GILGIT: A four-member Russian team on Thursday scaled 6,046-metre Khosar Gang peak in Shigar valley of Gilgit-Baltistan region.

Climbers included Dennis Urubko, Anton Kravchenko, Andrew Shlyapnikov and Max Berngard.

Alpine Club of Pakistan secretary Karrar Haidri told Dawn that it was the first winter ascent of Khosar Gang peak.

He said Khosar Gang meant ‘ice pumpkin’ in Balti language.

Mr Haidri said the team had begun their adventure in the first week of last month.

Meanwhile, team leader Dennis Urubko said the climbers used a new route on the left flank to scale the peak.

“The standard way to the Khosar Gang peak is too icy and avalanche-risky in the winter period,” he said.

The expedition was organised by the Jasmine Tours of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2022