Meet Pakistan's First Female Mountain Guides

Mountaineering is a serious hobby, replete with dangers on each step one takes on the steep mountain slopes. A wrong step may cost one's life. Every year a lot of mountaineers come to Pakistan and wander around in the wilderness of Karakoram, home to four of the fourteen Eight Thousanders including the K-2, the second highest mountain top after the Everest.

And it is the sturdy mountain guides of the area that take the mountaineers from the wilderness to tracks leading to these lofty and revered mountain peaks they had dreamed of scaling. The valleys which lead to the mountains trouble overlooking the valleys are home to countless mountain guides, who know every inch of the area and can lead expeditions without much trouble and never wandering off the right tracks.

Shimshal Pass [Photo Mobeen Mazhar]

Shimshal Valley is one of the most favoured valley for the mountaineers for it provides easy access to many a mountain peaks of Karakoram. And most of the mountain guides can be found in the Shimshal village. In one of my earlier posts I wrote about the Shimshal Pass that takes it go from Shimshal village. The village is part of the Gojal Tehsil of Hunza District, in the Gilgit–Baltistan province of Pakistan. At 3,100 m above sea level, it is the highest settlement in Hunza Valley. The village is closest to China. As are typical helmets of high altitude, it has just over 200 houses with a population of approximately two thousand.

Mountain peaks overlooking Shimshal village include Distaghil Sar (7,885 m), Shimshal White Horn (6,303 m) Minglik Sar (6,150 m), Lupghar Sar (7,200 m), Yazghail Sar (6,000 m), Kunjut Sar and others are well known among mountaineers. Shimshal Lake sits at the base of the mountain near the Shimshal Pass (4,735 m). Due to closeness to these mountains, more than twenty well known mountaineers hail from this valley that have made Pakistan proud in the field of tourism. Some people call it " The Valley of Mountaineers". Rajab Shah and Mehrban Shah have received Presidential Award for Pride of Performance in recognition of their extra ordinary achievement in the field of tourism and mountaineering.

But wait a minute, where are the girls that I was supposed to talk about, for so far I have only been talking of male mountain guides and mountaineers of the area. Well that was just the introduction to the subject I am going to introduce. 

Qudrat Ali briefing the potential female mountain guides before the tougher tracks ahead

So here comes in  Qudrat Ali, one of Pakistan's best-known climbers, who thought that the girls of the area were equally sturdy, strong, motivated and ambitious as men to be in the mountains and could be good mountain guides. With this noble and ambitious plan, he has opened a small Mountaineering School where he is training the female mountain guides for the first time. 

The girls in full gear to scale their first test peak

I came across a video which is about three daring females from Shimshal Valley, Banu, Samreen and Zubaida, who decided to take the demanding course, hoping to make a good living for their families as fully qualified mountain guides. The video says it all about the efforts of Qudrat Ali in motivating females of his area and taking them to mountains the girls have never gone before. With these three becoming the first mountain guides, the complexion of mountain guidance may now change with girls sharing the role of guides, which has been the men's domain hitherto fore.

Watch the amazing video below prepared by the German TV Channel DW about the females of Shimshal Valley of Gilgit Baltistan learning to climb with their sights set for adventures even higher:

The video is both refreshing, motivating and a cue for other girls to come forward and join men in helping mountaineers finding their way up to mountain tops. May be female from other areas may too join in and attend Qudrat Ali's school and too become beacon for others.

Photo: Courtesy DW | References | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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Pakistan - Your Travel Destination in 2019: Part VI - Gilgit Baltistan

Pakistan is a country which has everything a tourist may want: landscape, warm hearted people, hospitality and lot to see. You may travel by road to your travel destinations or take regular flights closer to your start point and then use sturdy and rugged jeeps that can withstand the rigours of mountain tracks under their wheels.

I have written many posts on the northern areas of Pakistan, the Karakoram Mountains and a series of posts on the Hindu Kush Mountain in my Mar Loosemore series of posts. No matter which travel destination you choose, you will be awe inspired and take back a nostalgia that will stay with you for the rest of your lives.

