What great country. Your writings are excellent, the history is very informative and the photos are second to none. I look forwards to reading your articles in the future as well. Thank you for showing us your country!
Thank you very much for reading of my Baltistan article. Thanks for kind words about my homeland. Best regards, Afzal
Jebentiboga35 - Oct 12, 2010 10:23 am - Hasn't voted
Home sickness...
Looking at this marvellous portfolio I felt a kind of homesickness, remembering the trekking in Baltistan, Aug-Sept 2000 with my son & some kind people from Hushe...
Pity the time is running away so fast....
Paolo M. - Milan (Italy)
I just discovered this amazing article this morning. On this rainy day it definitely made me feel amazingly better... :)
You are living in really magical place.
Thanks Afzal!
This is one of the major landmark articles in SP and a 'must' for anyone visiting Baltistan. Takes me back 23 years to when I came to the area in 1987 - and reminds me not just of Broad Peak (on which we reached 7200m), but of the fantastic journey to reach it - the KK highway, Nanga Parbat across the desert, the fantastic road through Indus Gorge... then Skardu - camped in your colleague Mohammed Iqball's garden... he showed us how if you spray a little water onto the barren ground, within 24 hours there was a vigorous growth of flowers! And then of course the fantastic journey onwards - by Jeep to Dassu - and then on foot the stunning 150km or so, to Concordia & Broad Peak Base.
As an aside, my imagination was captured by Laila Peak - partly because my wife is called Leila. Reminded me that although I saw a lot in 1987, there was so much I didn't see. I'd love to come back one day - and bring Leila with me - before we get too old!
Thanks again Afzal - best wishes, Mark
Thank you very much Mark! for your kind and valuable comments about my homeland. At the moment my colleague Iqbal is in Baltistan, and I will surely convey your this message to him. At the time of your travel the starting point of trekking was Dassu, but now the road up to Askole is constructed. Now the starting point is trekking Askole village.
Leila or Laila peak is really a very beautiful peak in Karakoram. I hope you have seen my many photos of Laila Peak at SP. Nice to hear that your wife is called "Leila". Please convey my best wishes and regards to your wife. I hope to meet you both in Pakistan in near future and hope you will enjoy your trip of Pakistan very well.
we are always ready to welcome our friends, we take friends to their hearts and take utmost responsibility as well to make them feel at home.
Thank you very much Mark for your kind and valuable comments on Baltistan article.
Best regards, Afzal
Thanks again Afzal - and thanks indeed for your welcome and friendship if we manage to come to Pakistan. I should love to come and show my wife, but it may be a few years before that particular dream comes true.
In the meantime I shall have to enjoy your photos - and the news you bring of how things have changed! I can scarcely believe that there is a road now, all the way to Askole. What a fantastic acheivement! I remember from 1987 that it was pretty rough getting to Dasso, but beyond there was the famous Braldu Gorge - challenging enough just on foot. If we make it out to Baltistan one day, then I would have to come and see the road through there.
Best wishes, Mark
Thanks again Mark - for your reply. You can see the Askole road photo by visiting the following link:
http://www.summitpost.org/approching-to-askole-karakoram-baltistan/387890/c-564135
With best wishes and regards, Afzal
Very good article.
The mixture of Tibetan culture&architecture in Baltistan is very interesting indeed.
Sounds like a fascinating area, mountains and culture alike.
Thank you very much Tim! for reading of my article. Deep in the heart of Karakoram Mountains, nestled in Pakistan's northeastern most corners, lies the small region of "Baltistan". The Capital town Skardu is the starting point for some of the best trekking and mountaineering in the world. A high altitude desert, bisected by the mighty Indus River, Baltistan is an area of extreme geographical conditions. Elevation rise from 2200m to 8616 at the top of K2. Summer in Baltistan is pleasant, yet with strong winds sweeping across the Indus Valley, while winters are harsh and cold, leaving the region isolated and mostly snowbound.
