâ of the Karakoram!*
Iâve lost count of how many times *Abdul Joshi* has left me in awe with his *uncanny ability to navigate the most complex glacial terrains* in the Karakoram and Himalayas. Over multiple expeditionsâcrossing *Khurdopin, Mashabrum, Virjirav, Tillman, Sim, and Skum PassesâIâve witnessed why his team rightly calls him *âThe Path Finder.â**
Glaciers shift, crevasses appear overnight, and routes vanish under fresh snowâyet Abdul *reads the ice like a map. His instinct for finding safe passages through seemingly impassable terrain is nothing short of genius. Whether traversing the chaotic icefalls of Khurdopin or picking a line through the maze-like Virjirav, his decisions are **sharp, calculated, and always spot-on*.
Beyond his technical mastery, Abdulâs leadership ensures *safety, teamwork, and camaraderie* in the harshest conditions. The *Shimshal Mountain Guides* website (https://www.shimshalmountainguides.com)) reflects this professionalism, offering clear expedition details and seamless planningâbut the real magic happens in the mountains, where Abdulâs expertise shines.
For anyone seeking *true high-altitude adventure with a guide who *knows the Karakoram like the back of his hand*, Abdul Joshi is **the best in the business*. Iâd follow âThe Path Finderâ anywhereâand plan to, again and again!
