Derek Boniecki September 1, 2016 Chinese K2 (BC North), Shaksgam Valley - Chinese Karakoram Derek Boniecki September 1, 2016 The incredible Western China - Xinjiang home of the Karakoram Mountains and the mighty K2 Xinjiang and on the horizon the Tien Shan Mountains of Kirgistsan Western China - Xinjiang The incredible Xinjiang Xinjiang Tien Shan Mountains of China Tian Shan Mountains of China Tian Shan Mountains of China Tian Shan Mountains of China The Tian Shan Mountain Range of China Tian Shan Mountains Tian Shan Beautiful mountains near Urumchi. Bogda Peak or Bogda Feng is the highest mountain in the Bogda Shan range, in the eastern Tian Shan mountains, China, at 5,445 m and the northernmost 5,000 m or higher peak in Eurasia. For information regarding the Aghil Pass see here The Xinjang - Tibet Highway Kunlun Mountains and the "Kashgar - Tibet" Highway Kunlun Mountains The Kunlun Mountains The Xinjiang - Tibet Highway The road from Mazar to Ilik though north Karakoram Mountains The north Karakoram Yarkand River in Ilik The Karakoram around Ilik Ilik - the camels arrived Start of our trek - the north Karakoram mountains The awesome deep gorges of Northern Karakoram The camel caravan in the river bed of North Karakoram mountains The gorges of the north Karakoram - near Aghil Pass Near the Aghil Pass The approach to the Aghil Pass The approach to the Aghil PAss The approach to the Aghil Pass The last camp before the Aghil Pass Aghil Pass The high Karakoram from the Aghil Pass The view from the top of Aghil Pass towards the Shagskam River Valley and the main Karakoram Range Descending the Aghil Pass The Shagskam River Valley Preparing to cross the Shakgskam River Our caravan in the Shakskam River valley Shagskam River Valley Shagskam River Valley These mountains make you feel so small Crossing one of the main channels of the Shagskam River In the summer, the entire valley is filled with water The view of the Shagskam River Valley that we followed to get to K2 The Shagskam River Valley View of the Chinese Base Camp - the last non glacier camp before K2 glacier K2 - the steep north ridge The Chinese BC and K2 (on the left) Looking west down the Shagskam River valley - the area is closed to trekking by the Chinese army Sarpo Lago River valley K2 - 4km of rock North Ridge of K2 The confluence of the Shagskam and the Sarpo Lago RIvers Approaching the K2 Glacier K2 Glacier and K2 K2 Glacier K2 Glacier and Italian BC, K2 in the distance The Italian BC on the K2 Glacier K2 - the north face and the north ridge The Italian BC on the K2 Glacier A side glacier flowing into the K2 Glacier K2 and a side glacier Mountains along the K2 Glacier Skyang Kangri 7545m at the end of the side glacier flowing to the main K2 North Glacier Skyang Kangri and K2 Skyang Kangri 7545m Skyang Kangri 7545m K2, Pakistan is on the other side Unnamed peaks 7174m and 7152m. On the right, Peak 6639m Unnamed peaks 7174m and 7152m. The memorial to disappeared climbers of K2 north At the memorial to the climbers who died on K2’s North Face Looking down the Sarpo Lago River valley Crevasse Glacier The lower section of The Crown is visible on the right Looking up to the Sarpo Lago Glacier Skamri Glacier Valley Peaks above Skamri Glacier Approaching Aghil Pass Aghil Pass We stopped for tea at a local herder’s hut