Shandur 2004 (4x4 Offroaders Club Karachi)

Engro Guest House

Mon, 26 Jul 2004 01:59:22 +0500

AO standing in front of the guest house at Dharki. This was the first (and only) stop on the way to lahore and the equivalent of heaven on earth for us after being scorched in 54 degrees celsius!

Dharki at Night

Mon, 26 Jul 2004 23:40:37 +0500

The Cherokee enjoying the peace and quiet of the night after a hard day's work.

Driving on the N5

Tue, 27 Jul 2004 23:14:37 +0500

On the highway. The N5 (runs from Karachi to Lahore) has been improved a lot from what it used to be.

Dharki Management Club

Wed, 28 Jul 2004 11:25:48 +0500

Kami and Yaseen standing by the poolside.

Leaving Dharki

Wed, 28 Jul 2004 23:33:06 +0500

Back to reality. First fuel stop and air check.

6 College Road

Thu, 29 Jul 2004 00:19:06 +0500

Lahore, getting ready to leave in the morning for Islamabad.

Pappoo Saaeen

Thu, 29 Jul 2004 01:14:07 +0500

Famous Lahori folk drummer.

Dancing at Phuppo Saen

Thu, 29 Jul 2004 01:19:29 +0500

Heavy duty dancing going on.

Blues for the red sun

Thu, 29 Jul 2004 02:30:45 +0500

When you go fast enough, you experience something called akin to a doppler effect, where the light becomes red shifted. Picture by AO.

Speed Kings

Thu, 29 Jul 2004 02:39:21 +0500

The scenery as seen by the bleary eyed passenger, struggling awake.

Red Kia Rising

Thu, 29 Jul 2004 02:58:55 +0500

Driving through a landslide area. Mr. Kabir Omar shows us his true skills behind the wheel.

Rock City 1

Fri, 30 Jul 2004 00:06:17 +0500

The view from Rock city hotel.

Rock City - View from hotel room

Fri, 30 Jul 2004 00:16:13 +0500

The rooms here offer a panoramic view of the Swat valley.

Morning at rock city

Sat, 31 Jul 2004 01:35:52 +0500

Three generations stand on the front drive of rock city hotel with the Swat river meandering through the valley in the backdrop.

Shamu

Sat, 31 Jul 2004 02:07:05 +0500

Soon to be famous rock star - picture somewhere on the way to Swat.

Rania

Sat, 31 Jul 2004 02:19:43 +0500

The youngest person on the trip.

Rock City 2

Sat, 31 Jul 2004 02:32:32 +0500

The front lawn.

Icy Business

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 01:36:50 +0500

Ice is cut and taken in pickups from here. This glacier is near the Lowari Pass.

Driving down the Lowari Pass

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 01:45:36 +0500

Picture by AO.

Yaseen plus Water

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 01:49:15 +0500

Wake up call.

Tranquility

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 01:52:09 +0500

Picture by AO.

White Kia, Grey Kia

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 00:09:36 +0500

On the road, somewhere near Lowari Pass.

The Ice Men

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 00:12:39 +0500

Yaseen and Shamu looking for ice cubes.

Cutting the Ice

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 00:18:34 +0500

They found their ice cube, but then realized there was only one. They're having it cut up so they both can chill their Diet Coke. This glacier is near Lowari Pass.

Road Shot 4

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 00:23:40 +0500

Picture by AO.

Chitral Valley

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 00:31:40 +0500

View of the Chitral valley.

Untitiled 1

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 00:42:42 +0500

Near Ayun.

AO taking a refresher

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 00:46:21 +0500

Convenient cooling off spots are found every now and then on the road.

Yaseen Cooling off

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 00:50:22 +0500

Yaseen showing how it's really done.

Omar

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 00:55:18 +0500

It was hot!

Ayesha

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 01:00:21 +0500

Not to be outdone...

View From Lowari Pass

Wed, 18 Aug 2004 00:00:55 +0500

On our way up the Lowari Pass, heading back from Chitral, this is the view of the amazing hairpin turns that run all the way up the pass. Our Lahori Kia Sportage is in the middle. The Nissan Diesel truck further below has a tough time negotiating the turns, having to reverse back and forward at each hairpin. We happened to be stuck behind a bunch of these trucks, and it took us ages to get up the pass, not to mention the noxious diesel fumes we had to contend with. But because the going was slow, it gave us time to take these wonderful pictures!

