Askole, a remote village in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, is the last inhabited settlement on the way to K2. It is home to a resilient community whose porters have long been the backbone of expeditions in the Karakoram Range. These porters carry heavy loads of supplies and equipment for climbers, often trekking through harsh and dangerous conditions at high altitudes.
The porters’ expertise goes beyond physical strength; many act as guides, cooks, and moral support during expeditions. They possess unique skills developed through generations of living in the mountains, such as an innate sense of direction and unmatched stamina in thin air.
Despite their invaluable contributions, porters face challenging conditions, including low pay, inadequate gear, and dangerous working environments. Efforts are being made to improve their working conditions, but much remains to be done.