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K2 & G2 Rapid Ascent™ Base Camp Trek

16 Days in Karakoram Pakistan / (Skill level: Intermediate)

Price per person

$7,950 (Includes departure helicopter from base camp to Skardu)
  • Next Available: Jun 24, 2023 - Jul 09, 2023
  • Upcoming: Jun 23, 2024 - Jul 08, 2024
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About this trip

Trek through the storied Karakoram Mountain Range in northern Pakistan to the Base Camps of two of the worlds tallest mountains: K2 and Gasherbrum II. Trekking in Rapid Ascent™ style, we'll explore this incredible mountain range while accompanying our team that will continue on to the summit G2. We use premier logistics that are the same as those used on the region's high altitude climbing peaks.

Overview

  • skill level

    Intermediate

  • Duration

    16 Days

The Karakoram is one of the most remote and stunning mountain ranges in the world. Holding the highest concentration of 7,000m+ peaks on the planet, this incredible trek will take us beneath giant peaks and across expansive glaciers. We will trek to the base camps of the second tallest mountain in the world, the mighty K2, and the 13th, Gasherbrum II. This trek will be done in Rapid Ascent™ style, meaning that we will pre-acclimatize prior to the trip so that we can move quickly while at altitude without having to take the time to acclimate in-country.

Begin in Islamabad

After flying into Islamabad and spending several days of traveling through northern Pakistan, we’ll arrive at the small village of Askoli. This is where we’ll start our nine day trek through the Karakoram. The approach to the K2 and G2 base camps will pass under 7,000m peaks and massive granite walls as we follow the Baltoro Glacier. Coming to the confluence of the Baltoro and Austin Godwin Glaciers, we’ll arrive at Concordia Camp and the heart of the Karakoram. From here we will be able to see the summits of K2 (8,611m, 28,251′) and Broad Peak (8,047m, 26,414′) to the north, the Gasherbrum Group directly to the east, and Baltoro Kangri (7,312m, 23,990′) to the southeast. Surrounded by 7 and 8,000m peaks, it is broadly thought of as one of the most magnificent camp sites in the world.

K2 and G2 Base Camps

We’ll then make our way to the north end of the valley and to the base camps of Broad Peak and K2, where you’ll stand in awe at the foot of the the second tallest peak on the planet. K2 is known as the “Mountain of Mountains”, with its summit rising nearly 10,000′ above the valley floor it is truly a site to behold. After soaking in the power and beauty of K2, we’ll return to Concordia Camp for a night before working our way to the southeast end of the valley to the G2 Base Camp.

From our final camp ground we’ll be able to see the summits of Gasherbrum I (8,080m, 26,509′) and Gasherbrum II (8,034, 26’362′), and we’ll spend a day admiring the spectacular mountain scenery. The following day we’ll take a helicopter from G2 Base Camp back to the city of Skardu. From here we’ll return to Islamabad and depart for home having had an adventure of a lifetime in Pakistan.

Certified Guides

Our expedition will be lead by veteran Alpenglow Expeditions guide, Esteban “Topo” Mena. Topo is an extremely talented high-altitude mountain guide, having made ten 8,000m summits. He has summited Mt. Everest four times, once without supplemental oxygen, and in 2019 he summited K2 alongside Alpenglow Expeditions Founder Adrian Ballinger and fellow Alpenglow Expeditions guide, Carla Perez.

Our guides draw upon years of experience guiding in the mountains and organizing complicated international expeditions. Alpenglow Expeditions’ logistics, guiding, Base Camp staff, food, and equipment are of the absolute highest level possible.

Preparation

  • Fitness

    Trekkers must be in great physical shape to join this expedition. This is perhaps the most important aspect of high altitude trekking, and cannot be stressed enough. Regular, challenging exercise for many months in advance of departure is the only way to gain the necessary level of fitness that is needed. Please contact us for more information on physical training.

  • Altitude Experience

    Trekkers must have experience at altitudes up to 5,000m (16,400') to join the expedition. We have an altitude experience requirement to ensure that every member of the team has the ability safely pre-acclimatize before the expedition.

  • Download Trip Details

    • Day 1 — Arrive in Islamabad

      After arriving in Islamabad (1,770'), our team will meet you at the airport and transport you to our hotel. We’ll get some much needed rest and start to get over our jet lag.

