Haramosh La is one of the more challenging passes to cross in the Karakoram. It is situated in the Lesser Karakoram Range but there is NOTHING lesser about it. The altitude is gained very rapidly (from 2000m to 5200m in 3 days), the ascent is dotted with crevasses and the descent is a 1500m drop on day 1 and another 1500m on day 2. The descent slope is a 50 degree mass of loose rocks that is just waiting to be dislodged and catapult down to the valley. One has to descent the slope diagonally to avoid dropping rocks on anyone below in the party. We had a very competent local guide Hussain from Arando. He was incredibly fast, strong and knew the best way up the Haramosh Glacier and down to the Kutwal Valley. The upper section is quite steep but nothing overly serious. The loose terrain was the biggest challenge with our large group of porters. If the upper section is iced up or snow covered, a fixed rope would be required. We were fortunate to have dry conditions.
The temperature went from -10C on top of the pass to +45C at 2200m in the narrow valley with heat radiating walls. The ever-changing and unpredictable weather adds to the challenge as the pass can only be crossed in clear weather. Crossing it in a snowstorm or rain would be quite dangerous on the descent.
It is not a popular trek and the pass is crossed very rarely (once or maybe twice per year, in a good year). I had it on my radar since 2013 and I finally made it. It is an incredible place with absolutely stunning scenery. Not easy to get to but definitely worth the effort.
Thanks to Adventure Karakoram Pakistan and Ghulam from Mountain Travels Pakistan for their assistance, hospitality and great service!