Pik Karakol, Mountain summit in Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan

Pik Karakol is the highest mountain of the Terskey Ala-Too, a range of the Tian Shan, in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Region. Sources give its height as 5,216 m, or 5,281 m in others. Glaciers feed from its north and south flanks, and the summit was first climbed in 1937.

Pik Karakol was first climbed in 1937 by N. Popov, G. Beloglazov, V. Ratsek and K. Baygazinov. At 5216 m, or 5281 m according to other sources, it is the highest mountain in the Terskey Ala-Too. Its north and south flanks hold the accumulation areas of several glaciers.

The peak's Kyrgyz name, Karakol chokusu, links it to the town of Karakol below, the base most trekkers start from. Trails to the mountain pass through alpine meadows and forests where herders still graze livestock in summer, and many visitors ride horses with local guides to see this nomadic practice firsthand.

The first ascent, by Popov, Beloglazov, Ratsek and Baygazinov in 1937, went via the north flank, where the glaciers feeding several ice fields begin. Approach from Karakol on foot or horseback through alpine meadows and forest; the summit stands at 5,216 m by one measurement, 5,281 m by another.

Temperature swings between seasons exceed 50 degrees Celsius, creating starkly different weather conditions at different elevations. These extremes shift where snow persists and where ice forms on the slopes.