Gasherbrum I, also known as Hidden Peak and K5, is the eleventh highest mountain in the world and one of the most impressive sights in the Karakoram mountain range. Situated on the border between Pakistan and China, it towers 8,080 meters, or 26,510 feet, above sea level, making it one of the most challenging and awe-inspiring climbs on the planet.
The designation K5 comes from the fact that it's the "5th peak of the Karakoram." In 1892, the name "Hidden Peak" was suggested by William Martin Conway for its remoteness. The word "Gasherbrum" is often described as meaning "shining wall" (and was likely chosen for another nearby peak, Gasherbrum IV which has a large steep face that shines in the sun.
Gasherbrum I: At a Glance
Height: 8,080 meters, or 26,510 feet
Prominence: 2,155 meters or 7,070 feet
Range: Karakoram region of the Himalayas
First Ascent: July 5th 1958 by Pete Schoening and Andy Kauffman
Where is Gasherbrum I?
Gasherbrum I, or Hidden Peak, is located in the Karakoram mountain range of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It lies about 8km east of the Siachen Glacier, and is the eleventh highest mountain in the world, with an elevation of 8,080 metres (26,509 feet).
The mountain is part of the Gasherbrum Massif, which includes Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, Broad Peak, and other peaks. The massif is situated at the heart of the Karakoram range, which stretches from northern Pakistan to western China.
Climbing History
The first attempt to summit Gasherbrum I, also known as Hidden Peak or K5, was made in 1934 by a Swiss expedition. They did not reach the summit, but made it to around 20,600 feet. An expedition two years later by French climbers made it to 22,640 and the mountain was first successfully climbed in 1958 by an American team.
In 1975, the famed climber Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler made it to the summit via the Northwest Route. Another new route was climbed in 1977.
The first winter ascent was completed in2012 by Adam Bielecki (Poland) and Janusz Gołąb (they also didn't use oxygen). Another new route was established on the mountain in 2017, known as Statisfaction! by Czech climbers Marek 'Mára' Holeček and Zdeněk Hák.
Facts about Gasherbrum I
1. Gasherbrum I, also known as Hidden Peak or K5, is located in the Karakoram mountain range of the Himalayas, on the border between Pakistan and China. It is the eleventh highest mountain in the world, standing at 8,080 meters (26,509 feet) above sea level.
2. The mountain was first successfully climbed in 1958 by an American-Pakistani team consisting of Pete Schoening, Bob Swift, Richard Kauffman, George Bell, and John Evans.
3. The mountain has been subject to more than 30 expeditions since the first successful climb, with more than 200 successful summits by various teams from different countries.
4. The Japanese climber Akira Oyabe holds the record for the fastest ascent of Gasherbrum I, completing the climb in just 7 hours and 24 minutes on July 21, 2011.
5. The south face of Gasherbrum I is considered one of the most challenging faces to climb due to its steepness and high risk of avalanches.
6. Gasherbrum I is part of a group of five 8,000 meter peaks called the Gasherbrums or "Hidden Peaks" that lie in the Karakoram mountain range of the Himalayas. The other four mountains are Gasherbrum II, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV, and Gasherbrum V.
Other Mountains in Pakistan and China
Pakistan is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking mountains, including Gasherbrum I, which stands at 8,091 meters (26,509 feet) above sea level and is the 11th highest mountain in the world. Located in the Karakoram Range of the Himalayas, it is one of the peaks making up the Gasherbrum massif.
Other notable peaks in Pakistan include K2, which stands at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) above sea level and is the second highest mountain in the world. Broad Peak and Masherbrum are other noteworthy mountains located in the Karakoram Range, with elevations of 8,051 meters (26,414 feet) and 7,821 meters (25,659 feet) respectively.
In China and Nepal, Mount Everest stands at a towering 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level and is the world’s highest peak. Other prominent mountains in China and Nepal include Makalu (8,463 meters/27,766 feet), Lhotse (8,516 meters/27,940 feet), Cho Oyu (8,188 meters/26,864 feet), and Shishapangma (8,027 meters/26,335 feet). All of these mountains are located in the Himalayas and are higher than 8,000 meters.