Golden Peak in Nagar Valley  

Spantik or Golden Peak is a mountain in Spantik-Sosbun Mountains subrange of Karakoram. Its northwest face features an exceptionally hard climbing route known as the "Golden Pillar".It lies east of Diran and northeast of Malubiting. The name Golden Peak is called so, because of its Golden colour

Climbing
Spantik was first climbed in 1955 by Karl Kramer's German expedition. The most commonly climbed line follows the south east ridge, which was attempted by the Bullock Workman party in 1906. The ridge rises 2700 metres over a lateral distance of 7.6 km, at angles which are mostly less than 30 degrees, with a few sections up to 40 degrees. It contains varied terrain, from rocky outcrops to snow and ice and scree.

Rush lake Rush Lake is a high altitude lake located near Rush Pari Peak (5,098 m). At over 4,694 meters, Rush is one of the highest alpine lakes in the world. It is located about 15 km north of Miar Peak and Spantik (Golden Peak), which are in the Nagar valley. Rush Lake and Rush Peak can be reached via Nagar and Hopar and via the Hopar Glacier (Bualtar Glacier) and Miar Glacier, which rises from Miar and Phuparash peaks. The trek to Rush Lake provides spectacular views of Spantik, Malubiting, Miar Peak, Phuparash Peak and Ultar Sar. Rush Lake which sat in a bowl is a high altitude lake located at over 4700 meter is one of the highest alpine lake in Pakistan. The blue coloured crystal clear water with lush green slopes of wild flowers surrounded by white peaks as high as 7000 meter is one of the most beautiful track in the world. The atmosphere is very soothing and relaxing after a long walk to the lake. The most interesting view is of yak taking bath in the frozen lake. Bigger than wild buffaloes and with long hairs are usually found in places over 4500 meters above the sea level. You can watch the grazing along the lake. Stay here your first night and next morning get ready to climb Rush peak. Try to go light because you have to come back to rush lake. In 2 to 3 hours you will reach Rush Peak. Once you reach the summit you will encounter with breathtaking views of magnificent giant mountains. This is the place where two big glaciers Hispar glacier (67km) and Biafo glacier (54km) meets. In addition there are great views of K2, Broad peak, G series, Mashabrum and Chogholiza

 
Trek to Rush Lake

The trek start with a sharp downward walk from hoper village toward hoper glacier. Descending is not very difficult except during rain because trek becomes very muddy and slippery to walk. So take extra caution if it is raining to avoid falling off the trek. After about 40 minutes of downward walk you Will be at the top of hoper glacier. Hoper glacier is coming out of Kapel Doungs peak. A cold and chilly wind will greet you as you reach the glacier. The abrupt change of warm to cold weather is very surprising and requires a piece of warm cloth. The view of Kapel Doungs is fabulous from Hoper glacier. From Hoper glacier Kapel Doungs looks like a big rock of frozen ice. It would be appropriate to call it "snow wall". In about 40 minutes of time you will reach Shishkin after crossing over hoper glacier. After a short break resume your walk toward Barpu glacier.

Barpu glacier is the only huge (22 km) white glacier of Pakistan which is also very close to human habitat with crevasses in it. One should be extra careful while crossing this white glacier as compared to Hoper Glacier. It is recommended that you wear crampons when you walk on icy surface, because with joggers or trekking shoes you are more Hkely to slip. You have to walk continuously for about 2 hours on this hard and slippery surface of ice. Once you are on Barpu Glacier you can again see the Golden peak. You can also view rush peak from here which is your final destination. If you are. lucky enough and weather is clear you can see the superb view of sptnik. You will reach Barpu Gram a calm and quite village after crossing Barpu Glacier. Take a break here for an hour or two to refresh yourself after crossing two glacier. Beyond this point your journey is pretty straight forward and relatively easy. It takes about 5 hours to reach BetichoKor from hoper valley

BetichoKor

In betichokor you will spend night in a tent. This is a small piece of forestland and try to find a campground near a water spring. Nights are cold here so wear your sweater. Get around a aromatic wood fire, relax have a good supper and hit the bed for a good night sleep.

 

Gotens

Gotens is 3 and a half kilometre from BetichoKor and you need to '-climb straight for one kilometre. You can imagine the difficulty it poses. This is a test of your determination and will. Try to go slow, rushing will make you weak and more vulnerable to fall off the trek. Nausea and headache are common occurrences at such a height so take a pill before you start off. From Betichokor to Gotens you need help of your guide and porters and try to stay together. Do not allow any member of your group to move faster or let someone stay behind. Moving in a group will be helpful in case some one get sick and need assistance. In short try to be more watchful in this part of your trek.