    • Day 2 — Fly to Skardu

      Today we’ll leave Islamabad and take a spectacular hour-long flight to the city of Skardu (7,300') in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Our flight will have us looking down upon breathtaking mountains like Nanga Parbat (8,124m, 26,653') and Rakaposhi (7,788m, 25,551').

      If the weather is not in our favor and prevents us from flying, we’ll take a luxury van down the Karakoram Highway. This two day journey follows the Indus River along what used to be an ancient Silk Road, and offers incredible views of a region not often explored by western expeditions.

    • Day 3 — Explore Skardu

      Skardu serves as the Capital of the Skardu region, and is a beautiful city with a rich history. The city has bustling bazaars and rustic stores to explore.

      If we are driving from Chilas, we’ll have another day of driving filled with beautiful views. We’ll pass by Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi, and get a chance to see where the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Himalayan mountain ranges meet.

    • Day 4 — Drive to Askoli

      Heading out from Skardu in jeeps, we’ll drive 6-8 hours through the Shigar valley to the village of Askoli (9,800'). We’ll spend the night at the Aksoli campground alongside other trekkers and mountaineering expeditions and prepare for our first day of trekking the following morning.

    • Day 5 — Trek to Joula Camp

      The first day of trekking will see us following the Braldu Valley to where the Braldu and Dumordo Rivers meet. After trekking up the valley, we’ll cross the footbridge over the swift waters of the Dumordo River and arrive at Joula camp. Today's trek will take 6-8 hours and cover 10 miles. It will be a great introduction to the dramatic landscape that is the Karakoram.

    • Day 6 — Trek to Paiju Camp

      We’ll start bright and early on the trail that winds along the Braldu River. As we trek, we’ll get glimpses of the Masherbrum range to the south. Made up of 7,000m (23,000’+) peaks, the Masherbrum range will give us our first real taste of the magnitude of the mountain range that we are traveling in. Arriving at the end of our trekking for the day and settling down beneath the granite spire of Paiju Peak (6,600m, 21,600’), we’ll get our first views of the mighty Baltoro Glacier. The day's trek will be 10 miles and should take us 6-8 hours. The next morning we will start trekking along the Baltoro Glacier, which will eventually lead us all the way to K2 base camp.

    • Day 7 — Trek to Urdukas Camp

      Today will be a long but rewarding day of trekking. Working our way across the Baltoro Glacier, we’ll weave our way through the constantly changing glacial moraines to the south side of the glacier and continue along the side of the valley. As we trek, we’ll be met with incredible views of the Trango Towers (6,300m, 20,000’), Cathedral Towers (6,000m, 19,700’), and Uli Biaho Tower (6,100m, 21,600’).

      Continuing our way up-valley, we’ll gain nearly 2,500’ of elevation and trek more than 12 miles to reach Urdukas camp. Nestled on terraces that were carved out by the 1909 K2 Expedition led by the Duke of the Abruzzi, this unique campsite will leave us breathless with both beauty and effort. We’ll get some well deserved rest before heading to Goro II camp in the morning.

    • Day 8 — Trek to Goro II Camp

      Making our way once again onto the spine of the Baltoro Glacier, we’ll climb and descend the many glacial moraines for 7-8 hours as we head for our camp for the evening, Goro II. Incredible views of Gasherbrum IV (7,900m, 26,001’) and Broad Peak (8,047m, 26,414') will beckon us towards the head of the glacier and the 8,000m peaks that rise above as we work towards camp. Arriving at Goro II, we’ll make camp within the ice-field and prepare to head into the heart of Karakoram in the morning.

    • Day 9 — Trek to Concordia Camp

      Today we’ll be trekking into one of the most beautiful and awe inspiring mountain scenes to be found throughout the world. We’ll pass under Mitre Peak (6,000m, 19,200’) on our way to the famous Concordia camp that rests at the convergence of the Baltoro and Godwin Austen Glaciers. As we continue further along the glacier, 8,000m peaks will begin to reveal themselves to us.

      The Gasherbrum group will be towering in directly in front of us, with glimpses of G1 (8,080m, 26,509') and G2 (8,034m, 26,362') that are just behind the ridge. Broad Peak rises to the north, and only concedes in beauty to K2 laying in wait at the end of the valley. Rising nearly 4,000m above the valley floor, K2 will unveil its full height and grandeur upon reaching Concordia camp.

