Government avalanche warning. After the 2004-05 winter, following the heaviest snowfall in Pakistan for over 40 years, Pakistan’s Meteorological Department issued a warning to climbers and trekkers planning to visit the Karakoram and Hindu Kush during the summer. The authorities warned parties of serious avalanche danger on the high peaks in early season. During winter and spring more than 800 military personnel and civilians in higher villages were reported killed in avalanches, though the true death toll was probably more than twice that. Greg Mortenson of the Central Asia Institute, who has made nearly 30 visits to the region since 1993, reported more snow than he had ever seen.