Paiju Peak

Paiju Peak (Paiyu Peak, Payu Peak)

The beautiful Paiju Peak, or Paiyu Peak, is known for its sharp, steep shape. The mountain is also covered with ice and snow, making it a daunting climb. It is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan in the Karakoram mountains. Paiju is named after the Paiju mountain range, which includes Uli Biaho, Uli Biaho Tower, and Uli Biaho Peak.

The closest peaks to Paiju are Choricho, directly northwest of Paiju, Uli Biaho peaks and Shipton Spire north of the peak, and the Trango Towers northeast of Paiju. Hikers can rest at Paiyu Camp to the south of the mountain. Central Karakoram National Park is just west of the mountain.

Country: Pakistan

State/Province: Gilgit–Baltistan

Mountain Range: Baltoro Muztagh, Karakoram

Parents: Karakoram

Elevation: 21,686 feet / 6,610 meters

Prominence: 1,909 feet / 582 meters

First Ascent: July 20, 1976, by Bashir Ahmed, Manzoor Hussain, Nazir Ahmed Sabir, members of a Pakistani group.

Plant Life: The Central Karakoram National Park boasts valleys of Himalayan white pine, West Himalayan spruce, and Pashtun juniper. Smaller shrubs and plants common to the region are wild strawberry (Fragaria nubicola), Kashmir balsam (a species of impatiens), sea wormwood, Astragalus gilgitensis, Geranium nepalensis, Thymus linearis, and white clover.

Animal Life: The snow leopard, Himalayan lynx, Himalayan brown and black bear, urial, Siberian ibex, markhor, and bharal all live in the Central Karakoram National Park area.

Bird Life: Only a few bird species have been spotted in the region, mainly the common raven, golden eagle, chukar partridge, and Alpine chough.

Sources:

• Wikipedia: Central Karakoram National Park
• Google Maps