Gilgit Baltistan in the northern areas of Pakistan is a region of immense travel importance and countless travel destinations. From ordinary tourists to trekkers and mountaineers, the area presents innumerable destinations and sights that one may have never seen before. The Karakoram Highway is the heart line to all these travel destinations, astride which one comes across Gilgit city, some call it Chinatown of Pakistan, Hunza known for its freshness, a secret behind longevity of its people, the Passu Cones, and finally the Khunjrab border post between China and Pakistan. En route one comes across spectacular view of the Rakaposhi Mountain and junction point of three mighty mountain ranges: The Himalaya, the Hindukush and the Karakorum.

And if you have a flare for fishing you can fish Trout right from the ice cold waters of streams running close to tracks and roads.

And before I forget to mention, Pakistan has five of the fourteen eight thousnaders, mountain peaks towering more than 8,000 meters, including the mighty K2, second to Mt Everest.

You may surf my blog and find many posts on the beauty of travel destinations in the northern areas and Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. But for now, see this beautiful video about tourists' remarks and their views on the travel destinations in Pakistan:

Whenever are you visiting Pakistan next?

Photo (Ladyfinger Mountain) | References | 1 | 2 |

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Fascinating Pakistan - The Eight Thousanders

Pakistan is one of those blessed countries which has enormous tourist attractions right from its 1200 long coast, mostly virgin, along the Arabian Sea, vast stretches of deserts, fertile lush green plains and snow clad mountain peaks dominating its north.

While the entire country is worth visiting and touring, it is a mountaineers haven as its has 108 peaks over 7,000 metres and as many over 6,000 metres, while there is no count for peaks over 5,000 and 4,000 meters. Most of the highest peaks in Pakistan lie in Karakoram Range (which lies almost entirely in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, and is considered to be a part of the greater Himalayan range) but some peaks above 7,000 m are included in the Himalayan and Hindu Kush ranges.

In fact Pakistan is the meeting point of three great mountain ranges, the Himalaya, the Karakorum and the Hindu Kush. And it is here in these mountain ranges lie five out of the fourteen eight thousanders (peaks over 8,000 meters) in the world. Of these five, four lie the Karakorum in the surroundings of Concordia; the confluence of Baltoro Glacier and Godwin Austen Glacier, while one is located in the Himalaya.

Herein under is the list of all the five eight thousanders located in Pakistan.

• K-2 also known as the Chogori, Mt. Godwin Austen that reaches up to a height of 8,611 m and is the second highest peak of the world after the Mt Everest.
• The Nanga Parbat (meaning the Naked Mountain) is 8,126 m high and is one of the deadliest of the eight-thousanders. This Himalayan peak ranks 5th in the 14 eight thousanders of the world. The summit is shaped like a reclining women, as remarked by some imaginative mountain and beauty lover. If flying to Skardu, one can see the Nanga from the right window of the aircraft. One can feel the grandeur of the height when flying almost to the level of its peak. Due to its difficulty in climbing, many mountaineers have lost their lives, that is why it is also known as the Killer Mountain.
• Gasherbrum I (also known as Hidden Peak or K5) is the 11th highest peak on Earth, located on the Pakistan-China border in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Gasherbrum I is part of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakorum region of the Himalaya.
• Part of the Gasherbrum massif, the Broad Peak in the Karakorum Range is 8,051 m high and is the 12th of the eight-thousanders in the world. Broad Peak is known locally as Faichan Kangri and was originally referred to as K3. The summit is over 1.5 km long, from which it gets in name as the Broad Peak.
• Gasherbrum II (also known as K4) is the 13th highest mountain on Earth, located in the Gilgit Baltistan province, Pakistan near the border to China at a height of 8,035 m (26,362 ft). Gasherbrum II is the third highest peak of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakorum Range of the Himalaya.

I have already written about Nanga Parbat in one of my earlier posts on Fascinating Pakistan series. And would write about other four in my next posts.
Photo Credits: K2 Mobeen Mazhar  | Karakorum Peaks: Abbas Shah

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Mary Loosemore's Photo Travelogue: The Fairyland of Kafir Kalash

In my previous post based on the photo travelogue of Mary Loosemore, I covered the journey of the 11-member Hindu Kush adventure group, that also included Mary Loosemore, from Peshawar, Pakistan to Dir and Ayun through the Lowari Pass. Today I will cover the group's adventure, as photographed by Mary, into the fascinating world of the Kalash Fairyland - the Kalash Valley.

A Kalash woman dressed in traditional black robe ornamented with multicoloured beads and headdress

Kalash Valley consists of three sub valleys as shown in the map below. The Mary Loosemore's group selected the Rumbur Valley to explore the hidden world of the Kalash people. On 4 October 2006, they reached Balanguru for a night stay with the Kalasha.


