The Karakoram sees relatively few trekkers yet offers a true wilderness feel and some of the most spectacular mountain sights anywhere.
![Snow Lake, Rivers Of Ice](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/1021/358013/5d3037fd00645/Snow-Lake-Rivers-Of-Ice.jpg)
RISING ABOVE A SEA OF CLOUDS, snow-capped peaks emerged. The Karakorams – even mighty Nanga Parbat itself, ninth-highest mountain in the world, with its imposing shoulders of rock and ice. Then we dropped back through the cloud, to the mineral landscape at their feet. There, in a dust-blown valley at 2,500 metres, the village of Skardu was an oasis of vegetation, poplar trees rising tall on the banks of the wide, silty, grey river.
It was a welcome return for me to an area I had last seen four years before. Then I had hiked the fabled Baltoro Glacier up to the great natural amphitheatre of Concordia, surrounded by 7,000- and 8,000-metre peaks. This time I was to make the so-called Snow Lake trek, a southeast to northwest traverse of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers. I’d be seeing more of this glorious range, seeing it also through the eyes of my son Shinto, then 23, on his first major trekking trip.
At the Mashabrum Hotel, our guide Zakir (alias Tiger), introduced our cook Mamo and kitchen help, Issa Ali. We also met Asad, who was joining the party. Tall, with Mughul features and long black hair, he was a Pakistani engineer, working for a water treatment plant in Karachi.
We headed to the bazaar, overlooked by Kharphocho Fort. It was very quiet, with Ramadan in full swing. Hidden behind a dirty curtain though, we found a teashop open. I bought dahi (fresh yogurt), and nuts and dry fruits for the trek: cashews, walnuts, almonds, apricots, raisins and mulberries.
Our trek was to be from Askole, Baltistan to Hispar in Hunza, roughly 150 kilometres, 120 of them on the two glaciers. Weather depending, the crossing of Hispar La, up at 5,151 metres, was to be the crux: a world of ice and snow, riven with crevices.
Denne historien er fra July - August 2019-utgaven av Action Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July - August 2019-utgaven av Action Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Policing Paradise](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1021/369740/5d723cd4d27b9/crp_Policing-paradise.jpg)
Policing Paradise
Palau’s President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr has established his country in the vanguard of global efforts on ocean conservation, in particular with the 2015 designation of much of its territorial waters as a marine reserve and no-take zone. Policing this vast area though remains immensely challenging.
![The Not-So-Silent World](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1021/369740/5d723b2b3103e/crp_The-Not-So-Silent-World.jpg)
The Not-So-Silent World
Human activities may be emitting levels of noise that harm marine life.
![Once Were Warriors](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1021/369740/5d724a79d90c7/crp_Once-Were-Warriors.jpg)
Once Were Warriors
A visit to the 2018 World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan is a surreal trip to a time and place where martial skills matter.
![The Secret Life Of Pangolins](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1021/369740/5d723e0241c38/crp_The-Secret-Life-Of-Pangolins.jpg)
The Secret Life Of Pangolins
PALAWAN – IT’S 1AM AND MOST PEOPLE are safely in their beds. Instead I’m deep in the jungles of Palawan with an international team of researchers and a squad of Philippine Marines, searching for pangolins, the most illegally trafficked mammals on Earth.
![Feast Your Senses](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1021/369740/5d724d03c5904/crp_Feast-Your-Senses.jpg)
Feast Your Senses
The Alta Via 1 is the classic Dolomite trail, bringing the peaks within arm’s reach as you hike between homely refugios and historic war-time fortifications.
![China's Olympians Show The Way](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1021/369740/5d725213cb36e/crp_Chinas-Olympians-Show-The-Way.jpg)
China's Olympians Show The Way
WITH 40 RIDERS FROM 12 COUNTRIES, THE KTA made its second visit to the Desaru Coast in Malaysia with its Asia Pacific Hydrofoil Tour Series , which welcomes amateur and professional riders a like . Chinese Youth Olympians Haoran Zhang and Jingle Chen took first places in the Men’s and Women’s classes, while Korean veteran Soon Ho Kwon was crowned champion in the Masters.
![China's Masses Warming To Snow](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1021/369740/5d723a5317bd6/crp_Chinas-Masses-Warming-To-Snow.jpg)
China's Masses Warming To Snow
TWO YEARS AGO, CHINA opened the world’s largest indoor ski slope with two black runs, a blue run, snow play area and beginner slopes all served by chairlifts and magic carpets. Interestingly, it choose to build this behemoth in Harbin, where real snow piles high every winter and temperatures plunge low enough to host the annual International Ice and Snow Festival.
![A Quieter, Cleaner Everest In Store?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1021/369740/5d723baeca60a/crp_A-Quieter-Cleaner-Everest-In-Store.jpg)
A Quieter, Cleaner Everest In Store?
FOLLOWING RECORD deaths during the Everest climbing season earlier this year, Nepal’s government and the climbing community are suggesting a new list of preconditions for any summit attempt.
![A Life List Of Adventure](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1021/369740/5d7243138a078/crp_A-Life-List-Of-Adventure.jpg)
A Life List Of Adventure
There’s a first time for everything. But some firsts matter more: experiences that are life-altering, that change perspective, build confidence and teach you about all you can do and all you can be.
![Virtual Reality As A Travel Sales Tool](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1021/276077/5ae2f67ee8576/crp_1524823593_loc.jpg)
Virtual Reality As A Travel Sales Tool
Virtual Reality As A Travel Sales Tool