SKARDU: Polish cyclist Paweł Małaszko, 46, has begun the final leg of his ambitious journey to become the first person to cycle from Karachi to the K2 base camp. On Sunday, he set off from Skardu after overcoming a legal battle for the required permits, which had temporarily stalled his journey. Małaszko aims to cover the last 200 kilometers from Skardu to the base camp in 14 days, with the route being one of the most challenging sections due to glaciers, steep terrain, and mountainous paths.
Małaszko, who started his journey on April 4, has already cycled over 3,250 kilometers from Karachi to Skardu. His goal is to complete this historic expedition without additional support, carrying his bicycle over certain sections where cycling is impossible. The cyclist has also expressed his desire to promote Pakistan as a top adventure destination in Europe and beyond, highlighting the country’s varied cultures and hospitable people.
The journey had been delayed due to a legal dispute over the issuance of trekking permits, which had been suspended because of a 300% hike in permit fees by the GB government under the Finance Act of 2024. However, after a personal appeal to the GB Chief Court, Małaszko was granted a permit to continue his unique expedition.
