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?
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Thread: Skiing in Pakistan
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03-06-2005, 11:18 PM #1
Olympic Hero
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Skiing in Pakistan
Last edited by Franz Klammer; 03-06-2005 at 11:30 PM.
Ein Berg ohne Absturzgefahr ist nur noch Attrappe. (Reinhold Messner)
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03-06-2005, 11:21 PM #2
Hiding in AK
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Bring your boards!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have fun. You'd regret not bringing your boards.
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03-07-2005, 12:05 AM #3
In van, down by the river
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ski get 1st desents and have fun
Its not that I suck at spelling, its that I just don't care
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03-07-2005, 12:38 AM #4
Has been.
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Imagine how you'd feel if you didn't and found conditions / possibilities to be amazing. Bring them.
Originally Posted by Franz Klammer
self unemployed?
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03-07-2005, 12:42 AM #5
Olympic Hero
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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 ...
Ein Berg ohne Absturzgefahr ist nur noch Attrappe. (Reinhold Messner)
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03-07-2005, 07:33 AM #6
king of lame screen names
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One word:
SKIBOARDS
Do it on BigFeet or SnowBlades!
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03-07-2005, 10:02 AM #7
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pack some heat as well.....
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03-07-2005, 11:07 AM #8
poseur extraordinaire
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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.
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03-07-2005, 05:22 PM #9
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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!Ein Berg ohne Absturzgefahr ist nur noch Attrappe. (Reinhold Messner)
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03-07-2005, 06:37 PM #10
poseur extraordinaire
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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.
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03-07-2005, 07:02 PM #11
"The Harmonizer"
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You gonna take those big old Fischers and wear your speed suit? Originally Posted by Franz Klammer
Quando paramucho mi amore de felice carathon.
Mundo paparazzi mi amore cicce verdi parasol.
Questo abrigado tantamucho que canite carousel.
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03-07-2005, 07:12 PM #12
Olympic Hero
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I was thinking about that. Those C4s really should get a taste of Pakistani snow. Originally Posted by irul&ublo
Ein Berg ohne Absturzgefahr ist nur noch Attrappe. (Reinhold Messner)
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03-09-2005, 12:19 AM #13
Olympic Hero
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Shameless bump in the hope that I might get some more opinions on this.
Ein Berg ohne Absturzgefahr ist nur noch Attrappe. (Reinhold Messner)
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03-09-2005, 12:08 PM #14
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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.
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03-09-2005, 02:27 PM #15
Sponsor Yourself
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some necessary equipment for Pakistan......
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c....t.A/id.2269/.f
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