Amin Brakk Expedition
Nangma Valley / Masherbrum Range — 5,850m
Amin Brakk (5,850m), often called the “Great Tower” of the Karakoram, is a legendary vertical granite monolith standing dramatically at the head of the Nangma Valley near Kanday in Baltistan. Rising sheer for nearly 1,200 meters of uncompromising, smooth granite, Amin Brakk is widely recognized alongside Trango Towers and El Capitan as one of the most technical and formidable big-wall objectives on the planet.
Named in honor of local guide Amin Brakk, this peak attracts elite international big-wall climbers and alpine teams seeking continuous, sustained vertical and overhanging rock climbing at high altitude. We provide full expedition logistics and Base Camp infrastructure — including official permit processing, Islamabad-to-Kanday road transfers, local Balti high-altitude staff, kitchen crew, and complete Base Camp setup — giving big-wall teams a seamless foundation for their ascent.
The Nangma Valley Towers
Amin Brakk (5,850m) | Kapura Peak (6,544m) | Drifka Peak (6,447m) | Great Tower / Spangser
Route & Climbing History: First attempted in 1996 by Jon Lazkano, the main wall was summitted in 1999 by a Spanish team (Pep Masip, Miguel Puigdomenech, and Silvia Vidal) who established the famous route Sol Solet (A5/6C+) over 32 days on the wall. Other iconic lines include Czech Express (A3+/7a+), established in 2000 by Filip Šilhan, Marek Holeček, and David Šťastný. Climbing on Amin Brakk involves continuous aid climbing, free climbing on pristine granite, portaledge camping, and extreme wall exposure.
Climbing grade: Extreme Big-Wall / High-Altitude Rock Climb (ED+ / VI A3-A5 / 6c-7b free pitches) — short valley approach, wall haulage logistics, portaledge living, and continuous high-grade aid and free climbing on vertical to overhanging granite. Designed exclusively for expert big-wall teams.
Arrival in Islamabad
⛰ 540m
Arrive at Islamabad International Airport, meet our representative, and transfer to your hotel. Rest and recover from long travel
🏠 Hotel in Islamabad
Islamabad to Chilas (or Fly to Skardu)
⛰ 1,265m | ⏱ 45 min flight (or 11–12 hrs drive)
Morning flight to Skardu (weather permitting). If canceled, travel overland via the Karakoram Highway (or Babusar Pass when open) to Chilas.
🏠 Hotel in Chilas or Skardu
Chilas to Skardu
⛰ 2,230m | ⏱ 8–9 hours drive
Complete the overland journey along the Indus River past the junction of the three great mountain ranges into Skardu.
🏠 Hotel in Skardu
Preparation, Briefing & Gear Inspection in Skardu
⛰ 2,230m
Gear checks, load sorting, porter allocation, big-wall hardware sorting, and official briefings with local tourism authorities before departing for the Ghanche District.
🏠 Hotel in Skardu
Skardu to Kanday Village
⛰ 2,900m | ⏱ 5–6 hours drive
Jeep drive along the Shyok River past Khaplu to Kanday Village, the trailhead settlement for the Nangma Valley.
🏕 Camp / Guest House in Kanday
Kanday to Mingulo Broq
⛰ 3,450m | ⏱ 4–5 hours
Begin the approach trek following shepherd trails up through green pastures to Mingulo Broq.
🏕 Camp at Mingulo Broq
Mingulo Broq to Amin Brakk Base Camp
⛰ 4,200m | ⏱ 3–4 hours
Trek up through lateral moraines into the granite amphitheater beneath the massive West Face of Amin Brakk to establish Base Camp.
🏕 Amin Brakk Base Camp
08–24 | Big-Wall Climbing Period
⛰ 4,200m – 5,850m | ⏱ 17 days
Strategy involves establishing ABC at the base of the wall (~4,600m), fixing lower pitches, hauling gear onto the face, living in portaledges across multi-day wall pushes, tackling sustained aid and free pitches, reaching the 5,850m summit, and executing technical rappels back to Base Camp.
⛺ Base Camp / Portaledges on Wall
Base Camp Pack-Up & Trek Back to Kanday
⛰ 2,900m | ⏱ 5–6 hours
Clean up all wall and Base Camp sites adhering to strict leave-no-trace protocols and trek back down the Nangma Valley to Kanday Village.
🏕 Camp / Local Lodge in Kanday
Kanday to Skardu
⛰ 2,230m | ⏱ 5–6 hours drive
Jeep drive back through Khaplu to Skardu. Rest, hot showers, and a celebratory dinner with the local crew.
🏠 Hotel in Skardu
Skardu to Islamabad (Contingency Drive to Chilas)
⛰ 540m / 1,265m
Fly to Islamabad (weather permitting). If flights are grounded, begin the overland drive along the KKH, stopping overnight in Chilas.
🏠 Hotel in Chilas or Islamabad
Chilas to Islamabad / Reserve Day
⛰ 540m
If traveling overland from Chilas, complete the final drive to Islamabad. Otherwise, enjoy a buffer day in the capital for sightseeing or shopping.
🏠 Hotel in Islamabad
Final Meet Up & International Departure
⏱ Breakfast included
Say good bye and transfer to Islamabad International Airport for onward flights.
✈ Departure — transfer to airport
CLIMBING GEAR & EQUIPMENT LIST
Essential equipment for a safe and enjoyable climbing day
🧗 1. CLIMBING HARDWARE
☐ Climbing Rope
☐ Belay / Rappel Device
☐ Locking Carabiners
☐ Non-Locking Carabiners
☐ Runners — Singles & Doubles
☐ Quickdraws
☐ Chalk & Chalk Bag
☐ Route Description / Guidebook
☐ Rope Bag
☐ Daypack
🪖 2. PERSONAL CLIMBING GEAR
☐ Climbing Helmet
☐ Climbing Harness
☐ Rock Climbing Shoes
☐ Belay / Rappel Gloves
☐ Climbing Tape
☐ Sunglasses + Retention Strap
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Lip Balm / Sun Protection
☐ Personal First-Aid Kit
- CLOTHING & DAY GEAR
Lighting & Electronics
☐ Headlamp or Flashlight
☐ Extra Batteries
☐ Multifunction Watch
☐ Two-Way Radios
☐ Mobile Phone in Protective Bag
Hydration & Food
☐ Water Bottles / Hydration System
☐ Water Treatment Method
☐ Lunch
☐ Energy Bars / Gels / Chews / Trail Mix
☐ Energy Drinks / Powdered Drink Mixes
Clothing
☐ Wicking T-Shirt
☐ Shorts / Pants / Tights
☐ Sun Protection — Hat & Skin-Covering Clothing
☐ Insulation — Vest / Jacket / Pants / Hat / Gloves
☐ Rainwear / Waterproof Jacket & Pants
Emergency & Carrying
☐ Duffel Bag for Climbing Gear
☐ Emergency Reflective Blanket
☐ Knife / Multi-Tool
- PERSONAL & CAMP ITEMS
☐ Insect Repellent
☐ Toilet Paper
☐ Sanitation Trowel
☐ Hand Sanitizer
☐ Camera
☐ Binoculars
☐ Signaling Mirror
☐ Approach Shoes
☐ Climbing / Trekking Socks — Synthetic or Wool
☐ Bandana / Buff
☐ Required Permits & Documents
☐ Small Bag for Collecting Trash
☐ Notepad
☐ Pen / Pencil
Affiliated with & Licence
