Plizio Visual Lab

Gasherbrum II

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Mountain

Weather…

Gasherbrum II (K4) is the 13th highest mountain in the world at 8,035 meters. It is part of the Gasherbrum group in the Karakoram and is located on the border of Pakistan and China. It is considered the easiest eight-thousander to climb in the Karakoram, making it a popular target for mountaineers looking to summit their first 8000m peak. The first ascent was made in 1956 by an Austrian expedition. The mountain has a distinctive pyramidal shape. There are several routes to the summit, with the normal route being via the southwest ridge. Despite its relative 'ease', the mountain still poses significant risks, including avalanches and extreme weather conditions. In 2007, the first ski descent from the summit of Gasherbrum II was successfully completed.

Location: Pakistan
Top sights: Gasherbrum VII · Gasherbrum II East · Gasherbrum II

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-24	-21	-18	-12	-8	-4	0	0	-5	-11	-18	-22
Rain mm	19	22	19	22	24	20	25	25	16	7	13	9

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Reaching the base camp for this towering peak requires a demanding, multi-day trek starting typically from the town of Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan. The remote route winds through the challenging Baltoro Glacier region in the Karakoram range.

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Best season

The incredibly narrow climbing and trekking window is restricted to the mid-summer months, typically July and August, when conditions are most stable. Outside this short period, extreme weather, deep snow, and severe avalanches make access impossible.

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Terrain & paths

The terrain is exceptionally rugged, consisting of shifting glacial moraines, deep crevasses, steep ice walls, and high-altitude rocky slopes. Navigating the approach requires immense physical stamina and advanced mountaineering skills in a harsh environment.

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What to bring

Expeditions require comprehensive, specialized high-altitude mountaineering equipment, including crampons, ice axes, heavily insulated extreme-cold clothing, and proper ropes. Heavy-duty camping gear and high-quality sun protection against intense alpine glare are also vital.

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Parking

All standard vehicle travel definitively ends in Skardu or the very small village of Askole, which acts as the literal end of the road. From this point onwards, all gear must be carried by specialized local porters or pack animals for several days.

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Safety

Ascending anywhere near the 13th highest peak in the world poses extreme risks, including severe altitude sickness, sudden violent storms, and lethal avalanches. Professional local expedition companies and comprehensive emergency evacuation insurance are strictly mandatory.

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Time needed

Reaching just the base camp involves a strenuous trek of around one to two weeks depending on the exact route and acclimatization schedule. Full climbing expeditions to higher camps or the summit typically span several weeks up to a couple of months.

Geography

Coordinates

35.75000, 76.60000

Facts

The mountain was first climbed on July 7, 1956.
It is the third-highest peak of the Gasherbrum group.
The first woman to reach the summit was a Pole in 1984.
The first person to climb all 14 eight-thousanders, Reinhold Messner, climbed GII in 1982.
The first winter ascent was made by Simone Moro, Denis Urubko and Cory Richards in 2011.
The mountain has one of the lowest death rates among the eight-thousanders.
Gasherbrum II is one of the few eight-thousanders to have been skied down.