PLEASURE TRAVEL

Hunza

2011-02-16T23:32:00.000-08:00

Hunza Karimabad Dome

Hunza Haramosh Peak

Hunza Rakaposhi

Hunza Shimshal Village

Hunza Shimshal Lake

Hunza Shimshal Village

Hunza Karimabad Village

Hunza Shimshal Village

Hunza Altit Fort

Hunza KarimAbad, Baltit Fort

Hunza Karim Abad Baltit Fort

The almost unclimbable Ultar Sar in Pakistan

2011-02-06T22:12:00.000-08:00

It’s been a while since weresearched mountains to climb – but our attention was drawn by one of ourreaders to Ultar Sar in Hunza, Pakistan. A beast of a mountain…

This mountain is #70 in the worldranking system, #31 in Pakistan. It stands at 7,388m and is surrounded byequally majestic siblings: Rakaposhi 7,788 m (25,551 ft), BojahagurDuanasir II (7,329 m), Ghenta Peak (7,090 m), Hunza Peak (6,270 m), DarmyaniPeak (6,090 m) and Bublimating (Ladyfinger Peak) (6,000 m).

The spectacular scenery of themountains makes Karimabad, the main town, a popular tourist attraction inPakistan and the Karakoram Highway (KKH) which connects China and Pakistanacross the Karakoram mountain range, through the Khunjerab Pass, at an altitudeof 4,730 metres, is by far the highest paved international border crossing inthe world and the highest paved international road in the world valpard.

Ultar Sar itself is thesoutheastern-most major peak of the Batura Muztagh, a subrange of the Karakoramrange. It lies about 10 km northeast of the Karimabad, a town on the KarakoramHighway in the Hunza Valley, part of the Gilgit District of the Northern Areasof Pakistan.

It is considered nearlyunconquerable and the locals believe that this is because there is a curse onthe mountain and that there is some evil that does not let you climb.

Ultar Sar rises dramatically abovethe surrounding terrain and is a visually striking peak.

That’s it there in the centre of themiddle foreground. A dramatic knife edge beckoning people on.

In the 1990′s it was claimed to bethe world’s highest unclimbed independent peak, but this was actually incorrectas Gangkhar Puensum in Bhutan is higher, and remains unclimbed and off-limits.However, this did not stop a number of exhibitions, 15 in all, accepting thechallenge. This is an unusually high amount for a Karakoram peak of this sizeand difficulty, but all of them were unsuccessful and several fatalitiesresulted.

But that doesn’t stop the aura ofmystique that surrounds Ultar Sar.

The SE Pillar of Ultar Sar (7,388m).

Despite the number of attempts UltarSar was not conquered until 1996 by Akito Yamazaki and Kiyoshi Matsuoka fromJapan. They climbed the peak from the southwest in alpine style, doing much ofthe climbing at night to avoid danger from falling rock and ice. They alsofixed 450m of ropes on the lower half of the ascent and used a few fixed ropesfrom previous expeditions higher up. Their ascent took 8 days and was more dueto the mountain’s technical difficulties than anything else. After theirsuccessful summit, they faced strong storms and bivouacked at 6,000m for 5nights with hardly any food or water. On return to the advanced basecamp on the16th day since leaving it Yamazaki experienced severe stomach pains whichworsened rapidly and he died before he could be evacuated by helicopter. It isthought he died of an internal disease due to the severe stress of climbing. Matsuokadied one year later on the nearby peak Bublimotin (Lady Finger). Yamazakiwas only 28 when he climbed Ultar, Matsuoka 24.

Bublimating or Ladyfinger Peak,

Amazingly, in the same year a secondJapanese team led by Ken Takahashi with four others; Masayuki Ando, RyushiHoshino, Wataru Saito, and Nobuo Tsutsumi successfully summited Ultar Sar fromthe south ridge. They fixed 4000m of rope from 5200m to 7300m. This wasKen Takahashi’s third attempt on the mountain after failed attempts in 1986 and1993.

And since then….. nothing. Ultar Sar has not been summitedsince. It remains a difficult and dangerous mountain to climb withsignificant avalanche risk.

The majority of attempts on themountain have been made from the south and west sides with the long south ridgebeing the most popular. Attempts have also been made from the north but havelargely been futile due to the significant danger of the route.

The SE Pillar or Hidden Pillar hasbeen attempted 3 times. The most recent time was Colin Haley and Jed Brown’sattempt in 2007 and it is Colin we have to thank for the above photograph.However, all attempts have been unsuccessful. It’s a challenging route at thebest of times. With the route proper up the SE Pillar more than 3,100 m tall,the crux appears to be the rock barrier around 7000m. However as nobody hasattempted the upper half of the route it’s impossible to know, but what isknown is that it makes the North Ridge of Latok 1 look small by comparison, andwhile not as technical it is still sustained real climbing — very little simpleslogging.

Bublimotin or Ladyfinger Peak

If you’re tempted to give it a goit’s worth knowing that the mountaineering season in this area of Pakistan runsfrom June to September with July and August being the most popular months toclimb. Outside of these months snow can be problematic at high altitude and…beware, bad weather can hit anytime of the year.

