Shigar

Shigar sits deep in Pakistan's Karakoram range, in the wide valley north of Skardu that's become one of the more talked-about corners of the region for cross-country flying. Reaching launch takes real effort: from a quarry area just north of Shigar on the Askole road, pilots climb steep, loose slopes for roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, contouring south along a path to a cleared, south-facing takeoff — or, for an easier but longer approach, a direct climb up to the plateau above adds extra time. Despite facing south, the launch is slow to fire and typically doesn't start working until around midday; a valley breeze from the northwest has also been reported here on occasion, which can catch pilots off guard. The valley itself is unusually wide, with plenty of room to land safely almost anywhere below. According to local accounts, this may be close to where paragliders Julien Wirtz and Philippe Nodet began their legendary 2007 flight over the Trango Towers, though the exact launch used that day isn't confirmed.

Launch & conditions

Two takeoff options exist: the main south-facing site, reached by contouring south along a path above the quarry, and a longer route via a direct climb followed by an easier walk across the plateau above. A second, southeast-facing takeoff may also work and could fire earlier in the day, though it hasn't been fully explored.

Getting there & local rules

A taxi from Skardu to the quarry area 1 km north of Shigar takes about 50 minutes and costs roughly 500 rupees; from there, it's a 1.5-2 hour hike up to launch.

Local rules & hazards

Skardu valley typically turns windy — 40 km/h or more — after around 4pm, when a strong south wind flowing down from the Deosai plains meets the valley's usual west wind, so plan to be down well before then. Wind patterns specific to Shigar itself aren't well documented yet, so treat forecasts with extra caution.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Shigar, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Shigar with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.