Best Season & Weather Guide

K2

Height

8,611 m

Range

Karakoram (Baltoro)

K2 sits far enough north to avoid the full force of the South Asian monsoon, but it creates its own weather and is exposed to strong jet-stream winds. Teams usually spend June and early July acclimatising and fixing lines, then wait for a short spell of low wind and stable conditions for the summit push — commonly in the second half of July. Windows can be only a few days long, so patience at base camp is part of the climb.

Season: Mid-June – mid-August · Summit window: Typically late July

Nanga Parbat

Height

8,126 m

Range

Western Himalaya

As the western anchor of the Himalaya, Nanga Parbat is more exposed to monsoon-influenced moisture than the Baltoro peaks, and heavy snowfall and avalanche conditions are a major factor. The season generally starts and finishes a little earlier than in the Karakoram, with summit attempts often from late June into July, before conditions deteriorate.

Season: June – July · Summit window: Typically late June – mid-July

Gasherbrum I

Height

8,051 m

Range

Karakoram (Baltoro)

Sharing a base camp with Gasherbrum II at the head of the Baltoro, Gasherbrum I follows the same summer Karakoram pattern: acclimatisation through late June and early July, with summit windows most often in July. The route through the Gasherbrum icefall is usually best tackled in the cold early hours, before the sun softens the snow.

Season: June – August · Summit window: Typically July

Gasherbrum II

Height

8,035 m

Range

Karakoram (Baltoro)

Often regarded as one of the more accessible 8,000m peaks, Gasherbrum II is climbed in the same summer window as its neighbour. Stable weather is most likely from early to late July, though windows vary considerably from year to year and heavy snowfall can raise avalanche risk on the upper slopes.

Season: June – August · Summit window: Typically July

Broad Peak

Height

8,047 m

Range

Karakoram (Baltoro)

Broad Peak sits beside K2 on the Godwin-Austen Glacier and shares its weather systems. The standard summer season follows the same pattern — acclimatisation rotations from late June, with summit pushes usually in July. Strong winds on the long summit ridge make a reliable forecast particularly important.

Season: June – August · Summit window: Typically July

Terich Mir

Height

7,708 m

Range

Hindu Kush (Chitral)

The highest peak of the Hindu Kush, Terich Mir lies west of the Karakoram in Chitral and is generally drier, with a summer climbing season running from June into August. It sees far fewer expeditions than the 8,000m peaks, and local knowledge of conditions and access is especially valuable.

Season: June – August · Summit window: Typically July – August