Once you are in Gotens you will feel like in a different world. A magnificent mountain scenery is welcoming you. The view is spectacular with 7 peaks above 7000 meter are lined up to welcome you. Rakaposhi Deran, Kapel Doungs, Miar, Malubathing, Smair Bar, Spantik (golden peak) Gilgindar, Chokoton Oaila peak). Rakaposhi at 7788 dominate the whole panorama. This is breathtaking scenery of lofty mountain covered with white with contrasting blue sky. Tumoro tea is wildly grown here. Request'for a cup and it will surely help you breath easy and restore your strength. You are at such a height that you feel lack of oxygen in the air, so limit your activities to a minimum.

 

Chidin Harrai

Trek from Gotens to Chidin Harrai is full of small wild flowers. Ascend is not very• steep. Although you are climbing up it is not very quick ascend and there is trek for you to follow. You can easily move from Gotens to Chidin Harrai in 2 to 3 hours. If you have ample supply of water or a spring is nearby you can spend night here, otherwise move on, because without water it is almost impossible to stay here. It is my advice that somehow regain your strength and try to walk another 3 hours to rush lake. This way you will have two nights and an extra day to explore the surroundings and even go to Rush Peak. On the other side Rakapohdhi and adjacent peaks can be seen. Where Hisper glacier starts on your left you have a great view of Kanjoot Sar, Sar series, and Kenyong Chish, along with Ulter 1, Ulter 2, Hunza peak, and Lady finger on the right side. Watching such a lofty peaks covered with snow from one place and with such a close proximity is really amazing. Rush Peak is almost at 5200 meter and lack of oxygen is a common occurrence, so stay there for some time and get ready for your return journey. It is very hard to take one's eyes form such a beautiful scene but you have to go back to Rush Lake before sunset. But if you have some energy left in you and are in a high spirit, spend another night otherwise you can reach Chetan Harrai before sunset. Make sure you collect some water from Rush Lake because springs in Chetan Harrai are normally dry. From Chetan Harrai it is easy walk but from Gotens to Beti Chokor is very dangerous

descend. You need to be very cautious and put your feet firmly because a minor slackness could be devastated. Spend . your night at BetichoKor and celebrate with your party. Usually the porters ask you for a whole goat. Enjoy your food and bonfire and have a good time. Next morning you will reach Hoper village after crossing over Barpu and Hoper glaciers. If you wish you can stay in Hoper village or you can proceed to Karimabad. Congratulations you have conquered the Rush Lake trek the highest lake of Pakistan. In the end it is my request to everybody who is planning to visit our parks and landmarks. In the end it is my request to everybody who is planning to visit our parks and landmarks, please be a responsible tourist by minimizing your impact and maximizing your connection with people and the environment. Keep the erosion to a minimum: Don't crush flowers and shrubs with your boots: Take rubbish home with you if it can't be properly disposed of: Take a strong bottle water and boil your drinking water rather than buying plastic water bottles: Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem and have the time of your life doing it.

Rash Phari (Lake) Trek in the Karakoram (Rash Phari means sparkling Lake) is one of the most recommended treks for those who want to have trekking experience with a life long excitement. This is a beautiful trek to Rush Lake at 4700 metres with the ascent of Rush Peak (5200m). The trek starts in Hoper (2790m) and climbs up to Rush Peak at 5200m where it is possible to see K2, Hispar glacier, Biafo glacier and Snow lake. The scenery is spectacular with all the giant peaks and longest range of snow in the world after the poles. Across the Hispar valley there is a wall of peaks from 7025 to 7885m high. In addition there is a great view of Ultar 1 and Ultar 2 peaks. Rush Lake Trek in Nagar Valley will provide great pleasure and adventure for trekkers. Rush Lake and Rush Peak can be reached via Hopar Glacier and Barpu Glacier, (which rises from the Kapel Doungs, Miar, and Sumair Bar) peaks. The trek to Rush Lake provides spectacular views of Rakaposhi, Deran, Kapel Doungs, Miar, Sumair Bar, Malubathing, Spantik, Gilgindar, Laila, (chocotan) in a row. Traveling on the KKH Aliabad is situated at the end of Nagar valley, where Hunza valley starts. You need to hire a jeep from Aliabad to travel to Hoper village just before Karimabad. This is a jeep track and takes about one hour to reach Hoper valley. On your way you will enjoy the famous view of Spantik peak. Moreover the track goes through apple and apricot plantations which are surely delightful scene. In hoper you have to stay overnight to acclimatize yourself for the next days. Hoper inn and Parbat inn are two modest motels available ¬for your stay. It is advisable to arrange your guide and porters from here.
There are ten camp-sites form Hoper to rush lake and back to Hoper. Each porter cost Rs 400.00 for every camp. But on your way back you don't have to pay for one camp. This way you have to pay Rs 3600 in total. One extra man to clean the dishes, carry water and to do other chores is a plus in addition to your regular porter. Most part of this trek is above 4500 meter. Walking at such a height makes your very fatigued and tired. You need to start early because sometime you have to skip one or two camps due to unavailability of water. It required a continue walk of 8 to 10 hours to reach your destination so starting early is a sensible idea .