Naw Shakh, Arachosia Travel Guide

Naw Shakh, also called Noshaq or Nowshakh, stands as Afghanistan's highest peak and the second highest in the Hindu Kush range after Tirich Mir [3, 5]. Rising to an elevation of 7,492 meters (24,580 feet), it forms a natural border between Afghanistan and Pakistan [3, 5]. The north and west sides of the mountain are in Afghanistan, while its south and east faces lie in Pakistan [3].More than just a geographical landmark, Naw Shakh embodies adventure, resilience, and the untouched beauty of the Afghan landscape [5]. Historically, it has drawn mountaineers from across the globe, captivated by the challenge of its ascent and the allure of its remote setting [5, 8]. The first successful climb occurred in 1960 by a Japanese expedition [3, 5, 7].The mountain's climbing history is interwoven with periods of political instability, particularly during the Soviet invasion and the Taliban regime, which severely restricted access [3, 5, 8]. However, since the early 2000s, efforts have been made to revive tourism in the area, offering a chance to explore this hidden gem [5, 8]. In 2009, the first Afghan ascent was recorded, and in 2018, Hanifa Yousoufi became the first Afghan woman to summit Naw Shakh [2, 11].The easiest access to Naw Shakh is from the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan [3, 5, 8]. The most common route follows the West Ridge, approaching from the Qadzi Deh Glacier [5, 8]. While considered non-technical, this route still presents challenges due to the high altitude, unpredictable weather, and glacial terrain [5, 8]. Climbers typically establish a series of base camps to acclimatize [5, 8]. The best time to climb Naw Shakh is during the summer months (June-August) when the weather is relatively stable [5].