Ranked 27th highest mountain in the world, Rakaposhi mountain is in the Karakoram mountain range in the Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan. It is situated in the middle of the Nagar and Bagrote valleys and danyor, approximately 100 km (62 mi) north of Gilgit city. Rakaposhi means ‘snow covered’ in the local language. Rakaposhi is also known as Dumani (Mother of Mist or Mother of Clouds).
The first successful recorded ascent by non-natives was in 1958 by Mike Banks and Tom Patey, members of a British expedition, via the Southwest Spur/Ridge route. Both of them suffered minor frostbite during the ascent to the summit on June 25. Another climber slipped and fell on the descent and died during the night.
The people of Nagar have dedicated the Rakaposhi range mountain area as a community park. The Minister for Northern Areas inaugurated the park. The Rakaposhi mountain range is the home of endangered species such as Marco Polo sheep, snow leopard, brown bear, and wolves.
Rakaposhi is notable for its exceptional rise over local terrain. On the north, it rises 5,900 metres (19,357 ft) in only an 11.2 km (7 mi) horizontal distance from the Hunza-Nagar River. There are views of Rakaposhi from the Karakoram Highway on the route through Nagar. A tourist spot in the town of Ghulmat (located in the Nagar Valley) called ‘Zero Point of Rakaposhi’ is the closest view point of the mountain.
Rakaposhi is the only mountain in the world which rises straight from beautifully cultivated fields to the height of 25,550 feet. From many places this wonderful spectacle can be viewed right from the base to the top.
