Hike Paiyu - Urdukas

A few minutes after the beginning of the walk it is worth to turn back and enjoy the view of the valley. Paiyu (sometimes also written as Paiju) camp is hidden on the tactical green spot near the stream.

 

Just a short walk behind the camp already begin the views of the huge front moraine of Baltoro glacier towering above the valley bottom by more than one hundred meters. River flows from the very bottom of the glacial cave. Only daredevil would set off to explore it.

 

After hour and a half of walk from the camp Paiyu you finally ascend to the frontal moraine, which serves as a very nice outlook point as well. From here starts the endless path up and down through debris up to Concordia. As the glacier is constantly moving, the path is a little different every year.

Just a little bit behind the front moraine connects from the side valley smaller glacier Uli Biaho. Perhaps thanks to him Baltoro slowed down its melting. On the horizon you can see Trango Towers.

 

After a moment it is possible to see to the valley of Uli Biaho quite well. Paiyu peak (6610 m asl) dominates all the tops.

The biggest attractions in this part of the trek are beautiful views of the Trango Towers. Its vertical walls are a strong challenge for the best climbers in the world.

After four hours journey you arrive to the intersection of glaciers Baltoro and Trango. There are a lot of lakes and glacial streams in these places. The peaks in outlook are Biale (6729 m asl) and Cathedral (5866 m asl).

Lake lined with surrounding peaks are very photogenic. But it is wise to be careful and not to fall into any of them – it would be very difficult get back on the scree icy slopes.

After two hours of wandering from lakes you ascend quite high above the glacier and the view of the rocky towers is impressive.

Mountains are smoothed by the glacier to absolutely perpendicular wa­lls.

Another beautiful peak lining Baltoro glacier is Cathedral Peak.

There are just small side valleys on the right, also glaciated. View to this side is not very good, because you walk close to the rock wall.

After more than ten hours walk from Paiyu is Urdukas camp finally in sight. Relatively high above the glacier /so the last ascent at the very end of a busy day/ by the small glacier providing drinking water there plenty of places for tents on the rocky terraces.

Kemp Urdukas is basically just a couple of nice platforms for the tents located high in the hillside above the glacier. Porters are singing and dancing here in the evening and enjoying the end of a busy day.