SKARDU: A trekker was killed after falling in a ditch while descending from the 5,620-metre high Ghandoghoro Pass in Baltoro the other day.

Baltistan Commissioner Abdul Qamar Shehzad told Dawn here on Thursday that a 15-member trekking team was descending from Concordia to Hushey via the famous Ghandoghoro Pass when one of its members fell into a ditch and died. The deceased was identified as Ali Waqas, a resident of Lahore. Sources said that the body of the deceased was being shifted to Skardu.

The Ghandoghoro Pass is one of the favourite trekking routes of national and international trekking groups. Crossing this pass is tantamount to climbing a mountain as it needs crampon, ropes and trained and experienced guide.

Keeping in view the hardships of trekkers on Ghandoghoro Pass, the local mountaineers from Hushey used to provide rescue to each trekking group by fixing ropes in the mountaineering season from July to October.

According to sources, the local rescue team has not yet fixed ropes on the pass due to decrease in the number of trekkers and sufficient snow.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2014