Baltistan A land still ruled by the nature. The Spirit of Baltistan, however, is the "Balti people & their culture". While Baltis have been a strictly Islamic people for over 500 years, Buddhism influenced the Baltis under Tibetan rule long before. Their language, remains an archaic dialect of classical Tibetan. During the Maqpon dynsty (Balti rulers) of the 16 & 17th centuries, the Balti-Pa were a nation led by potent Rajas who ruled a powerful kingdom. Today, the Baltis are a peaceful people, leading a simple rural life in harmony with their environment.
Thanks again for your visit and vote to my Baltistan article.
Best regards, Afzal
well done mr. Afzal your article is very excellent and in detail,it is also very helpful,for the people who wants to visit pakistan,your article realy potrait the beauty of pakistan.
best wishes
keep promoting pakistan
Incredible region, thoroughly documented in enjoyably descriptive terms. Loved your loose use of "cannonball" adjectives--made me think I was in the Grand Hall in the Wizard of Oz movie, such is the grandeur and pomp you present so well. Simply must read it again. Thank you sir. So happy to share your zeal for the enrapturing heights.
k2International - Dec 27, 2008 11:59 am - Voted 10/10
awesome!!Afzal Sahib,
I love this article and the pictures, you have done such a smart job, congratulations!!
akhon
Afzal - Dec 28, 2008 2:38 am - Hasn't voted
Re: awesome!!Thank you very much akhon sahib! for your kind and valuable comments on Baltistan article.
Afzal - Feb 4, 2009 1:20 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Thats Great Sir,Thank you very much for kind words about my work.
Best regards, Afzal
aaporik - Oct 17, 2009 7:17 am - Hasn't voted
Excellent collection of PhotosAfzal, you have the excellent collection of photos. Thanks for sharing these with world. Keep up your good job. Asghar Ali Porik
Afzal - Oct 17, 2009 8:24 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Excellent collection of PhotosThanks for your nice comments.
Afzal
Marmaduke - Mar 5, 2010 4:04 pm - Voted 10/10
Oustanding!What great country. Your writings are excellent, the history is very informative and the photos are second to none. I look forwards to reading your articles in the future as well. Thank you for showing us your country!
Afzal - Mar 5, 2010 11:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Oustanding!Thank you very much for reading of my Baltistan article. Thanks for kind words about my homeland. Best regards, Afzal
Jebentiboga35 - Oct 12, 2010 10:23 am - Hasn't voted
Home sickness...Looking at this marvellous portfolio I felt a kind of homesickness, remembering the trekking in Baltistan, Aug-Sept 2000 with my son & some kind people from Hushe...
Pity the time is running away so fast....
Paolo M. - Milan (Italy)
Afzal - Oct 12, 2010 3:09 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Home sickness...Thanks for reading of article.
Regards, Afzal
justahiker - Nov 10, 2010 1:00 am - Voted 10/10
Heaven on Earth!I just discovered this amazing article this morning. On this rainy day it definitely made me feel amazingly better... :)
You are living in really magical place.
Thanks Afzal!
Afzal - Nov 10, 2010 4:17 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Heaven on Earth!Thank you very much for reading my "Baltistan" article. Thanks for your kind words about my homeland.
Best regards, Afzal
markhallam - Nov 12, 2010 12:40 am - Voted 10/10
Inspiring article!This is one of the major landmark articles in SP and a 'must' for anyone visiting Baltistan. Takes me back 23 years to when I came to the area in 1987 - and reminds me not just of Broad Peak (on which we reached 7200m), but of the fantastic journey to reach it - the KK highway, Nanga Parbat across the desert, the fantastic road through Indus Gorge... then Skardu - camped in your colleague Mohammed Iqball's garden... he showed us how if you spray a little water onto the barren ground, within 24 hours there was a vigorous growth of flowers! And then of course the fantastic journey onwards - by Jeep to Dassu - and then on foot the stunning 150km or so, to Concordia & Broad Peak Base.
As an aside, my imagination was captured by Laila Peak - partly because my wife is called Leila. Reminded me that although I saw a lot in 1987, there was so much I didn't see. I'd love to come back one day - and bring Leila with me - before we get too old!
