Conquer the 4,400-Foot Vertical Granite Walls of the Karakoram
Conquer the 4,400-Foot Vertical Granite Walls of the Karakoram
Conquer the 4,400-Foot Vertical Granite Walls of the Karakoram
A premier 45-day technical big wall expedition to Shipton Spire, featuring elite rock climbing up to 7b+.
Difficulty
Technical
Max Altitude
5,910 meters
Wind Speed
30-50 km/h
Temperature
-15°C to 5°C
Elevation
5,910 meters / 19,390 feet
Location
Upper Trango Glacier, Baltoro Region, Karakoram
First Ascent
1997 by Björnstadt and Albert
Duration
45 days
Best Season
June to September
Technical Grade
Big Wall (7b+ / 5.12)
Shipton Spire rises to 5,910 meters as one of the most dramatic granite towers in the Karakoram Range, standing near the legendary Trango Towers on the Upper Trango Glacier. Named after Eric Shipton, this elusive spire presents a massive 29-pitch big wall with 4,400 feet of vertical granite—nearly twice the technical rock of the Nameless Tower. The expedition offers elite climbers some of the finest high-altitude rock climbing on Earth, with superb granite quality and technical pitches ranging from 6c to 7b+. The region, including the unclimbed Hainablak East Tower and 'Cat's Ears' formation, represents a concentrated challenge for big wall specialists seeking new routes and technical mastery at altitude.
What makes this expedition special
Climb the 4,400-foot vertical granite walls of Shipton Spire
Technical 29-pitch route with difficulties up to 7b+
World-class big wall climbing at 5,910m altitude
Located in the heart of the dramatic Trango Group architecture
Spectacular views of K2, Broad Peak, and the Gasherbrums
Exploration of the unclimbed Hainablak and Cat's Ears formations
Full Base Camp support on a beautiful grass meadow at 4,700m
Arrival and transfer to hotel. Official expedition briefing covering logistics and requirements.
Spectacular flight to Skardu (weather permitting) or drive via Karakoram Highway to Chilas.
Free day in Skardu or complete the drive from Chilas with views of Nanga Parbat.
Ministry of Tourism briefing, documentation, and final gear organization with staff.
Jeep drive to the last village of Askole, the gateway to the Karakoram wilderness.
Begin trekking below the Biafo Glacier, crossing the Dumardo River to reach Jhola camp.
Trek along the river beach with first views of Cathedral Towers and K2.
Acclimatization day and final equipment checks before entering the Baltoro Glacier.
Glacier travel on moraine-covered ice with views of Trango Group and Uli Biaho.
Trek past the Trango Towers to the last grassy campsite at Urdukas.
Trek onto the broad Baltoro Glacier with expansive views of Masherbrum and Gasherbrum IV.
Establish Base Camp on a beautiful meadow at the confluence of Hainablak Glaciers.
Technical training on wall systems and a traditional blessing ceremony for safe passage.
25 days for technical big wall climbing. Includes fixing ropes, hauling gear, and portaledge bivouacs on the 29-pitch route.
Clean Base Camp and trek back toward the Paiju green oasis.
Retracing the approach route along the Braldu River.
Final trek back to Askole village and celebration with the porter team.
Jeep drive back to Skardu through Shigar Valley.
Flight to Islamabad or drive to Chilas as a weather contingency.
Sightseeing in Islamabad or completion of road travel from Chilas. Farewell dinner.
Transfer to airport for international departure.
Note: The technical big wall nature of Shipton Spire demands maximum flexibility. Weather and rock conditions can significantly vary the climbing duration. The 25-day window is allocated to account for the extreme technical difficulty and potential Karakoram storms.
12 items included
9 items not included
We offer tiered services for different climbing styles: Silver (Standard BC support), Gold (Enhanced facilities), and Platinum (Premium setup). Additional High Altitude Porters (HAPs) can be arranged to assist with load carrying up to 20kg above Base Camp.
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