Pakistani-Swedish Team Targets Mt. Spantik

A joint Pakistani-Swedish expedition has set out to tackle 7,027m Mt. Spantik, a peak in the Spantik-Sosbun subrange of the Karakorum.

Mt. Spantik, also known as Golden Peak, was first climbed in 1955 by a German expedition led by Karl Kramer. Recently, the mountain has become popular with commercial expeditions due to a relatively straightforward route via the southeast ridge.

Mt. Spantik in the Nagar Valley of Gilgit Baltistan. Photo: Maddis, Wikimedia Commons

This expedition will also follow the southeast ridge, after first mounting the Skardu side of the mountain via the Chogholungma Glacier. The team consists of five Pakistani climbers and one Swede, led by Asif Mehmood Bhatti.

Expedition leader Asif Bhatti, left, accepting the ACP flag from club secretary Karrar Haidri. Photo: Pakistan Mountain News

The experienced Pakistani mountaineer, Lt. Col Abdul Jabbar Bhatti, is advising the young, ambitious team. In 2012, Abdul Bhatti successfully led the Pakistan-China Friendship Expedition to the summit of Mt. Spantik.