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Concordia
Concordia is the name for the confluence of the Baltoro
Glacier and the Godwin-Austen Glacier, in the heart of the Karakoram range of Pakistan.
It is located in Baltistan region of Pakistan. The name was applied by
European explorers, and comes from this location's similarity to a glacial
confluence, also named Concordia, in the Bernese Oberland, part of the Central Alps.
Around Concordia are clustered some of the highest peaks
in the world. Four of the world's fourteen "eight-thousanders" are in
this region, as well as a number of important lower peaks.
Concordia offers the region's best place to camp for
mountain enthusiasts not involved in climbing. With breathtaking views, it also
offers short hikes to several important base camps: K2 (three hours), Broad Peak
(two hours) and the Gasherbrums (three hours). An alternative exit to returning
down the Baltoro Glacier is available by climbing the Gondogoro Pass
(5450 meters). Visitors to the region are advised to carefully monitor their
water intake with concern. To avoid often painful and sometimes debilitating
stomach upsets at high altitude; water should be obtained from clear water
sources and brought to a rolling boil, or purified before consumption. Notable
peaks in this area include:
* K2, second highest in the world at 8,611m.
* Gasherbrum I, 11th highest in the world at 8,080m.
* Broad Peak,
12th highest in the world at 8,047m.
* Gasherbrum II,
13th highest in the world at 8,035m.
* Gasherbrum III, 7,952m.
* Gasherbrum IV,
17th highest in the world at 7,925m.
* Masherbrum
(K1), 22nd highest in the world at 7,821m.
* Chogolisa,
36th highest in the world at 7,665m.
* Muztagh Tower, 7,273m.
* Snow Dome,
7,160m.
* Biarchedi,
6,781 m
* Mitre Peak,
6,010m.
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