The Karakoram Pass is a hill pass in the middle of India and China, lying in the Karakoram Mountain Range . It is the tallest pass on the very old caravan path in the midst of Leh in Ladakh and Yarkand in the Tarim Valley. In Turkey, the expression Karakoram refers to “Black Gravel”. The Karakoram Pass rises to an elevation of 5,540 m (18,176 ft).
About Karakoram Pass
The towering altitude and deficiency of foodgrains were the principal causes for the losses of numerous pack animals. The course through the pass was disreputable for the trace of bones sprinkled adjacent to the itinerary. There is virtually no presence of flora on the entry routes to the pass. The southern segment of the pass is more barren than the north. Traversing the lower Suget Dawan or Suget Pass is easier.
The Karakoram Pass is in a seat in the middle of two mountains. The width of the pass is approximately 45 meters (148 ft). There is no plant life or icecap and it is typically bereft of snow as a result of the breezes. There are moderate temperatures, recurrently powerful breezes, snowstorms are a common feature, and the towering altitude has an outcome. Irrespective of all these factors, the Karakoram Pass was assumed to be a fairly trouble-free pass as a consequence of the stable upward slope on both sides. There was deficiency of summer frost and snow for the maximum portion of the year. Therefore, the pass remained open for the maximum part of the year. However, there is no passable path over the pass, and the pass at the moment is kept shut to all types of traffic movements.
Cold breezes move at a terrific speed in this area.
The Karakoram Pass moves through the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir . It is situated on one of the tallest business and commerce itineraries in the world for Yarkand, located in Central Asia. The itinerary takes you from the Nubra Basin in Ladakh above the Siser La, Tulimpati La, and above the camp locations such as Burtso, Murgo, Daulatbeg Oldi, Kazilangar, and ultimately guides you to the pass.
The area around the pass is infertile with no foliage at all. Temperatures can decline to minus 30°C and snowstorms are a regular feature round the year. If you come close to the Daultat Beg Oldi Camp Location, you will find an extensive stretch of 16 km beside the desiccated embankment of the river. You will never fail to notice the itinerary if you go by the trace of the bare bones of various creatures and human beings. These are soundless prompts of the inhospitable circumstances that resulted in casualties in ancient periods when this itinerary was utilized by merchants of Central Asia.
The final extension of the pass culminates towards the right of the embankment of the river to the pass. In spite of the fact that the slope is moderate and not especially hard, it is the low density (low oxygen content) air that makes going past this pass especially difficult. At the place where the pass culminates, there is an ascent of approximately 1,000 feet and in the remoteness, a groove is seen, which is nothing else but the Karakoram Pass.
These circumstances occurred after the Simla Agreement, which was ratified in 1972 between Pakistan and India, when the pact was unsuccessful to delineate the final 60 miles (100 km) or so of the armistice line from the finish of the Line of Control to the boundary with China.
A probable India-China-Pakistan tripoint at Karakoram Pass is mentioned in a border pact between Pakistan and China in 1963. This was in relation to the Trans-Karakoram territory, however India was not aware of that accord nor any tripoint contract. The presently existing tripoint is approximately 100 km west to the pass at Indira Col in the Siachen Muztagh. This is the spot where the Actual Ground Position Line between Pakistani and Indian Army touches the boundary with China.
Fast facts about Karakoram Pass
Given below are some important and fast facts associated with the Karakoram Pass:
- Altitude (meters): 5,540
- Altitude (feet): 18,176
- Country: India/Pakistan
- Continent: Asia
- SubRange: Karakoram
- Region/Range: Central Asia Ranges
- Longitude: 77.823056
- Latitude: 35.513333
- Most suitable months for hiking: May, June, July, August, and September
- Level of difficulty: Ice Climb/Basic Snow
- Closest important airport: Kathmandu
- Suitable hub: Kathmandu
Famous Climbers who moved across the pass
Given below are the names of the famous climbers who traversed the Karakoram Pass:
- Robert Shaw (1868)
- Francis E. Younghusband (1889)
- Kermit Roosevelt and Theodore Junior (1926)
In technical terms, this pass is not a summit, however it is important since it is the tallest pass in the Karakoram Mountain Range . From the pinnacle of the pass, you will be able to see all the lofty peaks: K1, K2, K3, K4, and K5.
Last Updated on 02 February 2011
