Field guides / Gilgit-Baltistan / Gasherbrum IV
Field guide · Mountains
Gasherbrum IV
Gasherbrum IV stands at 7,925 m at the head of the Baltoro Glacier, technically one of the most demanding mountains in the world. Its West Face, the Shining Wall, is a near-vertical 3,000 m granite curtain that defeated many of the world's best alpinists before Voytek Kurtyka and Robert Schauer made their legendary partial ascent in 1985.
Gasherbrum IV stands at 7,925 m at the head of the Baltoro Glacier, technically one of the most demanding mountains in the world. Its West Face, the Shining Wall, is a near-vertical 3,000 m granite curtain that defeated many of the world's best alpinists before Voytek Kurtyka and Robert Schauer made their legendary partial ascent in 1985. The mountain was first fully summited in 1958 by the Italian expedition of Riccardo Cassin.
Why go
- ✦7,925 m, Karakoram
- ✦The Shining Wall, world-class technical face
- ✦First climbed 1958 by Italian expedition
- ✦Kurtyka & Schauer's legendary 1985 ascent
The Shining Wall
Gasherbrum IV's West Face is one of the iconic unsolved problems in high-altitude climbing. Its 3,000 m granite curtain has been called the most difficult wall attempted at altitude, inspiring expedition mountaineers for decades.
Trekking Views
The summit pyramid of Gasherbrum IV is visible from Concordia, the mountain forms part of the dramatic cirque of peaks, alongside K2, Broad Peak, and GI/GII, that makes Concordia the greatest mountain viewpoint on Earth.
Planning tip
When to go, June to August for technical attempts; trekkers can view from Concordia May to September.
Getting there, Via the standard Baltoro Glacier approach from Skardu and Askole, visible from Concordia.
Allow, 8-10 days to reach Concordia from Skardu; full expedition 8-12 weeks.
