ISTOR-O-NAL EXPEDITION

🏔️ Istor-o-Nal Expedition – Unveiling the Hidden Giant of Chitral

📍 Introduction

Nestled deep within the legendary Shagram Valley of Chitral, Istor-o-Nal (also spelled Istronal) stands tall as the third-highest mountain in the Hindu Kush, rising to an awe-inspiring height of 7,403 meters (24,288 feet). Towering in silent majesty near the shadow of Tirich Mir, this formidable peak remains one of Pakistan’s most mysterious and least-climbed giants.

First ascended in 1955 by an American team led by Joseph E. Murphy, Istor-o-Nal has since been visited by only a handful of expeditions, keeping its wild and untouched aura alive. The mountain’s name, translated from the Khowar language, is believed to mean “Horseshoe of Darkness,” fitting for a peak that lies hidden among glaciers, rock towers, and sky-piercing spires.

Chogholingsa Trek & Tours invites daring climbers and adventurers to embark on a true expedition into the unexplored wilderness of northern Pakistan.

📌 Geographic & Climbing Overview

    .    Peak Name: Istor-o-Nal (also: Istronal, Easter Nall)

    .    Elevation: 7,403 meters (24,288 feet)

    .    Location: Shagram Valley, Upper Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

    .     Mountain Range: Hindu Kush

    .    First Ascent: 1955, American Expedition

    .    Proximity: North of Tirich Mir (just 10–15 km)

🌄 Why Choose Istor-o-Nal?

    .    Third-highest peak in the Hindu Kush and among the least-attempted 7000m peaks in the world.

    .    Extreme remoteness and raw natural beauty – a real Himalayan experience without modern intrusion.

    .    Ideal for veteran climbers, seeking solitude, challenge, and unexplored technical routes.

    .    Experience Khowar culture, untouched valleys, and traditional hospitality of Chitral’s ancient mountain villages.

• Stunning scenery including the Tirich Glacier, Rosh Gol Valley, and Buni Zom range.

🗺️ Access & Route

    .    Main Access Route: Islamabad → Chitral → Shagram Valley → Rosh Gol → Base Camp

    .    Trek Duration to BC: 3–4 days

    .    Climbing Route: Traditional South Ridge or Eastern Ice Face via the Tirich Glacier

🧭 Suggested Itinerary (30 Days)

🏕️ Camps & Route Plan

    .    Base Camp (4,200 m): Located beside the upper Tirich Glacier

    .    Camp I (~5,100 m): Glacier traverse and moraine zone

    .    Camp II (~6,000 m): Ice slope and ridgeline

    .    Camp III (~6,800 m): High camp below summit ridge

    .    Summit Day: 8–12 hour push across snow, ice, and exposed ridges

🧗‍♂️ Technical Climbing Info

    .    Grade: Alpine D to D+

    .    Climb Type: Mixed alpine (ice, snow, and rock)

    .    Ideal for: 7,000m+ experienced climbers

    .    Key Challenges:

    .    Steep snow couloirs

    .    Long ridgeline ascents

    .    Glacier crevasses and seracs

    .    Harsh weather and high altitude

🌿 Highlights Beyond Climbing

    .    Cultural immersion in Shagram and Torkhow Valley villages

    .    Explore the Rosh Gol and Zani Pass routes, once used by traders and pilgrims

    .    Majestic views of Tirich Mir, Noshaq, Booni Zom, and beyond

    .    Opportunities for wildlife sightings (ibex, snow leopards, Himalayan birds)

    .    Optional side treks to Tirich Base Camp or Buni Zom massif

🛡️ Services by Chogholingsa Trek & Tours

    .     Full-service climbing logistics from Islamabad to summit

    .    Experienced local guides, high-altitude porters, base camp support

    .    Expedition permit facilitation and government liaison handling

    .     Professional cooks, medical kits, tents, and satellite communication

    .     Customized support for alpine style, research missions, or filming crews

📦 Expedition Package Includes

    .    Hotel stays in Islamabad and Chitral

    .    All domestic transport (road/air)

    .     Meals and lodging during the expedition

    .    Expedition gear transport (via porters)

    .    Environmental responsibility: Leave No Trace policy

🧭 Best Time to Climb

Mid-June to early September, when snowpack stabilizes and weather is most favorable for high-altitude Himalayan climbing.

💬 Why Climb with Chogholingsa?

    .     Decades of local knowledge in Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Gilgit-Baltistan

    .    Culturally sensitive, eco-conscious, and experienced in remote expeditions

    .    Trusted by foreign mountaineers, researchers, and filmmakers

    .    Custom itineraries and personal support from mountain to city

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