Northern Area's of Pakistan

2011-02-04T00:15:00.000-08:00

The Northern Areas of Pakistan lying under the great mountain ranges of Himalaya – Karakorum – Hindu Kush – Hindu Raj and Pamir, surrounded by high peaks of 6500 m to 8700 meters.

Gilgit the capital of Northern Areas has been inhabited for thousands of years, the different invaders, reached in the South, reached here. The animism of early inhabitants was over laid by fair worship, brought from in Iran.

From the 1st century Gilgit was like Kashgar, the trade center from all places as its now. From 4th century to 11th century AD, It was under Buddhism influence of Sogdiana dynasty, Kushans Hindu Shahis and later Islam introduce in this area. Gilgit situated at an important point, Central Asia-China.

Northern Area is connected with air and road with other cities of Pakistan including Islamabad the Capital. There are daily flights to Skardu and Gilgit, which is subject to weather. It’s linked with Karakorum highway through the Indus valley. Gilgit is situated at a distance of 620 kilometers from Islamabad.

Northern Areas is the fairy land, which covers thousands of square kilometers if high snow capped mountain, surrounded by lush green valley’s rivers, Glaciers - High meadows – high passes – Pine Forest, Juniper trees, cultivated fields, Fruit orchards, which offer Spectacular panoramic view of natural disaster. Northern Area is a tourist paradise for Trekkers, Climbers –Skiers –Jeep Safaris-Rock Climbing –White Water Rafting-Cultural Tours, Silk Route Travelers …

Hunza Pleasant Scene

2011-02-03T02:41:00.000-08:00

Karim Abad Hunza

Nice View form Baltit Fort

Snow Fall in Spring Season

Hasegawa Memorial Public School, Karim Abad Hunza

Rakaposhi form Karim Abad Hunza

Pleasant View form Eagle Nest Hotel Altit Hunza

Altti Fort Hunza

Nice View From Altit Hunza

Nice View of Rakaposhi

Lonely Road Karim Abad Hunza

Ancient Vessels of Hunza

2011-02-02T09:52:00.000-08:00

Karim Abad Hunza

2011-01-30T22:51:00.000-08:00

Ultar Peak from Karimabad

Nice Hunza Valley

Karim Abad View

Nice View of Karimabad

Karim Abad Hunza

Hunza River

Karim Abad Hunza

Altit Valley

Diran Peak View

Nice View of Karimabad

Rakaposhi Peak

2011-01-29T06:12:00.000-08:00

Rakaposhi Nice View form Karimabad

Rakaposhi Nice View

Rakaposhi from Brongshal Karimabad

Rakaposhi from Diramishal Hunza

Rakaposhi Nice View

Rakaposhi from Brongshal Karimabad

Rakaposhi from Baltit Fort

KARIM ABAD HUNZA

2011-01-28T04:25:00.000-08:00

Rakaposhi Peek View form Karim Abad

Golden Peek View form Karim Abad

Darbar Hotel Karim Abad

Altit Valley form Karim Abad

Altit Fort View form Karim Abad

Rakaposhi Peek View form Karim Abad

Karim Abad Hunza

Ulter Peek View form Karim Abad

Karim Abad Hunza

Karim Abad View form Baltit Fort

Karim Abad Hunza

2011-01-26T20:39:00.000-08:00

Karimabad Nice View

View from Asatana

Nice View form Astana

Rakaposhi form Astana

Baltit Fort from Astana

Diran peek View from Astana

Hasegawa Memorial Public School, Karimabad Hunza

Darbar Hotel View form Astana

Astana Jamat Khana

Flowers of Hunza ( Hunzo wa Asqurin )

2011-01-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

HUNZA PAKISTAN

2011-01-24T22:55:00.000-08:00

Hunza is truly a supernatural place that moves the psyche.. In times of turmoil around the world I found beauty, solitude and harmony in Hunza. The view is surprising in Karimabad Hunza and beyond towards Khunjrab Top.

Based in the heart of Hunza, there is an indigenous tour operating organizations specialized in culture and adventure tours to the superior mountains and perfect valleys of Northern Areas. As the name is self-indicative, we belong to the fabulous Hunza Valley. With traditional hospitality of Hunzokuts and an innovative spirit of exploring new destinations, we offer an insight to the people and land with a profound receptivity of their values. Therefore, we do every possible effort to protect the unpolluted nature and society of these mountains.

Hunza is probably Pakistan's most visited valley on the face of earth, by the tourists. It is a fairy legend land surrounded by beautiful rocky & snow capped mountains. Only at a distance of 100 Kms. from Gilgit. Hunza is a small town on Karakorum Highway. At the altitude of 7000 - 800 feet it is the first main town or spot if you are entering Pakistan from China.

Nice View of Diran Peek from Karim Abad Hunza

Diran Peek

Baltit Fort Karim Abad Hunza

Karim Abad Hunza

Rakaposhi form Karimabad Hunza

Wonderful View of Karim Abad

Diran Peek

Golden Peak form Karim Abad

Backside of Baltit Fort Karim Abad

Baltit Fort Karim Abad Hunza

Raskaposhi View

Hunza during 1930's