First Ascent in the Karakorum – How Home Gives Lukas Wörle Strength

With the first ascent of Cherireen Sar in the Karakorum in the summer of 2025, I became part of alpine history. Yet in the lonely, rugged barrenness of these mountains, it is often the small comforts from home that give me the strength to keep going.

Lukas Wörle

At 6.224 meters

In the summer of 2025, I celebrated a special achievement together with Slovenian mountaineer Aleš Česen. We traveled to the Karakorum in Pakistan, more precisely to the remote and rarely visited Shimshal Valley. In a previously unclimbed mountain range, we chose Cherireen Sar, which rises to 6,224 meters above sea level.

The ascent was long and demanding. Rain, snow, and loose rock made the route challenging. After many hours, Aleš and I finally reached the summit – and after a long period of planning, I was able to see my long-awaited goal with my own eyes.

The joy was immense, but so was the effort: the descent lasted well into the evening and required the highest level of concentration.

How Home Gave Me Strength

Experiences like these leave a lasting impression. After spending days in a barren high-altitude environment, you realize upon returning home just how precious the familiar things have become.

For me, it’s the small comforts that keep me motivated on such expeditions: a familiar snack, a piece of cheese at high camp. But above all, after a journey like this, home itself takes on a new value – I learn to truly appreciate what I have there.

In this way, every step taken far from home becomes a reminder of the value of the place I come from. With my expeditions, I want to show that great adventures may take place far away – but the strength for them often comes from the familiar surroundings right outside our own front door.