      It will truly be a moment that will be etched into your memory for the rest of your life, as you step into the valley that holds the highest concentration of 7,000m+ peaks anywhere in the world. Concordia serves as the ideal camp for exploring these peaks, as glaciers from K2, Gasherbrum, and Chogolisa converge. Concordia is thought of as one of the most amazing campsites in the world, and we’ll spend our evening soaking in these spectacular views.

    • Day 10 — Trek to K2 Base Camp (Return to Concordia)

      Today is going to be an epic day. We’ll leave early in the morning and head for the Broad Peak base camp and then onto the main objective for the trek; K2 base camp. Starting the day trekking through the complicated terrain of the Upper Baltoro Glacier, we’ll work our way through meltwater rivers and crevasses until reaching the medial moraine of the Godwin Austen Glacier. Finding easier terrain on the medial moraine, we’ll make our way to Broad Peak base camp. Broad Peak base camp offers a spectacular view of the Karakoram Range with Broad Peak above, K2 ahead, and the expansive Baltoro behind us.

      After taking in the view, we’ll start our journey to the base of the world's second tallest mountain. More glaciated terrain and snow-melt stream crossings await us as we approach K2 base camp. This difficult travel will give us the ultimate reward, and after a few more hours of trekking we'll be standing at the foot of K2 and staring up at the nearly two miles of rock and ice to the summit. We’ll stop at the Gilkey Memorial that honors all of the climbers who have lost their lives while climbing K2, and then start making our way back to Concordia camp.

      This will be a long day, trekking nearly 12 miles and 10 hours from start to finish, but you will have been one of the few that can say they’ve stood at the foot of the “King of Mountains”. We’ll spend one more night at Concordia before heading SE along the Baltoro Glacier to G2 base camp in the morning.

    • Day 11 — Trek to G2 Base Camp

      We’ll leave Concordia camp in the morning and start our journey to Gasherbrum II’s base camp. Trekking along the eastern side of the Baltoro Glacier, we’ll spend the day hiking underneath the Gasherbrum group on our way to G2. We’ll pass by Gasherbrum IV (7,900m, 26,000’) and Gasherbrum VI (6,900m, 22,800’) before reaching the end of the valley marked by the striking Baltoro Kangri (7,300m, 23,900’). G2’s base camp rests at the convergence of the Baltoro and Abruzzi Glaciers, with excellent views of Baltoro Kangri, G2 (8,034m, 26,300’), and G1 (8,080m, 26,300’). We’ll settle into G2 camp after trekking 7 miles over 7-8 hours and gaining nearly 1,900’. G2 base camp will be our highest sleeping elevation of the trip at 16,900’.

    • Day 12 — Explore G2 base Camp

      Today will be an active rest day, giving us the opportunity to explore G2 base camp and rest our tired bodies after seven hard days of trekking. This relaxing day spent at G2 base camp will give you a chance to soak in its stunning views and reflect on our incredible trek through one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. We’ll spend our last night in the Karakoram at G2 base camp, and get ready to take a helicopter from G2 base camp to Skardu the next day.

    • Day 13 — Fly to Skardu

      We’ll wake up and enjoy the sunrise over G2 before packing up camp and taking a beautiful 90 min helicopter flight through the valley back to Skardu. After landing in Skardu we’ll spend the rest of the day celebrating and reminiscing on our trek.

    • Day 14 — Fly to Islamabad

      Today we’ll wrap up our trip by flying from Skardu to Islamabad. We’ll say our goodbyes and prepare to head home from Pakistan.

      If we are not able to fly from Skardu, we’ll start our return journey driving along the Karakoram Highway.

    • Day 15 — Extra Day

      We’ve built-in an extra day in Islamabad in case we are not able to fly from Skardu to Islamabad and are taking this day to finish the drive along the Karakoram Highway.

    • Day 16 — Fly Home

      Today we’ll depart Islamabad for home.

