| Noshaq | |
|---|---|
Noshaq, to the left, as seen from base camp |
|
| Elevation | 7,492 m (24,580 ft) Ranked 52nd |
| Prominence | 2,024 m (6,640 ft) |
| Listing | Country high point Ultra |
| Location | |
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Noshaq
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| Location | Afghanistan Pakistan |
| Range | Hindu Kush |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1960 by Toshiaki Sakai & Goro Iwatsubo (Japan) |
| Easiest route | glacier/snow climb |
Noshaq (or Nowshak) is the highest mountain in Afghanistan and the second highest independent peak of the Hindu Kush after Tirich Mir (7,690 m (25,230 ft)). Noshaq is located in the northeastern corner of the country along the Durand line which marks the border with Pakistan. It is the westernmost 7,000 m (22,966 ft) peak in the world. The north and west sides of the mountain are in Afghanistan whereas the south and eastern sides are in Pakistan.
The first ascent of the mountain was in 1960 by Toshiaki Sakai and Goro Iwatsubo, members of a Japanese expedition. The climb followed the southeast ridge from the Qadzi Deh Glacier. Nowadays, the normal route is by the West ridge.
The first winter ascent was in 1973 by Tadeusz Piotrowski and Andrzej Zawada, members of a Polish expedition, via the north face. It was the world's first winter climb above 7,000 m (22,966 ft).
The first Afghan ascent of the mountain was in July 2009. Two members of a team of four Afghans from the Wakhan Corridor made the summit on July 19.[1]