Snow Lake & Hispar La (Biafo–Hispar)
Two great glaciers, one high pass, and the snowfield Conway called Snow Lake.
The Biafo–Hispar traverse is the Karakoram's great glacier journey: 12–14 days and about 120–130 km on foot from Askole, up the 63–67 km Biafo Glacier to Snow Lake, the vast snow basin at about 4,800 m, over the Hispar La (about 5,130–5,150 m) and down the 49 km Hispar Glacier to Hispar village in Nagar. More than 20 km of it is roped glacier travel through crevasse fields, so it is for fit, experienced trekkers with a strong local team. Allow 20–25 days from Islamabad; the season runs from mid-June to September.
Martin Conway made the first crossing by a European in 1892 and named Snow Lake, which is no lake at all but a basin of snow and ice where several glaciers meet. The Biafo and Hispar together are often described as the longest glacier system outside the polar regions. Above the Biafo rise the granite towers of the Ogre (Baintha Brakk, 7,285 m) and the Latok peaks, best seen from the meadow camp at Baintha, where most groups take a rest day.
The route starts with the six-to-seven-hour jeep ride from Skardu to Askole, then climbs the Biafo through Namla, Mango, Baintha and Karpogoro to the Hispar La base camp at about 4,750 m. The pass is crossed roped, before dawn, on a steady 20–30° snow slope; the descent runs down the Hispar Glacier past Khani Basa and Bitanmal to Hispar village. The road out of Hispar is often blocked, so the last day can mean a 16 km walk down to Huru, then two to four hours by jeep to Karimabad.
Pakistan's official trek list classes the Hispar Pass route as an open zone, so no trekking permit is needed. But both glaciers lie inside Central Karakoram National Park, where you register and pay park fees, and police at the trailhead have turned back trekkers without a guide. In practice you need a licensed guide, a registered operator, and porters who know the crevasse fields. Early in the season expect deep, soft snow; late in the season some camps run short of water.
Questions, answered
How hard is the Snow Lake trek?
Very hard. It's 12–14 days and about 120–130 km, more than two-thirds of it on glacier, with roped travel through crevasse fields and a pre-dawn crossing of a pass above 5,100 m. You should have trekked at altitude before and be comfortable walking roped in crampons.
Do I need a permit for the Biafo–Hispar trek?
Pakistan's official trek list classes the Hispar Pass route as an open zone, so no trekking permit is required. It is inside Central Karakoram National Park, though, so you register and pay park fees, and in practice you need a licensed guide and a registered operator.
When is the best time for Snow Lake?
Mid-June to September, with most groups going in July and August. Early-season snow is deep and soft on the pass; by September water becomes scarce at some camps.
Run it with the home team.
Private departures with our Hushe and Askole crews — permits, mules and every logistics line handled.