Karakoram Highway

After the bustling of Kashgar I was ready to head for the mountains. Myself and a French couple rented a tent, stove and camping gear and headed to the base camp of Mustagh Ata near border of Pakistan. At 7546 M, it's one of the biggest mountains in the area and a favourite for "beginner" mountaineers because of the relatively easy route up.

.1 Frank's Map

It was about a long and hard 7 hour hike from the road to base camp at 4500 M. The altitude was effective at slowing us down to about a quarter of our usual hiking speed. We all had mild headaches from the altitude on the first day. But the views were spectacular and definetely worth the hard work.

1.1 Driving the Karakoram Highway

On the way back I tried to hitchhike the Karakoram highway to Kashgar because there were no buses that day. The Karakoram Highway winds its way through the Himalayan Mountains from China to Pakistan and is said to be one of the most beautiful road journeys in the world. It was one of the main reasons I went to western China. But it was not to be and instead we camped out by Karakul Lake, a beautiful glacier lake in the valley. The locals in the area were Kyrgystani, and I managed to find room in one of there 'yurts' for the night.

Soon it was time to head back to Kashgar and catch a plane to beijing, my trip was coming to an end.

1.2

1.3 Mustagh Ata: 7546 meters

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.75 Camp

1.8 Glacier

1.9 Summit Mustagh Ata

2.1 Hitchhiking the Karakoram Highway

2.2 Kyrgyzic Stlye Yurt

2.3 Nice Hat

2.9 Looking Across to Pakistan

3.9 Early Morning at Karakul Lake