When you launch into your second full day of driving you soon begin to realise how big the mountains around us are. Another full day, leaving at 6am and arriving in Skardu around 7.30pm where the drive was fantastic again, more spectacular and exciting roads. The first treat of the day was the view of Nanga Parbat 8125m, this is the first time i have seen an 8000m peak. You view it from the road at 1200m and the height gain to the summit from hère is probably the steepest on the planet. After we fought off the trinket sellers our next stop was one of the most unique places on the planet, a Small monument marks the point where you can stand and view the three highest mnt ranges in the World. The Karakorum, The Himalaya and The Hindu Kush. Further down the road we finally left the KKH and still following the The Hindus river we finally arrived in Skardu. We put our gear in the rooms at the Masherbrum Hotel and set off for a mini adventure around the bazar.
After dinner we had to repack, the gear was broken down in 25kg chunks for our porters to carry.
4x4
A later start today and by 9am we were on the road in our new vehicles. A few hours shot by on the tarmac and then we left the road to begin our bumpy expérience. The scenery was gradually getting more and more impressive as was the road. Lunchtime brought us all back to the reality of life and how lucky we all are, we met with a man who tolds us of his sore neck and asked if we had a doctor.
Pierre is and after a few questions he knew he probably suffered from Huntingtons Chorea, the neck soreness was due to his inability to control his movements all the time. With no money to travel to see a doctor the most we could do for him was to give him some painkillers and hopefully he will have some sleep filled nights. We left the man with a smile after showing him some photos of him with his son and promissed to get him one. Back on the road and after a few fantastic only just standing bridges crossed and a few river crossings our guide Sherbaz , with a gréât big smile on his face happily informed us that the most dangerous part of getting to basecamp was just around the corner! As with most of the roads in the mountains they cross quite improbable terrain, criss crossing slopes of rubble that are always prone to collapse. Infact only a few days before the road was closed. We passed numerous small teams who spend all year keeping the road open. The last section was amazing, a zip zag line up a steep gully provided us with an excellent display of real 4x4 driving.
At last after another 30 minutes we arrived at our first camp in Askole, with the chickens in the pot, our tents pitched we settle into the usual mess tent discussions. Tomorrow we begin our first day walk in……..only 9hr.
And now for a word from our French bloggers.
Askole, le 30 Aout,
Encore un départ matinal, en direction d`Askole point de départ du trekking.
Sur la piste défoncée, nous sommes tous impressionnes par la performance, de nos chauffeurs, devers, guets, ponts suspendus, lacets...
A midi, un repas est pris dans un village, les villageois ont appris que un médecin était de la partie, la consultation commence. On me présente un homme de 45 ans, il en paraît 20 de plus….Il se plaint de mouvements amples qui l`empêchent de se déplacer, je n`ai rien a lui proposer de plus que de se rendre à Skardu et d en parler a un médecin, je pense qu`il souffre d`une chorée de Huntington…(le pronostic est sévère).
A 16 heure nous rejoignons le camp et plantons les tentes, demain matin nos 80 porteurs nous rejoindrons de bonne heure, les charges sont déjà reparties.