  • Download Equipment List

      • Headwear and Eyewear

      • Hat

        Bring your favorite baseball hat for shelter from the sun. No white under the brim - the reflection off of it from the sun is blinding. Recommended: Alpenglow 5-Panel

        $25.00

      • Beanie

        A comfortable, warm well-fitting hat that covers your ears. Make sure that one of your hats fits under a helmet. Recommended: Eddie Bauer First Slouch Beanie

      • Neck Gaiter (Buff)

        A multi purpose neck gator that can also be worn under your hat. Make sure that it covers as much skin as possible and yet is still comfy. Recommended: Alpenglow Expeditions Buff

      • Balaclava

        We recommend a tight-fitting balaclava that is worn under your hat. Make sure that it covers as much skin as possible, but is comfortable enough to wear for hours. Recommended: Patagonia Balaclava

      • Sunglasses

        Must have dark lenses. Minimal light should come in below, above, or around the sides of the lenses.“Wrap” style is best. Ventilation is important and a retainer strap is very useful (Chums or Croakies). Recommended: Julbo Shield

      • Hands and Feet

      • Lightweight Gloves

        All-around gloves for mountaineering, backcountry skiing, and hiking. These gloves (and similar options) are warm, wind-resistant, durable and have a sure grip. You will rarely take these gloves off. They should be snug-fitting, and have some sort of reinforced palm. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Mountain Glove

      • Midweight Gloves

        These gloves should be full GORE-TEX®, and insulated. These will be your main glove for the trip until summit days, or when it gets especially cold. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Guide Glove

      • Liner Socks (optional)

        A super-thin wicking sock that repels moisture. Liner socks help to reduce the likelihood of blisters. The socks should be thin wool, nylon, or Capilene®. NO COTTON. Recommended: Ice Breaker Hike Liner Crew

      • Hiking Socks

        Your everyday sock, good for day hikes, trekking, and in- town. NO COTTON. Recommended: Patagonia Lightweight Merino Performance Crew Socks

      • Warm Socks

        A wool synthetic blend. Pure rag wool socks are not nearly as effective in wicking moisture or retaining their shape and reducing blisters. NO COTTON. Recommended: Smartwool Mountaineering Extra Heavy Crew Socks

      • Hiking Shoes

        These light to mid-weight shoes are for every day use. The ideal shoe is comfortable to wear for multiple days and scrambles decently on rock. A Gore-tex lined shoe stays drier when hiking in rain or snow. Recommended: La Sportiva TX Guide

      • Upper Body Apparel

      • Lightweight Top

        Ultra-light base layer that effectively wicks moisture away from your body and is breathable. Quick-dry is important as well. One light colored shirt is recommended for extremely sunny days. The new wool blends are also an option. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Resolution Short-Sleeve T-Shirt

      • Long Sleeve Base Layer

        A poly-pro mid-layer that you will never take off. Fitted, light- weight and quick drying. Make sure it is long enough to tuck-in and we recommend zipper collars for more ventilation. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Midweight FreeDry® Merino Hybrid Baselayer 1/4-Zip

      • Warm Layer

        A polarguard or fleece jacket. This is your mid layer that will be worn over your baselayer most of the trip. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Cloud Layer Pro 1/4 Zip or Patagonia R1 Jacket

      • Synthetic Top

        A simple, lightweight synthetic jacket. This item is good for layering systems and the Primaloft keeps you warm when wet. Recommended: Eddie Bauer IgniteLite Stretch Reversible

      • Hard Shell Jacket

        A lightweight, waterproof and breathable jacket WITH A HOOD that can withstand extreme weather conditions. Make sure you have pit-zips and if you are using an old jacket, re-waterproof it. Recommended: Eddie Bauer BC Freshline Jacket

      • Soft Shell Jacket

        While this item isn’t required, we know that those who don’t have one wish they did! More breathable than Gore-tex, these jackets block wind and light precipitation. A windshirt is an option for this layer. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Sandstone

      • Down Parka (5-6,000 Meter Peaks)

        A puffy jacket with a hood that will keep you warm during the coldest of conditions. The higher the quality down, the better (800-fill is best). However, be sure the jacket is still lightweight. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Downlight Hooded Jacket

      • Lower Body Apparel

      • Quick Dry Shorts

        Throw these on under other layers for when the sun begins to beat, or you have a sudden urge to jump in a glacial lake. Lightweight, durable and comfortable. NO COTTON. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Short

