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Swaledale Outdoor Club |
| > Home > Newsletter > Cycling > Karakoram Highway |
Karakoram HighwayFrancis decided that it would be a good idea to go for a cycling holiday in Pakistan for her birthday. She invited Liz and myself, to join her on a C.T.C. tour. Peter Crofts, the leader had already undertaken this trip before in 1991 and 1998 along the route of the Karakoram Highway. Liz backed out having suffered with a sore shoulder for most of the early part of the year, so that left Francis and me to meet up with the 13 other members of the party on a B.A. flight to Islamabad, the Capital of Pakistan. We started cycling from Murree to the Daisy Dot Hotel on September 6th, and over the next three weeks were to cycle up to the Chinese Border at Khunjerab Pass ( 4075 metres ), and back to Islamabad. We had two local guides who drove a backup vehicle, which along with carrying our luggage also had supplies of water. Most of the route was reasonably surfaced and all gradients well graded, the weather was very warm to hot, with brilliant sunshine most of the time. Accommodation proved agreeable, give or take the odd furry visitor. The food couldn’t really be faulted, unless you are vegetarian, because 6 eggs a day is not very moving after three weeks. The region called Kohistan, proved to be quite memorable from the point of , stone throwing kids and a lack of females in the bazzars. In Gilgit town I met up with a Richmond lad called Kevin, who is presently doing a stint of voluntary work, teaching teachers english. He was looking forward to my arrival with supplies of oxo’s and things. He’s now in love with Kelly another voluntary worker, but that’s too long a story for these few lines. The temptation to drink too much alcohol before a hard days cycling doesn’t present itself too often in a Muslim country. Although when it does with 12% beer from China, and not to mention Chinese Brandy, you are soon wishing it hadn’t. The scenery is stunning, the Karakorams being an extension of the Himalayas, the people are on the whole very friendly towards men, and mixed attitude to women travellers depending upon which region you are in. We had four rest days, with vehicular excursions, to forts, Glaciers and hidden valleys all of which added to the experience. See the tour in pictures at the clubhouse in March. Paul Smith |