From south of Chitral, a track turns to the left from village of Ayun on Kunar river to the Kalash Valley, where these strange yet attractive people live in three main villages and surrounding areas of Rukmu, Mumret and Biriu (called Rambur, Bumburet and Birir in local Kalasha language).

Map showing the route to three Kalash Valleys from Ayun

Bumburet is the largest and the most picturesque valley of the Kafirs, is 40 kilometres from Chitral and is connected by a jeepable road. Birir and Rambur are located at a distance of 34 and 32 kilometres respectively from Chitral. The present population of the Kafir Kalash is approximately 6,000. 

Road to Rumbur Valley - Photo: verdanega / Panoramio

The villages are situated on the southern face of the hillside about 50-100 meters above the river. This protects them from floods in summer, and at the same time helps to get sunshine during the winter. The snow that lies on the bottom of the ravine and in the shade do not melt until spring. 

A typical Kalasha village on the mountain terraces in the Rumbur Valley

In summer to avoid the sun, some people live in a second house built on the opposite side of the river. The Kalash Valleys have extensive forests of Holly-Oak and Himalayan cedar. Walnut, Apricot, Apple, Pear and Mulberry trees abound near the villages.

Pakistan flag flutters near a house in the Balanguru village - Rumbur Kalash Valley

An almost three days stay in the Rumbur Valley, moving from one village to another, provided Mar's group a deep insight to the life, culture, traditions and lifestyle of the Kalash people. Following are the photos taken in the Balanguru village of the Rumbur valley.

A Kakasha child with shinning green eyes - typical of Kalash

 

 A Kalash women laughs as 'strange men' crack jokes

 Benedict, one of the group member, shows photographs taken of the Kalash children on his camera

 Lunch at Saifiullah Jan's new house, the local host at Balanguru village

 Kalash children en route to their school

 A walk through Balanguru village

  Kalash girls en route to their school 

 Mary had her hair plaited the Kalasha style by small Kalash girl

 A Kalasha family

 Kalash girl hand weaving for tying the hair

 Style girl at Balanguru

 Kalasha girls group photo

Those who visit the Kalash Valley in early summers, they can attend Kalash festivals held in the early summers. The two main important festivals are Joshi and Utchal. In the late summers and winters, two more festivals Phool (20th-25th September) and Chowas (18th to 21st December) can be attended, though the latter is very difficult to attend owing to losure of the Lowari Pass. However, if one can make it to Chitral by air, then from Chitral to Kalash Valley by local jeeps is possible.

Joshi or Chilimjusht: This festival is held from 14th to 15th May to mark spring when girls pick the first flowers of the season. Traditional dancing, visiting each other, exchanging flowers, milk and milk products are its features. 

Utchal: This colorful event is celebrated in mid-July to mark the harvest of wheat and barley. The two- day celebrations feature dances, singing and hosting feasts.

 Pre-dinner cricket match: Hindu Kush XI vs Kalash XI!! [above/below]

Dinner being prepared at Balanguru village rest house

A hearty dinner and smiles

Balanguru village as seen from Safiullah Jan's guest house

After Balanguru, the group visited the village of Shakanande. The following photographs were taken during their visit to Shakanande:

Mary Loosemore at the top of the tree line, passing over the coll between Shakanande valley and the Rumbur valley

 Shakanande Village, Rumbur Valley

 Mary crossing a stream in the Shakanande village

A boy entering the house through a carved door - specialty of the area

The last village the group visited was that of Palaga. Here in under are some of the photos taken at Palaga Kalash village:

 Daughter of the host

 Annie and Amanda during a hike near Palaga village - eating locally grown grapes

 Dinner being prepared at Palaga

  Mary, Annie and Amanda - Dinner is over

 The group en mass at camp fire night [ Saifullah, Mary, Annie, Amanda, Rob, Annie, Benedict, Thelma ]

 Hikers resting for a quick snap

 View from the Palaga rest house

Relaxing at charpoys - native beds with four legs at Palaga

 Kalash family 

Grandmother with her niece

After a three days long stay in the Kalash Valley, the Hindu Kush adventure group moved to Chitral for a day's stop, before resuming their journey onward in the Hindu Kush range to Gilgit, through the Shandur Pass. My next posts will cover the stop over to Chitral and travel to Gilgit.

