Askole

Askole is a village in the Shigar District of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It lies in the Karakoram mountain range along the Braldu River and serves as one of the last permanent settlements before entering the Baltoro Glacier region. The settlement sits at high elevation in a rugged valley and is surrounded by towering peaks and glacial terrain.

Askole is best known as the gateway to some of the Karakorams' most famous trekking and climbing routes. From Askole, expeditions and trekkers typically progress toward the Baltoro Glacier, Concordia, and eventually peaks such as K2, Broad Peak, and several Gasherbrum peaks. The area has long attracted mountaineers and adventure-tourists, making trekking porterage and guiding important local activities.

The local economy is largely tied to trekking and mountaineering, with guesthouses, small shops, and services for trekkers. The population is small and predominantly Balti-speaking. The community practices traditional agriculture and animal husbandry in the valley floors; many residents also work seasonally in the trekking season.

Access is primarily by road from Skardu, with the route passing through the Hushe valley or Shigar region depending on the path, and travel can be affected by weather and landslides. The environment is high-altitude and arid, with severe winters and short growing seasons; summers are cooler and busy with trekking activity. The area is part of the broader Karakoram range and lies within a rugged, fast-changing landscape.