ISLAMABAD: A 13-member China-Pakistan Friendship Expedition left here for Skardu on Wednesday to climb the 7027-metre high Spantik peak, also known as Golden Peak.
The expedition will depart from Skardu for Arandu by jeep from where it will start its trek on Chogmo Langma glacier to the Spantik Peak base camp. It expects to take about three weeks to climb the mountain and will establish three camps above the base camp.
The two sides of the Friendship Expedition comprising both experienced and young climbers is expected to return by the end of next month. Their leaders have climbed various mountains, including 8,000-metre high peaks. Teams are as under: Chinese side: Luo Shen, Li Fuqing, Yuan Fudong, Suolang, Langijiaduoji and Wu Chongde.
Pakistan side: Lt. Col. (retd) Dr. Abdul Jabbar Bhatti, Saad Muhammad, Dr. Naveed Iqbal, Zahid Hussain Rajput and two high altitude porters from Arandu and Sadpara.
Both Pakistan and China share not only common borders but also one of the most spectacular and magnificent mountain ranges - the Karakoram, including four of the world's high peaks rising above 8000 meteres namely K-2 (8611m), Gasherbrum-I (8068m) Broad Peak (8047m) and Gasherbrum-II (8-35m).
Secretary Alpine Club of Pakistan Abu Zafar Sadiq told APP that the expedition would bolster friendly ties between the two countries in the field of mountaineering and climbing. "The expedition will also help evolve youth mountaineering exchange programmes between Pakistan and China," he added.
The Friendship Expedition is being sponsored by the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. Since 1995 Pakistan and China had launched eight joint expeditions to high mountains, including Mt. Everest, and had successfully climbed K-2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum-I and II.
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