All Locations > International > Asia > Pakistan > Nanga Parbat

Rupal Face Climbing

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Elevation:	26,600 ft
GPS:	28.6135, 68.5547 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	3,521 total · 19/month
Shared By:	Ali Jaffri on Jan 10, 2009
Admins:	Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Restricted Zone Details

Access Issue: Permit required above 6500 meters. Details

The Pakistani definition of a mountain according to the Ministry of Tourism in Islamabad is a peak higher than 6500 meters, 21,450 feet. Therefore you dont need permits for peaks lower than that mark. Anything higher, or if you are hiking within 20 km of an international border you will need permits. For a permit, you need to either: 1. Licensed mountain guide OR 2. Pakistan Army Liason Officer (LO) to guide you along the way. The guide/LO has to be equipped with gear that will allow him to hike with you till the base camp of your peak.

Access Issue: Restricted Zone Details

You will need to contact a tour operator in Pakistan or in the US who has licensed guides through the ministry of tourism in Pakistan. They will arrange for a permit.

Description

This is the largest face in the world. 68 degrees at the bottom, 85 degrees near the top. The base camp is 11,000 feet (unusually low for Himalayan peaks) and the summit is at 26,600 feet. The face was first climbed by the Messner brothers and was climbed in alpine style by Steve House and Vince Anderson.

Getting There

Take a bus from Rawalpindi Pir Wadhai bus station to the town of Astor OR fly from Islamabad to Gilgit and take a van or bus to Astor. From Astor hire a private jeep that will take you to Tarshing. From Tarshing you can now hitch a ride to the village of Rupal. From there its a 1 day hike to the basecamp and involves an easy glacier crossing. To avoid the monsoons (Last week of July-First week of August) try getting there in Mid May.