Belly Landing

Wed, 18 Aug 2004 00:05:12 +0500

The plane landed too far up the runway. Notice the bent props - luckily no one got hurt. Pilots get only one chance to land at Chitral - they can't pull up for another go at landing once they are in the valley.

Cold Ice

Wed, 18 Aug 2004 00:14:33 +0500

The glacier near Lowari Pass - yet another picture of it. And yes, those are some massive ice cubes.

Chitral Valley 2

Wed, 18 Aug 2004 00:19:44 +0500

A view of the Chitral vally from the road.

Bridge 2

Wed, 18 Aug 2004 00:32:58 +0500

Driving over a narrow bridge.

On the Way

Sat, 21 Aug 2004 22:12:38 +0500

On the way to the Kalash Valley.

Filming

Sat, 21 Aug 2004 22:16:38 +0500

On the way to Kalash.

Hotel Staff

Sat, 21 Aug 2004 22:45:15 +0500

HinduKush Heights hotel staff nightly sing for the guests.

Looking over the valley

Sat, 21 Aug 2004 22:52:01 +0500

Chitral Valley.

Three Generations

Thu, 26 Aug 2004 00:49:27 +0500

By the roadside, waiting for everyone else.

Mastuj

Sat, 28 Aug 2004 18:57:32 +0500

In case anyone is wondering, this is what the outdoors looks like. Picture taken between Mastuj and Chitral.

Chitral Bazaar

Sat, 28 Aug 2004 19:02:38 +0500

All essential items available.

Trinkets

Sat, 28 Aug 2004 19:07:42 +0500

Handicraft.

Made in Chitral

Sat, 28 Aug 2004 19:34:20 +0500

A locally produced car slash mobile workshop. It has a 2L engine coupled with a Suziki gearbox, a welding unit out of a tank, a full set of tools, an air compressor, and a few other tricks.

Aiza's Birthday

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 19:43:15 +0500

Congrat's to Aiza. The question is, where did the cake come from?

Lobby

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 20:15:01 +0500

The checkin counter at the Hindukush Heights.

Early Morning Hike

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 20:22:18 +0500

Finally.

Nearing the Top

Sun, 05 Sep 2004 15:28:03 +0500

A pause before going on.

Sunflower

Sun, 05 Sep 2004 15:35:34 +0500

A solitary flower. The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) can grow up to 1 foot across. That could be a terrifying sight though. This one was about 3-4 inches or so across.

Rania at Chitral

Sun, 05 Sep 2004 17:03:20 +0500

Cute!!!!!!

Chtiral Fort 1910

Sun, 05 Sep 2004 17:42:34 +0500

The orignal picture is at the HinduKush Heights hotel in Chitral.

Group Photo at HH

Sun, 05 Sep 2004 17:46:38 +0500

Almost everyone who went is in the picture. (minus about 5-6 ppl).

The longest hike

Sun, 05 Sep 2004 17:54:04 +0500

The rooms lie down there.

The Kremlin

Sun, 05 Sep 2004 18:27:51 +0500

It's actually a mosque in Chitral.

Wood

Sun, 05 Sep 2004 18:36:49 +0500

Deforestation at work. Or is it capatilism?

Kalash Child

Sun, 05 Sep 2004 23:02:58 +0500

Tunnel 1

Mon, 06 Sep 2004 21:00:56 +0500

A tunnel going at a 45 degree angle straight up the mountain. This is about an hour away from Chitral.

Kalash 2

Mon, 06 Sep 2004 21:54:07 +0500

More people.

Kalash 3

Mon, 06 Sep 2004 22:10:53 +0500

Aliya Husain,MD in Kalash dress with others.

Kalash 4

Mon, 06 Sep 2004 22:23:50 +0500

Kalash children.

Kalash Town

Tue, 07 Sep 2004 15:17:52 +0500

Picture of a Kalash town by Ameena Husain.

Exiting the Tunnel

Tue, 07 Sep 2004 15:24:11 +0500

There were 10 people crammed into the Jeep.

Tunnel 2

Tue, 07 Sep 2004 15:29:41 +0500

At the top.

