The Virjerab Glacier, along with its group of peaks, is indeed a remarkable and challenging destination located in the Shimshal Valley of Pakistan’s Karakoram range. Known for its breathtaking scenery and rugged terrain, it has attracted explorers and mountaineers from around the world.
Here’s a brief summary of its exploration history:
- Initial Exploration: First explored by George Cockerill during his 1892-93 expedition.
- Further Exploration: Revisited by the Dutch couple Jenny Visser-Hooft and Philip Visser in 1925.
- Modern-Day Exploration: In July 2012, a team led by Krzysztof Wielicki, including Maciej Dachowski, Wojciech Dzik, Wojciech Kapturkiewicz, Marian Krakowski, Anita Parys, Jerzy Urbanski, and Katarzyna Karwecka-Wielicka, explored the glacier, being the first to do so since 1925.
Key Features
- Peaks: The Virjerab group boasts around 10 peaks below 6500 meters.
- Khushrui Sar: One of the notable peaks, standing at 5900 meters, at 36°18.203′ N, 75°35.993′ E was first ascended by Dachowski, Hayat, Karwecka-Wielicka, and Wielicki on July 12, 2012. The peak’s name means “Beautiful Peak” in Wakhi.
Trekking Route
The glacier is accessible from Shimshal Valley with a four-day trek, walking around 5-6 hours daily:
- Day 1: Shimshal to Chagh Chagh.
- Day 2: Chagh Chagh to Zue.
- Day 3: Zue to Past Welga.
- Day 4: Past Welga to the middle of Virjerab Glacier, where the base camp can be established.
This route takes trekkers through stunning landscapes, making it a memorable journey for those seeking adventure.