Tirich Mir is the giant of the western Hindu Kush and the dominant view from anywhere in Chitral on a clear day. The summit sits 50 km north of Chitral town, but the mountain is so massive that on a still morning it looks much closer.
A Norwegian expedition led by Arne Næss made the first ascent in 1950. Permits for climbing are issued by the Alpine Club of Pakistan in Islamabad; the standard route goes from the south, with base camp at around 4,000 metres near the village of Tirich. For non-climbers, the long view of the mountain from Chitral's polo ground or from the road up to Birmoghlasht is reward enough.