      • Trekking Pants

        You will spend most of your days in these pants. Choose a breathable and water resistant pant. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro

      • Base Layer Bottoms

        Fitted and quick drying. This piece will be a base-layer that will get you through a wide range of temperatures. Recommended: SmartwoolMen's Intraknit™ Merino 250 Thermal Bottom

      • Hard Shell Jacket

        A lightweight, waterproof and breathable jacket WITH A HOOD that can withstand extreme weather conditions. Make sure you have pit-zips and if you are using an old jacket, re-waterproof it. Recommended: Eddie Bauer BC Freshline Jacket

      • Insulated Pants (optional)

        Full-length side zippers are recommended, for throwing on top of all of your layers. This layer is optional for those who are prone to the cold! Recommended: Black Diamond Stance Belay Pants

      • Expedition Equipment

      • Duffle Bags

        2 Duffle Bags - At least one bag should be extremely durable, waterproof, and big - between 90L and 120L. You should feel comfortable leaving it in a puddle for several hours. Remember dry clothes are hot commodities in the mountains! Large enough to fit everything you own, plus what you anticipate buying. Two duffel bags are necessary to fit all your equipment for travel (we don't recommend checking your backpack, best is to put all gear and backpack into your duffle). Once in country, you can consolidate your gear into one duffel and your backpack. It's common to leave the second duffel with city clothes and other non-necessary items behind in a locked and secure location that your guide will arrange for you. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Maximus Duffel

      • Sleeping Bag (-20°)

        Rated to -20º F. Choose an 800+ Fill Premium Goose Down bag. Make certain that the sleeping bag is the right length. DON’T FORGET A COMPRESSION SACK FOR THE SLEEPING BAG. Granite Gear Compression Sack is desired. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Kara Koram with Compression Sack

      • Inflatable Sleeping Pad

        72 inch long inflatable pad required. Make sure you also purchase and bring a repair kit + bag for the sleeping pad. Recommended: NeoAir Xtherm

      • Day Pack

        Mid-size pack for city days and trekking. Streamlined, neat and lightweight (10-20 liters). Recommended: Eddie Bauer Bacon 2.0 Pack

      • Backpack 35-45 Liters

        Internal frame pack that is between 35 and 45 liters. Either purchase a matching pack cover, or use garbage bags as liners to protect from precipitation. Make sure the pack is fitted to YOUR body. Recommended: Eddie Bauer Alchemist 40 Pack, or Black Diamond Mission 35 Pack

      • Hydration System (optional)

        Should carry 70-100 ounces. Must be durable and have a reliable closure system. Recommended: MSR Dromlite 2L with Hydration Tube

      • Headlamp

        L.E.D. headlamps are required. Make sure they have 3+ bulbs. Bring extra batteries. We highly recommend a tilting lamp. Recommended:Black Diamond Revolt 350

      • Trekking Pole(s)

        Make sure that they are durable, lightweight + easily adjustable. Recommended:Black Diamond Trailback Trekking Poles

      • Two 1L Nalgene Bottles

        Two 1 Liter Wide Mouth Nalgene bottles. Recommended: Nalgene 1 L wide mouth

      • Plastic Bowl, Mug and Spoon

        A lightweight and compact cookware setup. You'll want a plastic bowl, mug and spoon. Recommended Kit: MSR 2 Person Mess Kit

      • Coffee

        While Alpenglow provides hot drink options every morning, it can be nice to have your own on hand any time you need a boost. With hot water always readily available, having instant coffee packets can give you the energy you need after a long day in the mountains! Recommended: Alpine Start Original Blend Instant Coffee

      • Miscellaneous Items

      • Miscellaneous Items

        • Passport (with visa, if necessary)
        • 2 luggage locks (TSA compliant)
        • Non-cotton underwear
        • Wag bags, 1 per night camping as to leave no trace
        • Heavy duty garbage bags (at least 4)
        • Stuffsacks: assorted sizes, for organizing your clothes and gear
        • Sunscreen: SPF 30 (or higher)
        • Lip balm with SPF 15 (or higher)
        • Personal first-aid kit (Band-aids, Ibuprofen, Cough Drops, Moleskin, Pepto-bismol, Imodium, Personal Medications)
        • Toiletries
        • 3-4lbs of Snack food (a variety of snack food, some whole food, some bars, some gels)
        • Hand Warmers
        • Face Mask
        • Hand Sanitizer
        • Knife
        • Steripen

  • Download Trip Details

    • What is your cancellation policy??

