Trekking Experience
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Northern Areas of Pakistan are called Bam-i-Dunya. As graphic in names they are foreboding in majesty, the Himalaya translate as “the abode of the snows”, The Karakoram, the “black gravel mountains”, and the Hindu Kush, “the Paariyaatra Parvat”. Adventurous trekkers from all over the world congregate here to trek for pleasure and to test their personal endurance.The word trek has a history and different meanings. Walking in jungle or even along the road is also a trekking of its kind. For the purpose of this article, let us assume that trekking means walking up the mountains. Depending on the altitude, treks fall in various categories from easy to hard. Any trekker who knows it dreams to tread on unique mountain mass in Pakistan. In addition, some mountaineers also come here to train and acclimatize for more serious climbs, rock repelling and other forms of mountain exploration. Here is why.
Nowhere in the world is such a great concentration of high mountains, peaks, glaciers, and passes except in Pakistan. Of the 14 over 8,000 meters high peaks on our earth planet, four occupy an amphitheatre at the head of Baltoro Glacier in the Karakoram Range: K-2 (8,611 meters, originally called Chogo-ri which in Balti language means ‘king of the mountains,’ of all the world’s mountains second only to Mount Everest), Gasherbrum-I (8,068 meters), Broad Peak (8,047 meters) and Gasherbrum-II (8,035 meters). There is yet another, which is equally great, Nanga Parbat (8,126 meters), located at the western most corner of the Himalayas. In addition to that, there are 68 peaks over 7,000 meters and hundreds others over 6,000 meters. The Northern Pakistan is also home to some of the longest glaciers outside Polar region; Siachen (72 kilometers), Hispar (61 kilometers), Biafo (60 kilometers), Baltoro (60 kilometers) and Batura (64 kilometers). Two more ranges, by unique comparison minor in size, thrust their sinews and limbs into the Pamir Knot: the Pir Panjal with its peaks of just over 20,000 feet, and China’s celestial mountain, the Kun Lun. Where these ranges merge, they form what many regard as the most impressive landscape that sometime recalls Shangri-La. This concentration makes northern Pakistan a trekkers’ paradise.
Trekkers from all corners of the world are interested to have trekking experience in northern Pakistan. There are some common concerns though: Lack of information. Though there are numerous options, yet choosing an operator in Pakistan is easier said than done. What to talk of cross country trekking, deficient infrastructure and backup logistic support along major routes is another let down for trekkers. Take off from the road heads and trekkers are at their own; only with what they carry along. Unexpected delay in sorting out the preliminaries and unpredictable weather are some more problems.
Trekking is not like a morning walk. However reasonable hill walking looks to a person seated inform of a computer screen, they take on a different hue when the same person is rambling along the trek. It is thrilling but can be daunting sometime as well. So come prepared. Bring along a strong body and an open mind, be ready to accept with gratitude the diversity, and revere and protect the natural environment, which sustains life in mountains.
What are your plans this summer?
Orignal Source: Treking Experience