Read more about Kalash and their festivals:

Kalash Valley - Where Fairies dance and sing (Pakistanpaedia)

Kalash Spring Festivals (Pakistanpaedia)

All photos above, except where specifically mentioned, are owned by Mary Loosemore, as shared on Flickr.

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A memorable Trek to Concordia - the Gateway to Four Eight Thousanders of the World including K2

K-2, the second highest mountain after Everest and the highest mountain of the Karakoram range located in Pakistan, was first surveyed in 1856 by a European survey team headed by Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen and was named as Mt Godwin Austen. Later a British officer T.G. Montgomery designated it K2 for the second peak in the Karakoram Range. It was first scaled in 1954 by an Italian expedition.

Due to its difficult slopes, K-2, 8611 M, is far more difficult to scale than the Everest. It is for this reason K-2 is also known as the killer mountain as many mountaineers have lost their lives in attempting K-2.

While professional mountaineers begin their upward journey from the base camp of K-2, located about three hours hike from Concordia - a place on the confluence of the Baltoro Glacier and the Godwin-Austen Glacier, in the heart of the Karakoram range of Pakistan, trekkers normally stop at Concordia from where the massive pyramid of K-2 is fully visible, cherish the memories of the place and come back. Concordia also provides an access to four Eight Thousanders located in Pakistan.

Dr Shahid resting on the famous Baltoro Glacier

Every year, many trekkers both from Pakistan and abroad trek to Concordia and on their way back use the Vigne Glacier - Ali camp -  Gondogoro la approach. This post is about one such trekking expedition to Concordia by group of young Pakistani trekkers that include my Flickr Friends Dr Shahid And Asif Saeed (whose many adventures I have already shared at Jaho Jalal).

Dr Shahid, besides being a doctor is an avid trekker and photographer. He hails Burewala, a city in the Vehari district of Southern Punjab province of Pakistan. His passion for mountains and trekking takes him from otherwise generally hot plains of Punjab to freezing colds and snow capped mountains and glaciers of mountain ranges in the northern Pakistan.

This post of mine today is about the trekking expedition of Dr Shahid and his friends including Asif Saeed, to Concordia - a place where one is so close to the nature and next to K-2. The expedition was undertaken in July 2012 and the the photographs below, taken by Dr Shahid are chronologically arranged from the begging to the end of the expedition to Concordia and beyond. I have used a few of his large collection of photos from Flickr and added a running commentary about the places that came en route. 

Since there are approximately fifty photographs, it may time for slow internet connections to open immediately. Therefore such users may scroll down slowly to enjoy the run down.

The group of young trekkers gets together at Rawalpindi Pir Wadhai bus stand to embark upon a journey that would take them through some of the most beautiful, awe inspiring and treacherous treks to Concordia - the famous base camp from experienced mountaineers commence another difficult journey to scale the unscalable K-2.

Here seen standing at the Rawalpindi Pir Wadhai bus stop is Dr Shahid to begin his trekking expedition to Concordia and Gondogoro la.

Once when one embarks upon trekking, then many stars hotels are replaced by roadside driver hotels. But the food served here is so delicious that one remembers the taste for a long time. This shot was taken at one such at Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Dr Shahid has a cup of tea, made of Doodh Patti (that is Doodh - Milk and Patti - Tea Leaves and lot of sugar with no water). When this tea is made on burning wood, its aroma gets mixed into the tea and enhances its taste manifold - a cup of tea that has no parallel in the world.

Road to Shigar - the home of K2

The bus travel from Islamabad is almost 24 hours long journey and the NATCO buses take the trekkers to Skardu - the last point where buses can reach. From here on, jeeps are hired till the village of Askole, which is the last road head. Thereafter its trekking - hard trekking to Concordia.

On the way, one passes through the small town of Shigar and the Shigar River, Braldu River, carrying gushing waters of the Biafo and the Baltoro Glaciers of the Karakoram through Sakora Pass.

Shigar River

Braldu River and the Karakorams

Sakora Pass

Reaching Askole from Skardu can sometimes be hazardous and challenging as rains may cause streams to swell making it difficult for jeeps to negotiate. 

Jeep-able track to Askole

In that case one has to disembark from the jeeps and walk up to Askole - feeling the post Askole village trek before hand.