      Please click here to review our international cancellation policy

    • Do I need to purchase Rescue Insurance and Travel Insurance?

      We require Rescue Insurance on all of our international expeditions. Rescue insurance will help cover costs in the event that you need to be rescued off the mountain (Ex: Helicopter/medical evacuation). Travel Insurance (which we strongly recommend) can cover issues that would cause you to cancel your trip in advance, like illness. We recommend Global Rescue for both types of insurance.

      If you do choose Global Rescue, be sure to select the High Altitude Evacuation Add-On that is needed for insurance coverage above 15,000 ft.

    • Is it safe?

      While no outdoor adventure can be completely free of risk without losing the essence of the activity, hiring a professional guide is a fantastic way to manage and mitigate this risk. Activities like skiing and climbing have what we call “inherent risk”, which can be defined as a risk that cannot be completely mitigated by a professional. That is part of playing in the mountains, we encourage you to reach out to the office if you would like to discuss this in more detail.

    • Would you consider doing a private trek to the Karakoram?

      We always welcome custom expeditions and treks. 50% of Alpenglow’s expeditions are customized.

    • Are Covid vaccinations required?

      Our leadership has made the decision to require all participants to be vaccinated for international travel. This is a safety measure that we have made to not only protect our clients, but also to protect our guide team and the local people in which we interact with during our expeditions. We want to do our utmost to mitigate the risk of Covid disrupting our expeditions, and having our teams vaccinated has become an important part of our risk management system with international travel. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or issues regarding this decision, we’d be happy to hop on a call and discuss this further.

    • What all is included and excluded?

      The cost of your trip includes your land costs (excluding in-town meals). This includes:

      • Double occupancy lodging while in Islamabad and Skardu. This only includes nights scheduled in the itinerary (3 total nights in Islamabad; 3 total nights in Skardu; 2 nights total allocated if we need to drive between Islamabad to Skardu)
      • Meals on the mountain
      • Group camping and climbing equipment
      • Base camp and advanced base camp infrastructure
      • Scheduled transportation while in the countries we are visiting
      • Certified guides
      • Covid testing arrangements for re-entry into home country (does not include cost of test)

      The cost of your trip does not include:

      • Flights to/from Islamabad
      • Airport taxes
      • Visas
      • In-town meals
      • Immunizations
      • Tips for guides or local staff
      • Travel, rescue, or any other type of insurance
      • Hospitalization or evacuation costs
      • Single supplement charges
      • Excess baggage charges
      • Alcohol
      • Antigen/PCR Covid test cost
      • Other personal expenses.

Meet your guides

Esteban “Topo” Mena

Esteban “Topo” Mena

Topo’s formal name is Esteban Mena, but he goes by his nickname. Esteban Topo Mena is 28 years old and began his guiding career at 19, when he climbed Aconcagua’s South Face and became the youngest person to accomplish this difficult climb. Topo began guiding in Ecuador and Peru. In 2012, Topo summited Manaslu and in 2013, he summited Everest – both without using supplementary oxygen. Topo again summited Everest in 2016 while supporting his wonderful partner Carla as she successfully summited without supplemental oxygen. In 2018 Topo summited both Cho Oyu and Everest with clients in under 30 days. An incredible achievement that only the best guides in the word could attempt. He also has climbed challenging new routes in Kyrgyzstan and China and one of his climbs (Kyzyl Asker) has been nominated for the Piolet d’Or (as part of an Ecuadorian team).

Guide Certifications
  • ASEGUIM
  • IVBV IFMGA UIAGM - Mountain Guide
Adrian Ballinger

Adrian Ballinger

Adrian Ballinger is one of the USA’s premier high-altitude mountain guides, and the only American guide to have both AMGA/IFMGA guide’s certification (one of roughly 150 in the USA) and more than a fifteen summits of 8,000 meter peaks (17 total, including 8 summits of Mt. Everest, 1 without supplemental oxygen, as well as an ascent of K2 without supplemental oxygen). As founder of Alpenglow Expeditions, Adrian has been guiding full-time for over twenty years and has led over 130 international climbing expeditions on 6 continents.

