What is "noshaq"

Noshaq (also called Nowshak or Nōshākh; Dari/) is the second highest independent peak of the Hindu Kush Range after Tirich Mir and lies on the border between Badakhshan Province in Afghanistan and Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The north and west sides of the mountain are in Afghanistan whereas the south and eastern sides are in Pakistan. Noshaq is Afghanistan's highest mountain and is located in the northeastern corner of the country along the Durand line which marks the border with Pakistan. It is the westernmost 7000m peak in the world. Easiest access to Noshaq is from Chitral, Pakistan.

The first ascent of the mountain was in 1960 by Toshiaki Sakai and Goro Iwatsubo, members of a Japanese expedition. The climb followed the southeast ridge from the Qadzi Deh Glacier. Nowadays, the normal route is by the West ridge.

The first winter ascent was in 1973 by Andrzej Zawada and Tadeusz Piotrowski, members of a Polish expedition, via the north face. It was the world's first winter climb above . To date it is the only winter ascent to this summit.

The first Afghan ascent of the mountain was in July 2009. Two members of a team of four Afghans from the Wakhan Corridor made the summit on July 19.