Tunnel 3

Tue, 07 Sep 2004 15:33:39 +0500

The view at the top.

Goat Painting

Tue, 07 Sep 2004 15:42:45 +0500

On the wall of [structure] in the Kalash village.

Tilted Tunnel

Wed, 08 Sep 2004 17:20:03 +0500

Another picture of the tunnel. by Khalid Omar.

Through a tunnel darkly

Wed, 08 Sep 2004 17:58:36 +0500

It stretched on forever...

Tunnel 4

Wed, 08 Sep 2004 18:02:48 +0500

They finally make it back down. We had started to worry about them.

Woman on a Wall

Wed, 08 Sep 2004 18:39:50 +0500

Picture by Salman Ali.

Trees and Cloud

Wed, 08 Sep 2004 21:00:52 +0500

A long exposure on slide film gives some interesting results. Picture by AO.

Nearing Mastuj

Thu, 09 Sep 2004 15:12:44 +0500

Group photo.

Omar Family Group Photo

Thu, 09 Sep 2004 15:24:45 +0500

At Mastuj.

Scenic Pic 2

Thu, 09 Sep 2004 15:27:14 +0500

View from Mastuj fort.

Milestone at Mastuj

Thu, 09 Sep 2004 15:37:21 +0500

Getting closer to Shandur...

River Valley

Thu, 09 Sep 2004 15:45:58 +0500

Between Mastuj and Chitral.

In Car View

Thu, 09 Sep 2004 15:48:24 +0500

On the way to Shandur.

Sky 2

Thu, 09 Sep 2004 15:49:56 +0500

clouds in the blue sky...

Log Hut

Thu, 09 Sep 2004 17:42:45 +0500

A picture of one of the six huts at the HinduKush Heights lodge in Mastuj.

Tent at Mastuj

Thu, 09 Sep 2004 18:25:25 +0500

A 3 star tent.

Mastuj Fort

Thu, 09 Sep 2004 18:33:28 +0500

The fort.

Bathroom Tent

Fri, 10 Sep 2004 00:58:49 +0500

This was the outdoors bathroom for those in the tents.

View of Mastuj Fort

Fri, 10 Sep 2004 01:08:19 +0500

The front of the Fort. It could be one of the other four sides also...

Scenic pic 3

Sun, 12 Sep 2004 17:57:10 +0500

Grass and sky.

Mastuj Stay

Sun, 12 Sep 2004 18:08:37 +0500

Where we stayed at Mastuj.

At Mastuj

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:17:57 +0500

Omar family.

Mileage from Mastuj

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:24:53 +0500

We were setting of for Shandur. This signpost was very near where we were staying in Mastuj.

River pic 3

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:30:32 +0500

River view from the road.

Shandur Road 2

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 22:43:27 +0500

Flowers along the route.

Pic4

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 23:15:22 +0500

Chitral school girls.

Valley 4

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 23:27:28 +0500

Scenic valley on the way to Shandur from Mastuj.

Sky 1

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 23:32:25 +0500

The blue blue sky.

Sky 2

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 23:36:34 +0500

Clouds and mountains.

Group Photo at Mastuj

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 23:45:54 +0500

Everyone gathered around the campfire at Mastuj.

Suspension bridge

Tue, 14 Sep 2004 13:16:00 +0500

It was narrow enough that the sideview mirrors were touching both sides.

Suspension bridge 2

Tue, 14 Sep 2004 13:17:59 +0500

Another view of the bridge.

Group Photo 3

Tue, 14 Sep 2004 13:21:53 +0500

Mastuj to Chitral, Lunch stop

Shandur Lake 1

Sun, 26 Sep 2004 16:16:01 +0500

Lake at Shandur.

Shandur Lake 2

Sun, 26 Sep 2004 16:18:22 +0500

Another view of Shandur.

Shandur Sign

Sun, 26 Sep 2004 16:57:05 +0500

The sign greeting one to Shandur.

River 2

Sun, 26 Sep 2004 16:59:03 +0500

On the way to Shandur.

Road to Shandur

Sun, 26 Sep 2004 17:01:29 +0500

Winding through the mountains.

Cherokee rounding curve

Sun, 26 Sep 2004 17:04:16 +0500

En route.