In 2011 he, along with 2 Sherpa partners, became the first people to summit three 8,000 meter peaks in only 3 weeks (Everest twice and Lhotse once). He is also the first person to ski Manaslu (the 8th tallest mountain in the world) from its summit, and the first American to successfully ski two 8,000-meter peaks. These personal successes are combined with Adrian’s passion for guiding and teaching others. Adrian has successfully led more than 100 clients to the summits of Everest, Lhotse (the 4th tallest mountain in world), Cho Oyu (6th tallest) and Manaslu (8th tallest).

Whether on skis, in rock shoes, or mountain boots, Adrian thrives on sharing the big mountains with friends and clients, and helping them to build their skills and experience to be successful on the world’s most beautiful mountains. In the coming seasons, Adrian plans on continuing to enjoy big-mountain skiing, climbing, and guiding in the Himalaya, South America, Europe, and of course closer to home in Olympic Valley, CA. Adrian is a sponsored athlete for Eddie Bauer, La Sportiva, Fischer, Hiball Energy, and Favre Leuba.

Learn more about Adrian at adrianballinger.com

Guide Certifications
  • AMGA - American Mountain Guide
  • IVBV IFMGA UIAGM - Mountain Guide
Logan Talbott

Logan Talbott

co-owner / chief guide

Logan has been guiding professionally for over a decade in the disciplines of Rock, Alpine and Ski Mountaineering. When not out guiding, Logan spends time in the office helping the team with the day-to-day operations of the business. From one day ascents of El Capitan to big Alpine climbs in the Himalaya, from ski descents on Denali to backyard ski tours in Lake Tahoe, he can’t help but smile when out running around the hills. Logan is an AMGA/IFMGA mountain guide, an Avalanche course leader with AIARE, as well as a wilderness EMT. In addition to guiding, Logan has extensive experience in mountain rescue, having worked for rescue teams in both Yosemite and Denali National Parks, and volunteering locally for Tahoe Nordic SAR. When not out in the hills, he lives in Truckee, CA with his lovely wife Lynette and daughter Maggie.

Guide Certifications
  • AMGA - American Mountain Guide
  • IVBV IFMGA UIAGM - Mountain Guide
Carla Perez

Carla Perez

Carla has been on the pursuit of her climbing dreams for most of her life, she started climbing as a teenager and her love to the mountains took her to the french Alps, where she studied geology and got a masters degree on geochemistry. In 2007 she decided to become a full time climber, which also put her the path of becoming a mountain guide. Carla has trained with and is pursuing UIAGM/IFMGA certification with the ASEGUIM (the Ecuadorian mountain guides association).

Carla has made multiple successful summits of Everest, including an ascent without the use of supplemental oxygen in 2016. She was the sixth women in history to accomplish this feat and the first Latin American woman to do so. She was also the first woman from the Americas to summit K2 without supplemental oxygen in 2019, and was the first woman to summit Everest and K2 in the same year..

In 2008 she did a biking trip from Ecuador to Argentina and had the opportunity to understand and learn more about her home: the Andes.

Today she splits her time between speaking about her climbing experiences all around the world, chasing new missions with her parter “Topo” and guiding big mountains.

Guide Certifications
  • ASEGUIM

What others are saying about this trip

  • The Raw Beauty of the Karakoram

    "I’ve traveled all over the world for mountain pursuits, there’s no place like the Karakoram. It has the highest concentration of high peaks in the world and they are all rugged, raw and beautiful (at times). Pakistan provides a level of rawness that is difficult to find elsewhere, with that comes realness in culture, beauty and adventure. As far as value goes, the Karakoram might be the highest value per dollar spent compared to any other mountain destination I’ve been to."

    Ming Poon

    Expedition Inquiry Form

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      K2 & G2 Rapid Ascent™ Base Camp Trek

    K2 & G2 Rapid Ascent™ Base Camp Trek

    Trek through the storied Karakoram Mountain Range in northern Pakistan to the Base Camps of two of the worlds tallest mountains: K2 and Gasherbrum II. Trekking in Rapid Ascent™ style, we'll explore this incredible mountain range while accompanying our team that will continue on to the summit G2. We use premier logistics that are the same as those used on the region's high altitude climbing peaks.

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