Shipton Spire, also known as The Needle, is a prominent rock formation located in the Karakoram range of the Himalayas. It stands at an elevation of approximately 5,881 meters (19,291 feet) and is situated in the Baltoro Glacier region in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Shipton Spire is named after the renowned British mountaineer Eric Shipton, who explored and surveyed the Karakoram range extensively in the mid-20th century. The spire is characterized by its striking needle-like shape, with a narrow summit and steep, exposed rock faces.
The first successful ascent of Shipton Spire took place in 2000 by a Russian expedition led by Evgeny Vinogradsky. They climbed the mountain via the northeast ridge, completing a challenging and technical route to reach the summit.
Since then, several other climbing teams have attempted Shipton Spire, and a few have succeeded via different routes. The mountain offers a variety of challenging climbing routes, ranging from moderately technical to extremely difficult. The ascent typically involves rock climbing, including sections of vertical and overhanging terrain, with a combination of traditional protection and aid climbing techniques.
Shipton Spire attracts experienced climbers who are seeking a demanding and technically challenging climb in a remote and beautiful mountain environment. Its prominent location in the Karakoram range and its striking shape make it a notable feature in the region, drawing the attention of mountaineers from around the world.
| Lodging at base camp (single supplement) |
| Full base camp with dinning tent, bathroom, showers & solar charge |
| All internal/domestic transport |
| All domestic flights |
| 50kgs (110 lbs) personal baggage |
| All meals during trek and at base camp (B,L,D) |
| Group emergency equipment/satellite phone service with fixed calling charge |
| Two nights stay in Islamabad hotel on arrival and two on return (bed & breakfast only) |
| Staff insurance (guide, cook, kitchen staff, assistant(s) & porters etc) |
| Experienced cook from Pakistan |
| Kitchen staff |
| Porters for all expedition supplies |
| Solar power at base camp |
| Electricity generator (backup for high voltage devices) |
| International airfare |
| Permit/royalty fee according to number of persons |
| Personal climbing equipment, clothing & sleeping equipment |
| Group climbing gear (rope, ice crew, snow bar, EPI gas, cooking pots and others) |
| Mountain climbing rescue and evacuation insurance policy - mandatory |
| Lodging and meals above base camp |
| Any service above base camp |
| Communication radio (walkie talkie) |
| Weather reports |
| Personal equipment cargo to/from Islamabad |
| Pakistan visa fee |
| Tips/gratuities to staff, cook, assistant(s) of US$ 250 per person in total |
| Meals in Islamabad |
| Extra hotel nights after the climb |
| Trip cancellation insurance |
| All expenses incurred in the event of early wind-up/summit (extra hotel nights, meals at hotels, evacuation) |
| Charges incurred due to delays beyond the control of Apricot Tours (Force majeure) |
| Personal communication (phone, fax, e-mail) between Pakistan and home country. |
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Arif Hassan Arif
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