Paperwork
Please take the time to read the entire Logistics section in full. If you have questions, feel free to call the Alpine Ascents office or email us.
Please return the requested paperwork, (application and flight itinerary) as soon as possible. This information assists us in procuring permits and making final hotel reservations.
⎕ Application
⎕ Flight itinerary
⎕ Passport Copy
⎕ Two Passport Photos (scans are fine)
⎕ Vaccination Card
Trip Insurance & Evacuation Coverage
We highly recommend trip insurance as there are many unforeseen circumstances that can occur leading up to a trip. Evacuation and medical coverage may be required for this trip, please see paperwork section above. Please click here for more information:
https://www.alpineascents.com/trip-cancellation-insurance-trip/
Getting There
Please note the arrival date in Islamabad on your day-to-day itinerary listed on your confirmation letter. Flight reservations for your expedition should be made as soon as possible.
If you would like the assistance of a travel agency, we can recommend our friends at Exito Travel.Please e-mail or mail a copy of your flight itinerary to our offices. We will review your itinerary to ensure you will arrive on time.
Getting to Islamabad, Pakistan
For those arriving early or departing after the scheduled itinerary, we are happy to make hotel and airport transfer arrangements. Please contact our office in advance of your departure if you would like us to make additional reservations for you.
Arrival: We will pick you up at the airport. Please look for an Alpine Ascents sign upon leaving the terminal in Islamabad. It is very rare that we miss a pick up.
Visa and Entry Requirements
Trekkers need to complete an e- visa form 30 days before departure. Alpine Ascents will forward this form with instructions approximately 60 days before departure. (Cost $60)
Hotel In Islamabad
In Islamabad we will stay at the Roomy Hotel – a modern style hotel with traditional flair and food/shopping nearby
Other lodging will often be in simple lodges, some more upscale then others but chosen for access to mountain views.
Physical Conditioning
Trekkers are expected to be in excellent physical condition. Being physically prepared for the rigors of the mountains is one of the
key aspects to an enjoyable, risk aware, and rewarding experience for the entire team. Please read the training information on our website:
https://www.alpineascents.com/treks/k2-basecamp-trek/training/
Gear
Please review the annotated gear list below. We certainly understand that you may have personal preferences and have tested gear and gear systems in the field, but encourage you to contact us with any significant variations from the gear list.
https://www.alpineascents.com/treks/k2-basecamp-trek/gear-list/
Our gear lists are updated regularly, but some brands and models do change. You are required to bring every item on the list. We are happy to work closely with you on finding the proper gear. Please note that we flying in small planes with limited space so please adhere to the gear list as much as possible.
Alpine Ascents does not require trekkers to bring any food. That said if you want to bring up to a 1lb plastic bag of your favorite power bars and drink mix, you are welcome to do so.
In The Field
Physiology Of Mountaineering
Dehydration, hypothermia, frostbite, and altitude illness are all important health conditions to be aware of while climbing. Please read our overview of these physical factors:
Food & Water
We are all aware of the potential monotony of expedition food and Alpine Ascents makes every effort to make expedition food as enjoyable as possible. We work hard to have a diverse menu but this can be limited by availability and remoteness of region. While we will have a variety of food in the larger towns – the food in villages will be simple and somewhat repetitive but such is life in rural Pakistan. Alpine Ascents will bring some supplementary food, should meals be limited and to accommodate different diets.
Most water will be bottled water but making every effort to reduce waste.
Health Tips
We would recommend that you talk to your doctor about obtaining a prescription for Diamox, a drug that helps treat and minimize the effects of altitude sickness. Assuming that you are not allergic to Diamox (a sulpha drug), you would want to bring at least 40 pills, enough for 20 days of 125 mg of Diamox taken twice a day. Please use Diamox under the guides’ direction only. Your guides will discuss this in more detail at the orientation meeting in Kathmandu, but please contact us beforehand with any questions.
You may want to consult your physician for advice on treatments for gastrointestinal upsets that you may encounter on your trip. In the past, climbers have relied on antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin. Your doctor may recommend medications such as Lomotil or Imodium to stop diarrhea, and Compazine to prevent nausea.
Leave No Trace
Alpine Ascents International practices Leave No Trace principles on all expeditions. We believe that given the proper information most people will do all they can to help protect and maintain the environment. Before your climb, please become familiar with Leave No Trace:
7 Principles of Leave No Trace
As guides, we spend time teaching the environmentally appropriate Leave No Trace principles and practices. There is nothing more rewarding than working hard to get high into the mountains, reaching a pristine campsite, witnessing incredible views, and having the feeling that no one has been there before.
Conversely, there is nothing more disheartening than working hard to climb a mountain, reaching a site and encountering trash, food waste, and toilet paper. Please read the seven LNT principles, and call the office if you have any questions about what you can do to plan ahead.
Communications
We can go a few days without wi-fi and some of the wi-fi is very limited in the smaller towns but we may get lucky. We suggest an Inreach text device for those who need daily communications. Sim cards are not readily available.
Cybercasts
We plan on cybercasting your trek. We hope to have a report posted on the cybercast page of our website every 1-3 days. We encourage you to show family and friends who want to follow the climb. Let them know that the lack of a current cybercast does not indicate a problem with the team. Please let us know if you would not like to be listed in these posts.
Personal Expenses & Tipping
Tipping -Please plan on $325-$375 for the local guides, chefs, drivers and porters. Your Alpine Ascents guide will facilitate tips for the local staff.
Alpine Ascents guides greatly appreciate tips, a suggested amount is 7-12% of the trip cost.
Trekkers can take $500 in cash and change money in Islamabad but much easier to access cash via ATM’s. If using ATM you can limit cash to $300 and then use ATM’s getting local currency as needed. We will advise on how much to take out at orientation meeting in Islamabad.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Please note that Covid protocols, both best practices and entry requirements, are changing frequently. While we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to COVID-19, we do carry out a variety of measures designed to mitigate the risk of illness for climbers and staff. It is important we work together with the same team-oriented perspective we rely on in climbing, and we greatly appreciate your partnership. Please take a few moments to thoroughly read the information below and know that we look to improve our operation as additional information about the virus becomes available.
Vaccinations & Requirements
All climbers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and carry a copy of their vaccination card.
Masks
Trekkers may be asked to wear proper facemasks in all public places while not on the mountain. This includes while in towns, while being transported and while in hotel premises or during meals.
Transportation
Based on recommendations and factors at time of departure we may opt to use multiple vehicles for transport to and from airport and to and from the mountain to maintain better social distancing.
Lodging
Lodging will be in shared rooms and tents unless a single room is requested. Subject to change based on conditions.
Screening
If you experience fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea please immediately contact Alpine Ascents. Anyone experiencing these symptoms within 14 days of their trip date will be asked to reschedule their trip. All trekkers may be verbally screened for these symptoms on arrival in Pakistan.
Mitigation Measures
Hand washing and hand sanitizing facilities are provided throughout the program, We encourage you to regularly clean or sanitize your hands while on this journey, especially after touching your face, sneezing, coughing, using the bathroom, eating, or drinking. Common areas, high-touch surfaces, and restrooms are sanitized regularly.
We are committed to keeping our environment clean for your protection as well as ours.
Great experience, a well-matched team led by experienced guides. I am thrilled with my performance and considering doing more high altitude trips.