Askole Camping Site

Dr at the Askole Camping Site, getting ready to kick off the trekking expedition to Concordia

Askole Village is the gateway to Karakoram Mountain Range and its many glaciers, specially the Baltoro Glacier. Askole, located about 96 kilometers from Skardu, is Pakistan's highest, 3050 metres, and most remote village, the last human settlement before trek up to Baltoro Glacier to Concordia and highest peak and longest glaciers (outside polar region) on earth. 

Askole village is the starting point of the trek to Baltoro Glacier, Biafo Glacier, Chogtai Glacier. The Climbing and trekking expedition stay here for a night and arrange porters. Askole village is gateway to K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrums,Muztagh Towers, Uli Biaho Tower, Paiyu Peak, Baintha Brakk and Latok Peaks, and many more. Camp site is available at Askole village.

Expeditions to the following peaks are launched from Askole:

• K2, 2nd highest of the world at 8611m
• Gasherbrum I, 11th highest of the world at 8,080m.
• Broad Peak, 12th highest of the world at 8,047m.
• Gasherbrum II, 13th highest of the world at 8,035m.
• Gasherbrum III, 7,946m. (Often regarded as a subpeak of Gasherbrum II.)
• Gasherbrum IV, 17th highest of the world at 7,932m.
• Masherbrum (K1), 22nd highest of the world at 7,821m.
• Chogolisa, 36th highest of the world at 7,665m.
• Muztagh Tower, 7,273m.
• Snow Dome, 7,160m.
• Biarchedi, 6,781m
• Trango Towers, 6,363m, the highest cliffs of the world.
• Mitre Peak, 6,010m.

The trek to Concordia starts just after the Askole village- from now on the trekkers are on their feet

Rivers of Biafo and Baltoro Glaciers - Braldu River

Teste: The last village on trek to K-2

Teste after Askole is the last inhabited place one would come across. From hereon it is all wilderness, dusty tracks with distant mountains with their snow clad tops watching the trekkers as they move on. These dust tracks have supported thousands of trekkers and mountaineers going up to and beyond Concordia for the ultimate objective of scaling K-2.

Korophone Campsite

After Teste, the trekker and mountaineers have to rely on a number of campsites that come en route with scanty facilities. Therefore one has to be well stocked and extra luggage carried by porters on men and donkeys. Without these porters and donkeys, no trekking or mountaineering expedition is possible. The porters, the men of the soil are sturdy, strong and simple people who support the expeditions for a very paltry amount, barely sufficient the reward of their portering facilities and the support to expeditions.

The wilderness of the Baltoro trek

Crossing over Jhula - the hanging bridge

The Jhula Campsite (above and below)

The trekking gets difficult at points and one mus keep one's balance firmly over dusty track with jagged rocks

The magnificent view of the Lady Finger mountain peak

Paiju Campsite

The trek from Jhula Campsite continues along the Braldu River to Paiju Campsite located at 3,480 M, a green Oasis under the shadows of Paiju Peak 6,611 M.

From top to bottom: The Karakoram, Ulli Bhaio and the Paiju Peaks

The Heart Lake

The Heart Lake is a beautiful heart shaped lake. Although in the photographs, taken from a height it looks small, but if you compare the porters sitting on the left bank, one can guess how big is the lake.

Resting on the Baltoro Glacier

This is not Mars - but the Baltoro wilderness and desert

Khurbutse camp site 12,870 feet): Making Pakoray, resting and charging batteries through solar panels

Porters and their donkeys - the lifeline of trekkers and mountaineering expeditions

Sunset (above) and sunrise (below) over Paiju Peak

Lilligo peak

The name Lilligo may sound absurd and rather meaningless. But there is a local story that supports the name. Whether the story is true or otherwise, but it gives some'insight' into on possible explanation - and may be convincing.

The local story is that an expedition was heading to Concordia when one of their members, Lilli, fot altitude sickness and could not go on. She decided to head back with a porter and at this spot lost her balance and fell into a crevasse. The porter ran back to the expedition and in his limited english said "Lilli go" to tell them she had fallen off, and from then on that spot is called Lilligo. I am not sure if this is true but it causes endless laughter among the porters when it is told (the story is quoted by Ashiq Iqbal).

