SKARDU, July 10: Five members of a Swiss expedition succeeded to climb Gashabrum-II peak in the Karakoram range, sources told Dawn here on Saturday. The team comprised 22 mountaineers. Team leader Richard Bold and Pakistani climber Yousuf, resident of Hushey, were among the five people who reached the top of the 8,035-metre peak.

It was the first conquest in this season, said the sources.

Gashabrum-II, located in the Baltoro area in Baltistan was first conquered by an Australian climber 50 years ago.

To celebrate the golden jubilee of the first ascent of the peak, several expedition teams from various countries are trying to scale Gashabrum-II these days.

A joint expedition of the Army and Alpine Club of Pakistan, led by Lt-Col Amjad Ghori, also left for Askoli on Sunday. The team will reach the Gashabrum-II base camp on July 17 and will attempt the peak on Aug 14.