Noshaq
Height: 7,492 meters (24,580 feet)
Location: Afghanistan–Pakistan border, Hindu Kush range
Coordinates: 36.4381°N, 71.8381°E
Overview
Noshaq, also spelled Nowshak, is the highest mountain in Afghanistan and the second highest in the Hindu Kush range after Tirich Mir. With a towering height of 7,492 meters, it lies on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, with the north and west faces in Afghanistan and the south and east faces in Pakistan.
Geography
Noshaq is located in the Wakhan Corridor of northeastern Afghanistan and is part of the greater Hindu Kush mountain system. The approach to the mountain from the Pakistani side is through the Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Its proximity to the borders of China, Pakistan, and Tajikistan makes it a geopolitically and geographically significant peak.
Climbing History
The first successful ascent of Noshaq was made in 1960 by a Japanese expedition led by Professor Sakato from the north side. While the Afghan north side is harder to access due to limited infrastructure, the southern approach from Pakistan via Tirich Mir valley and Baroghil is relatively more accessible.
Noshaq is considered a technically moderate climb compared to other 7,000-meter peaks, and it has been promoted in recent years as a potential climbing destination to develop tourism in Afghanistan.
Interesting Fact
Noshaq was the first Afghan mountain to be successfully climbed, and it remains the country’s highest point. Due to its strategic location and relatively lower technical difficulty, it is sometimes used for altitude training by climbers preparing for other Himalayan peaks.
Access
The most common route is via Pakistan's Chitral region, heading toward the Tirich Glacier. The Afghan route involves traveling through the Wakhan Corridor, though this route requires special arrangements and is logistically more complex.