The Baltoro Muztagh (simplified Chinese: 巴尔托洛慕士塔格山; traditional Chinese: 巴爾托洛慕士塔格山; pinyin: Bā'ěrtuōluò Mùshìtǎgé Shān, Urdu: بلتورو موز تاغ) is a subrange within the Karakoram mountain range. It spans across the Baltistan region of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is the northernmost political entity of Pakistan, and extends into Xinjiang, China. The crest of this range also serves as part of the border between Pakistan and China.

Baltoro Muztagh
Chinese: 巴尔托洛慕士塔格山
Highest point
PeakK2
Elevation8,611 metres (28,251 ft)
Coordinates35°52′57″N 76°30′48″E / 35.88250°N 76.51333°E / 35.88250; 76.51333
Geography
Baltoro Muztagh is located in Karakoram
Baltoro Muztagh
Baltoro Muztagh
Location of the Baltoro Muztagh within the greater Karakoram region
Baltoro Muztagh is located in Gilgit Baltistan
Baltoro Muztagh
Baltoro Muztagh
Baltoro Muztagh (Gilgit Baltistan)
Baltoro Muztagh is located in Southern Xinjiang
Baltoro Muztagh
Baltoro Muztagh
Baltoro Muztagh (Southern Xinjiang)
Map
CountriesPakistan and China
RegionsGilgit-Baltistan and Xinjiang
Parent rangeKarakoram

The range is home to K2 which has an elevation of 8,611 metres (28,251 ft) above sea level, which is also the second highest mountain in the world. Additionally, it is home to three other eight-thousander peaks, all located on the north and east sides of the Baltoro Glacier.

Selected peaks of the Baltoro Muztagh

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Below is a list of peaks in the Baltoro Muztagh that exceed 7,000 meters (22,970 feet) in elevation and possess a topographic prominence of over 500 meters (1,640 feet), a commonly used criterion for considering peaks of this stature as independent.

Height (m) Height (ft) Coordinates Prominence (m) Parent mountain First ascent Ascents (attempts)
K2 8,611 28,251 35°52′57″N 76°30′48″E / 35.88250°N 76.51333°E / 35.88250; 76.51333 4,017 Mount Everest 1954 45 (44)
Gasherbrum I 8,080 26,509 35°43′27″N 76°41′44″E / 35.72417°N 76.69556°E / 35.72417; 76.69556 2,155 K2 1958 31 (16)
Broad Peak 8,051 26,414 35°48′38″N 76°34′05″E / 35.81056°N 76.56806°E / 35.81056; 76.56806 1,701 Gasherbrum I 1957 39 (19)
Gasherbrum II 8,034 26,362 35°45′27″N 76°39′11″E / 35.75750°N 76.65306°E / 35.75750; 76.65306 1,523 Gasherbrum I 1956 54 (12)
Gasherbrum III 7,952 26,089 35°44′0″N 76°38′0″E / 35.73333°N 76.63333°E / 35.73333; 76.63333 461 Gasherbrum II 1975
Gasherbrum IV 7,932 26,024 35°45′33″N 76°36′57″E / 35.75917°N 76.61583°E / 35.75917; 76.61583 725 Gasherbrum III 1958 4 (11)
Skyang Kangri 7,545 24,754 35°55′35″N 76°34′03″E / 35.92639°N 76.56750°E / 35.92639; 76.56750 1,060 K2 1976 1 (2)
Sia Kangri 7,422 24,350 35°39′48″N 76°45′45″E / 35.66333°N 76.76250°E / 35.66333; 76.76250 640 Gasherbrum I 1934 6 (0)
Skil Brum 7,410 24,311 35°51′03″N 76°25′45″E / 35.85083°N 76.42917°E / 35.85083; 76.42917 1,152 K2 1957 2 (1)
Chongtar Kangri 7,315 23,999 35°54′46″N 76°25′47″E / 35.91278°N 76.42972°E / 35.91278; 76.42972 1,300 Skil Brum 1994 1 (1)
Muztagh Tower 7,276 23,871 35°49′38″N 76°21′39″E / 35.82722°N 76.36083°E / 35.82722; 76.36083 1,710 Skil Brum 1956 4 (2)
Gasherbrum V 7,147 23,448 35°44′0″N 76°37′0″E / 35.73333°N 76.61667°E / 35.73333; 76.61667 654 Gasherbrum IV 2014

Lower summits

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There are a number of lower summits near the tongue of the Baltoro Glacier which are striking rock towers, and are famous for their aesthetic, difficult climbing. These include:

See also

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Sources

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Jerzy Wala, Orographical Sketch Map of the Karakoram, Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research, Zurich, 1990.

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