STEVE RAZZETTI MOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHY AND JOURNALISM

KARAKORAM: SNOW LAKE & BIAFO - HISPAR

"In the opinion of Dr Johnson "the adventurer upon unknown coasts and the describer of distant lands is always welcomed as a man who has laboured for others". To one who generally has travelled to please only himself, this is a reassuring thought..."

H. W. Tilman, 1948

The road into the Shigar valley from Skardu has recently been surfaced. This is what it used to be like.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
   
The people of Askole have made it easy to get into the upper Braldu by building a foot-bridge over the torrent issuing from the snout of the Biafo glacier. Previously one had to scramble across the three mile wide snout of this incredible glacier.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
   
This was the nicname given to this man by Galen Rowell. Don't ask me why. He used to be in charge of collecting the toll from the old jhola (flying fox) bridge over the Panmah river. This has now been replaced with a more modern but infinitely less entertaining foot bridge.Bronica ETRS, 75mm, Fuji Velvia
     
  
Having turned north onto the boulder-strewn lower reaches of the Biafo, these porters are making for the first camp on the glacier at Namla. In the background, the Braldu valley leads off left towards Concordia and K2.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
   
A once in a lifetime shot!I have crossed the Hispar Pass seven times now, spending a cold night camped on the crest each time. On this occasion we were treated to a full moon rising into a crystal sky.Canon A1, 28mm Fuji Velvia 50
   
On a spectacularly clear July night, the full moon rises over The Ogre and Snow Lake. This unforgettable vista is seen from the crest of the 5151m Hispar La in the Central Karakoram. Bronica ETRSi, 150mm, Fuji RDP II
     
  
This is actually a stitched composite of two images, showing the entire watershed north of the Sim Gang basin. The Lukpe La (±5700m, right of centre), first crossed by Tilman in 1937, was the pass across which Mike Searle, Nick Graves and I arrived on Snow Lake from Shimshal.Canon A1, 28mm, Kodachrome 64
   
This idyllic spot in the ablation valley on the northern edge of the Biafo is the last of the greenery on this glacier. Consequently expeditions usually rest up for a day here befor stepping back onto the ice for the long haul over the Hispar Pass.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
   
A view south-east down the Biafo from the last camp before the Hispar La.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
     
  
A view down-valley from above Sim Gang BCBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji RDP
   
A night-shot of this striking 6413m peak, seen here across the Biafo glacier from Sim Gang BC. To the right of the peak is the Sokha La, across which Steve Venables and I exited the area in 1987Bronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji RDP
   
Trivor is the westernmost of the really high mountains that form the watershed between the Hispar glacier and Shimshal to the north. This shot was taken from Rush Phari, atop a ridge above Nagar.Canon A1, 135mm, Kodachrome 64
     
  
A shot looking down-valley from Baintha on the Biafo glacier. The distictive rock pyramid on the horizon is Bharkor Das (5809m), which overlooks the village of Askole. Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
   
A boulder on the Biafo glacier above Baintha.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
   
The sun setting behind a classic Karakoram skyline.Canon EOS 500, 28mm, Fuji Velvia
     
  
Above Baintha, dry camping spots are a rarity on the Biafo. Rather than sleep on the ice, most expeditions make the tortuous detour off to the north at this point and camp amongst the boulders here.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
   
Even in such an austere landscape as this, a profusion of wild flowers manage to bloom during the summer months.Nikon FM2, 105mm macro, Fuji Velvia
   
A porter from Askole on the Biafo, wearing an improvised shoulder harness for glacier travel.Nikon FM2, 50mm, Vuji Velvia
     
  
The summit of this small peak above the meadows of the same name is at approximately 5000m and affords this spectacular view up the Biafo towards Snow Lake and the Hispar La.Canon EOS 500, 28mm, Fuji Velvia
   
The high point of the journey between Askole and Hunza, this has to be one of the most spectacular campsites on the planet.Canon EOS 500, 28mm, Fuji Velvia
   
A view west towards Hunza at sunset, from the Hispar Pass (5151m).Canon EOS 500, 28mm, Fuji Velvia
     
  
The north face of Baintha Brakk aka The Ogre (7280m), at sunset from the Hispar La (5151m).Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
   
The south face of this fearsome peak, seen here looking up the Uzun Brakk glacier from Baintha Peak.Canon EOS 500, 28mm, Fuji Velvia
   
A porter from Askole sets the sartorial style for glacier travel in the Karakoram. Biafo glacier near Napina.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
     
  
After crossing the Hispar Pass from Askole, this is the first grassy camp for expeditions descending the Hispar glacier. In the distance, the summit of The Ogre can be seen across the wide col of the Hispar Pass, whilst lining the southern side of the Hispar glacier is the Bal Chhish range.Nikon FM2, 24mm, Fuji Velvia
   
During a storm at Haghura Shanga Lichang, this tantalizing window appeared in the sky to the west over Hunza as the sun set.Canon EOS 500, 28mm, Fuji Velvia
   
Seen here in his previous incarnation - "Lord Snort of Hispar". He is now President of the Alpine Club!Canon A1, 28mm, Kodachrome 64
     
  
Believe it or not, this mighty ice-stream is in fact a tributary of the Hispar, flowing down from the south faces of Pumari Chhish (7492m) and Kunyang Chhish (7852m).Canon A1, 28mm, Kodachrome 64
   
This is the highest summit in the mountain chain that lines the southern flanks of the Hispar glacier to the west of the Hispar La.Canon A1, 135mm, Kodachrome 64
   
An exquisite detail of this mountain chain, from Khanibasa on the Hispar glacier.Canon A1, 135mm, Kodachrome 64
     
  
Steve Venables skipping across the crevasses on our descent from the Hispar Pass into Snow Lake back in August 1987.Canon A1, 28mm, Kodachrome 64
   
This formidable group of rock-spires line the head of the Biafo glacier on the northern side. At the far left is Sosbun Brakk (6413m), beneath which is the deep cleft of the Sokha La, across which Steve Venables and I left the area in 1987
   
The north-east face, seen from Sim Gang base camp on the Biafo glacier.Canon A1, 135mm, Kodachrome 64
     
  
Kees t'Hooft descending from the Hispar Pass onto the glacier of the same name. This enormous glacier is 58km long and 5km wide. In the distance, disappearing into the haze, are the peaks of Hunza.Canon A1, 28mm, Kodachrome 64
   
A few kilometers to the west of the actual crest of the Hispar, this stunning panorama of peaks is revealed through a cleft to the north.
   
Returning to Sim Gang basecamp after a recce of the upper glacier and the route towards the Hispar PassBronica ETRSi, 50mm, Fuji RFP