Two teams set to scale Gasherbrum peaks.

Byline: Jamil Nagri

GILGIT -- Two winter expedition teams are attempting to scale GashAerbrum-I (8,034 metres) and Gasherbrum-II (8,080 metres) in the Karakoram range mountain situated in Gilgit-Baltistan.

According to the tour organisers, Italian climbers Simone Moro, 52, and Tamara Lunger, 33, along with 45 local porters were on their way to the base camp of Gasherbrum-I. Italian photographers, Matteo Zanga and Matteo Pavana, are also part of the expedition.

Naik Naam Karim, tour operator of the expedition, told Dawn that the climbers got permits to scale both peaks.

The team will complete their adventure in January.

'The team started the trek to approach the Gasherbrum base camp on Friday and are now passing from Paju,' according to the official page of the expedition.

In the next few days, they will stay at the base camp to assess the weather for further planning.

'If the weather allows, they will proceed ahead,' said the tour operator.

The other team - Broad Peak winter expedition - comprising famous Russian mountaineer Denis Urubko, Don Bowie from Canada, and former Miss Finland Lotta Hintsa arrived at the base camp of the peak on Friday.

Team leader Denis Urubko in a satellite message said: 'From Concordia to the Base Camp there was 1 metre of snow. Me and three porters have opened the trail and arrived to the Base camp, finally all the team is here, weather is good!'

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