{{Short description|Human settlement}}{{Infobox settlement | name = Askole | official_name = | native_name = {{nq|اسکولی}} | native_name_lang = ur | other_name = | settlement_type = Village | image_skyline = Askoli.png | image_alt = | image_caption = Askole village on the banks of the Braldu River | pushpin_map = Gilgit Baltistan#Pakistan | mapframe = yes | coordinates = {{coord|35.68200|N|75.81779|E|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Pakistan}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Gilgit-Baltistan | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Shigar | subdivision_type3 = Tehsil | subdivision_name3 = Shigar | subdivision_type4 = Union council | subdivision_name4 = Braldo | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | seat_type = | seat = | leader_party = | leader_title = | leader_name = | unit_pref = | area_total_km2 = | elevation_ft = | population_total = | population_as_of = | population_density_km2 = | population_demonym = | timezone1 = PST | utc_offset1 = +5:00 | postal_code_type = PIN | postal_code = | area_code = | area_code_type = | blank_name_sec1 = | blank_info_sec1 = | footnotes = | etymology = }} '''Askole''', '''Askoli''', or '''Askoly''' ({{langx|ur|{{unq|اسکولی}}}}) is a small town located in Braldo Valley (district Shigar), in the Gilgit–Baltistan region of Pakistan. Askole lies in a remote region of the Karakoram mountains {{Convert|3040|meters|ft|abbr=off}} above sea level. It is notable for being the final settlement before the wilderness of the high Karakorams begins. In 1996, Askole had a population of 370.<ref>[https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1511&context=himalaya Indigenous Labour Arrangements and Household Security in Northern Pakistan]</ref>
== Geography == Askole is the gateway to four of the world's 14 highest peaks known as the Eight-thousanders (above {{nowrap|8,000 meters}}),<ref>[https://www.fallingrain.com/world/PK/07/Askole.html Location of Askole - Falling Rain Genomics]</ref> and is the launchpad for mountaineering expeditions to K2, Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak and other major mountains.
=== Expeditions === Expeditions to the following peaks are launched from Askole: * K2, second highest peak in the world at 8,611 m * Gasherbrum I, 11th highest in the world at 8,080 m. * Broad Peak, 12th highest in the world at 8,047 m. * Gasherbrum II, 13th highest in the world at 8,035 m. * Gasherbrum III, 7,946 m. (Often regarded as a subpeak of Gasherbrum II.) * Gasherbrum IV, 17th highest in the world at 7,932 m. * Masherbrum (K1), 22nd highest in the world at 7,821 m. * Chogolisa, 36th highest in the world at 7,665 m. * Baintha Brakk, 'The Ogre', 7,285 m. * Muztagh Tower, 7,273 m. * Snow Dome, 7,160 m. * Biarchedi, 6,781m * Trango Towers, 6,363 m, the highest cliffs in the world. * Mitre Peak, 6,010 m.
== See also == *Karakoram Highway
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Populated places in Shigar District {{GilgitBaltistan-geo-stub}}