Skiing in Pakistan

I have just pulled the trigger on a 5 week trip to Pakistan this summer. I will be trekking with a friend in the North-Western Frontier Provinces around K2 base camp and climb a couple of easy 5000m to 6000m peaks. However, it also occurred to me that I might have a shot at a claim to (rather minute and possibly ephemeral) fame by skiing one of those (easy) glaciers.

The only question is: can I justify lugging around a pair of skis for a whole 4 weeks? Any ideas? Any experiences you'd like to share?

Bring your boards!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have fun. You'd regret not bringing your boards.

ski get 1st desents and have fun

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Franz Klammer

The only question is: can I justify lugging around a pair of skis for a whole 4 weeks?

---

Imagine how you'd feel if you didn't and found conditions / possibilities to be amazing. Bring them.

I should also clarify that "lugging them around for 4 weeks" means "carrying them (+tent+all other stuff) by foot for 4 weeks". Though I am guessing that I really should bring them ...

One word:

SKIBOARDS

Do it on BigFeet or SnowBlades!

pack some heat as well.....

If you're doing the Concordia trek from Skardu/Khapulu/Askolie northwards you'll encounter plenty of opportunities for skiiable terrain, especially as you approach Baltoro. Of course, there is the caveat that the glaciated terrain can be quite hazardous (of course, you probably already know this, and will have requisite gear since you'll be climbing). Access is not always so direct onto some of the glaciers, (depending on conditions, of course).

I personally have not skiied in the area, but really wish I could have had skis with me when I was there. Unfortunately, as I was travelling for almost a year, lugging skis along would have been ridiculous. I'd bring some shorty approach skis with bindings that you can attach to your mountaineering boots. This way the gear is reasonably lightweight and compact and doesn't get in the way, since travel can be very rugged, and require tossing one's pack/gear in tight places or amidst huge piles of luggage.

As for packing heat, well Baltistan should be relatively safe, though further west in the NWFP might be trickier, especially with current geopolitical trends. What would provide more safety than a weapon is making an effort to be culturally sensitive and interacting with the locals as much as you are able - they have a very strong code of conduct, that disallows them from molesting those they consider guests. Under certain circumstances, this code of conduct even extends to protection against others. Denizens of the NWFP are some of the coolest people I have ever met, anywhere.

Have a great time. These are the most amazing mountains in the world, bar none. You will never, ever forget your experience.

Tri-Ungulate,

Thanks for the info. Looks like I'll either bring my boards or buy some shorties. Can't wait to get out there!

Regarding what kind of shorties to consider, here's a thread that I found interesting:

http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=966

There is a tradeoff for portability vs. performance, but the Hagans described in the thread sound intriguing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Franz Klammer

I have just pulled the trigger on a 5 week trip to Pakistan this summer. I will be trekking with a friend in the North-Western Frontier Provinces around K2 base camp and climb a couple of easy 5000m to 6000m peaks. However, it also occurred to me that I might have a shot at a claim to (rather minute and possibly ephemeral) fame by skiing one of those (easy) glaciers.

The only question is: can I justify lugging around a pair of skis for a whole 4 weeks? Any ideas? Any experiences you'd like to share?

---

You gonna take those big old Fischers and wear your speed suit?

http://www.wecarelife.at/BildShow/0,2951,4196,00.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by irul&ublo

You gonna take those big old Fischers and wear your speed suit?

---

I was thinking about that. Those C4s really should get a taste of Pakistani snow.

http://multimedia.olympic.org/pic/klammer_gal_l_02.jpg

Shameless bump in the hope that I might get some more opinions on this.

http://www.rei.com/product/47833639.htm?

Not the highest performance for Biiiig Mouuuuntaiiin Riiiiiippin', but might be fun and easy to pack - and the price is right.

some necessary equipment for Pakistan......

http://shopping.netsuite.com/core/me...44f559c6568d3f

http://shopping.netsuite.com/core/me...dc6dc99efb57fd

http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c....t.A/id.2269/.f