Broad Peak

Broad Peak is a mountain summit in the Karakoram Range on the border between Pakistan and China, rising to 8,051 meters above sea level and ranking as one of the twelve highest mountains on Earth. The summit stands between two other tall formations in the region and forms part of a long mountain chain that stretches across several countries.

An Austrian expedition reached the summit in June 1957, with four climbers ascending without supplemental oxygen. This ascent was among the first successful expeditions to an eight-thousand-meter peak without technical breathing aids.

Local communities call this summit Falchan Kangri, a name rooted in the language spoken in nearby valleys and villages. The shape of the massif gave European explorers the impression of width when they first saw it from a distance.

Climbers need authorization from Pakistani authorities and usually set up a base camp around 5,000 meters before starting the ascent along the western flank. Conditions on the mountain change quickly and require thorough preparation and experience at extreme altitude.

This mountain has three separate summits all higher than 8,000 meters: the main one at 8,051 meters, Rocky Summit at 8,028 meters, and the central point at 8,011 meters. This arrangement is rare and makes the climb technically demanding because mountaineers must cross several high points.