The Broad Peak -  12th highest of the world at 8,047m and the Five Eight Thousanders of Pakistan

The massive Trango Tower

Urdokas Campsite

From Khurbutse, the next campsite is Urdokas, passing through crevasses and Lilligo Peak. The camp is located at 4,130 M.

Pakoray at Urdokas campsite

Baltoro Glacier as seen from Urdokas

First site of Masherbrum

Masherbrum (also known as K1) is located in the Gilgit Baltistan of Pakistan. At 7,821 metres (25,659 ft) it is the 22nd highest mountain in the world and the 9th highest in Pakistan. It was the first scaled and mapped peak in the Karakoram mountain range, hence its name.

The meaning of the name "Masherbrum" is not entirely clear. It may come from mashadar (muzzle-loading gun) plus brum (mountain), from the resemblance of the double summit to an old muzzle-loader. It may also come from masha (queen or lady), giving "queen of peaks." Other meanings have also been suggested.

The massive Masherbrum Peak

Baltoro Glacier with Gasherbrum IV and the Broad Peak in the back ground

Cerac on Baltoro Glacier

Biango Glacier - the old route to China

Baltoro Glacier with Masherbrum in the background

Climbing the Baltoro Glacier

Goro II Campsite

Baltoro Glacier takes the trekkers to the last campsite of Goro at an altitude of 4,500M, before reaching Concordia. En route, one comes across the Yermanandu Glacier which flows down from Masherbrum and joins the Baltoro. Besides one has magnificent views of Muztagh, Mitre and Gasherbrum IV.

Goro Campsite: Resting, praying Jumma prayers and washing

After Goro, there are no campsites, but one comes across Pakistan Army posts. The army personnel re extremely hospitable to trekkers and expeditions and offer whatever they can. One may rest for a while on 'sofas' made of empty jerrycans with cushions placed over.

Massive Karakoram and the Baltoro Glacier

Nearing Concordia

Pakistan Army post

Pol-e-Siraat: Glacier crossing over bamboos

From Goro campsite, there is a long walk on the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia - junction of three glaciers: Baltoro, Abruzzi & Godwin Austin Glaciers. Concordia is located at an altitude of 4720 M. While approaching Concordia, one gets to see the first glimpse of massive K-2 pyramid like peak appearing from behind the mountains.

The first glimpse of K-2: What a sight and what a relief for the trekkers, trekking almost 13-14 days now

Finally Concordia - the base camp of K-2

Concordia - from now on only experienced  mountaineers dare to go forward and scale K-2

A room with a view: K-2 as seen from inside the tent

Keeping Concordia clean (above) - Dr Shahid bandaging an injured porter (below)

Kangri summits. India and Siachin glacier on the other sides of these mountains

Full view of K-2 from Concordia

Posing with K-2

Dr Shahid posing with two K-2s: The real K-2 in the background, and pack of K-2 Cigarettes in his hand

A dream fulfilled: The trekking that started almost two weeks earlier reaches its logical conclusion: Concordia and K-2 what a day in one's life

From Concordia, another 4-5 hours trek leads to the base of the K-2. Form here on, it is another world for mountaineers to scale K-2. While for the trekkers, one has two options: Walk back on the same footsteps one came or choose another trek through Vigne glacier and reach Ali Camp. Choosing the Vigne glacier is normally the preferred option as it is fairly easy then walking on the stony trek one came on. 

Vigne Glacier crossing to Ali Camp at 5,000M

From Ali Camp, one has to cross the  Gondogoro la to reach Khuspang. From here,  one goes to Dalsangpa. The trek from here goes along the path down hill to the summer settlement called Shaicho, a large shepherds settlement. This would be a welcome relief as coming back to pepole and facilities like a a hotel and mountaineering equipment shop. 

Shaicho is located among forests of juniper, cedar and willow trees with giant bushes of wild roses. From Shaicho,  the trek along Hushey River takes trekkers to Hushey village whre one finally listens to the roars of jeeps and engines once again, last heard at Askole, that take the trekkers back to Skardu.

Thus the trek to Concordia comes to an end - a lifetime dream comes true and everyone goes back to life with lot of stories and memories to share with others. And also cherish the meories for the rest of one's life of a memorable trek.

Reference: 

Photos of Concordia Trekking Expedition Courtesy Dr Shahid / Flickr

Wikipedia | Askole | Masherbrum |

Yo may also read my earlier posts on K2 and other mountain peaks of Pakistan in my blog JahoJalal

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