En Route 3

Sun, 26 Sep 2004 17:12:44 +0500

White jeep, on the way to Shandur.

Mastuj Fort Painting

Fri, 01 Oct 2004 17:00:26 +0500

The great fort tour immortalised. Painting by Fasih.

Valley Pic 3

Sat, 02 Oct 2004 18:47:06 +0500

A green valley en route to Shandur.

Valley 5

Sat, 02 Oct 2004 21:01:57 +0500

Winding river.

Valley 6

Sat, 02 Oct 2004 21:06:42 +0500

Snowy peak near Shandur.

River pic 4

Sat, 02 Oct 2004 21:16:03 +0500

On the way to Shandur.

Curvy Road

Wed, 27 Oct 2004 18:41:36 +0500

Another shot of the road to Shandur.

River crossing 42

Wed, 27 Oct 2004 18:44:22 +0500

Fresh water!

Baby Goat 1

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:28:54 +0500

At Shandur Pass.

Goat at Shandur

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:30:39 +0500

Shepard boy.

Group Photo at Shandur Sign

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:33:44 +0500

We finally made it to the top!

Shandur Lake 1

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:36:47 +0500

Approaching the lake.

Jeeps at Shandur

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:38:46 +0500

Parked next to the lake.

Lunch on the Rocks

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:43:25 +0500

Lunch Stop.

Shamu at Shandur

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:46:06 +0500

--insert snide comment here--

Photo at Shandur 2

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:49:03 +0500

--insert something here--

Shandur Polo Ground 1

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:53:59 +0500

The famous polo ground - this is the highest polo ground in the world.

Shandur Polo ground

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:56:29 +0500

An arial view. The toughest polo matches in the world take place here - players go through 2-3 horses each through a game.

Shandur Milestone

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:58:59 +0500

--????---

Road to Shandur 2

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 14:00:40 +0500

Picture of the road. This will soon be paved over.

Rocks 2

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 14:02:16 +0500

Rock structures near Shandur.

Valley near Shandur

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 14:14:49 +0500

breathtaking view from here. The camera doesn't do justice.

Polo Player

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 14:30:03 +0500

En route to Shandur for the polo match.

Untitiled 3

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 14:32:40 +0500

On the way back from Shandur Pass to Mastuj.

Bridge Crossing 3

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 14:34:39 +0500

One of the bridges on the way. This is near Mastuj.

Trout Farm

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 14:39:06 +0500

In the Northern areas, one comes accross a lot of signs like these.

Another Bridge

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 14:43:10 +0500

Someone, they don't seem all that safe, despite have survived the test of time.

Mastuj to Shandur

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 14:44:59 +0500

A view of the winding road.

Charpai

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:15:04 +0500

Seek, and ye shall find.

Valley 7

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:23:14 +0500

Another view of a valley.

En route 8

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:25:14 +0500

KO next to his jeep.

Group Photo news Hasan Abdal

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:27:20 +0500

We had stopped here for lunch.

Chitral view

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:29:55 +0500

The view from the hotel lawns.

Small Shop

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:38:54 +0500

This is just below Lowari Pass.

Truck at Lowari

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:40:59 +0500

Slowing making it's way through the Lowari Pass.

Road from Chitral to Shandur

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:43:48 +0500

The road between Chitral to Shandur. It slowly winds up the Lowari pass.

Bedford Truck

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:47:32 +0500

The road is too narrow in most places for cars to pass by - single file only.

Ameena Ayesha

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:51:54 +0500

This is Lowari Top.

View from Lowari Top

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:54:26 +0500

Cloudy.

Lone tree at Lowari

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:57:36 +0500

It's waiting.

Village on Road

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 23:59:38 +0500

Yet another picuture of the road from Chitral to Shandur.

Green Sky

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 00:03:01 +0500

On the way to Rock city hotel.

Chair lift accross river

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 00:05:03 +0500

Crossing river.

Field 1

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 00:06:15 +0500

This picture is of a wheat field on the way back to Islamabad.

Wheat Field 2

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 00:08:52 +0500

Videographer extraordanaire.

Fields of Gold

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 00:15:28 +0500

Photo by Mahera Omar.

Field 3

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 00:17:56 +0500

Another picture by MO.

Approaching Islamabad

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 00:22:54 +0500

Approaching the end of the journey.