Thanks again Afzal - best wishes, Mark
Afzal - Nov 12, 2010 2:36 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Inspiring article!Thank you very much Mark! for your kind and valuable comments about my homeland. At the moment my colleague Iqbal is in Baltistan, and I will surely convey your this message to him. At the time of your travel the starting point of trekking was Dassu, but now the road up to Askole is constructed. Now the starting point is trekking Askole village.
Leila or Laila peak is really a very beautiful peak in Karakoram. I hope you have seen my many photos of Laila Peak at SP. Nice to hear that your wife is called "Leila". Please convey my best wishes and regards to your wife. I hope to meet you both in Pakistan in near future and hope you will enjoy your trip of Pakistan very well.
we are always ready to welcome our friends, we take friends to their hearts and take utmost responsibility as well to make them feel at home.
Thank you very much Mark for your kind and valuable comments on Baltistan article.
Best regards, Afzal
markhallam - Nov 15, 2010 2:33 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Inspiring article!Thanks again Afzal - and thanks indeed for your welcome and friendship if we manage to come to Pakistan. I should love to come and show my wife, but it may be a few years before that particular dream comes true.
In the meantime I shall have to enjoy your photos - and the news you bring of how things have changed! I can scarcely believe that there is a road now, all the way to Askole. What a fantastic acheivement! I remember from 1987 that it was pretty rough getting to Dasso, but beyond there was the famous Braldu Gorge - challenging enough just on foot. If we make it out to Baltistan one day, then I would have to come and see the road through there.
Best wishes, Mark
Afzal - Nov 15, 2010 9:31 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Inspiring article!Thanks again Mark - for your reply. You can see the Askole road photo by visiting the following link:
http://www.summitpost.org/approching-to-askole-karakoram-baltistan/387890/c-564135
With best wishes and regards, Afzal
TimB - Nov 18, 2010 11:07 am - Voted 10/10
Afzal,Very good article.
The mixture of Tibetan culture&architecture in Baltistan is very interesting indeed.
Sounds like a fascinating area, mountains and culture alike.
Afzal - Nov 18, 2010 3:47 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Afzal,Thank you very much Tim! for reading of my article. Deep in the heart of Karakoram Mountains, nestled in Pakistan's northeastern most corners, lies the small region of "Baltistan". The Capital town Skardu is the starting point for some of the best trekking and mountaineering in the world. A high altitude desert, bisected by the mighty Indus River, Baltistan is an area of extreme geographical conditions. Elevation rise from 2200m to 8616 at the top of K2. Summer in Baltistan is pleasant, yet with strong winds sweeping across the Indus Valley, while winters are harsh and cold, leaving the region isolated and mostly snowbound.
Baltistan A land still ruled by the nature. The Spirit of Baltistan, however, is the "Balti people & their culture". While Baltis have been a strictly Islamic people for over 500 years, Buddhism influenced the Baltis under Tibetan rule long before. Their language, remains an archaic dialect of classical Tibetan. During the Maqpon dynsty (Balti rulers) of the 16 & 17th centuries, the Balti-Pa were a nation led by potent Rajas who ruled a powerful kingdom. Today, the Baltis are a peaceful people, leading a simple rural life in harmony with their environment.
Thanks again for your visit and vote to my Baltistan article.
Best regards, Afzal
rizwan - Dec 18, 2010 11:59 pm - Voted 10/10
excellent & detailwell done mr. Afzal your article is very excellent and in detail,it is also very helpful,for the people who wants to visit pakistan,your article realy potrait the beauty of pakistan.
best wishes
keep promoting pakistan
Afzal - Dec 19, 2010 1:27 am - Hasn't voted
Re: excellent & detailThank you very much Rizwan, for reading of my article, your comments and vote.
Best regards, Afzal
JoelSkok - Sep 24, 2011 10:07 pm - Voted 10/10
Royal flush of MountaineeringIncredible region, thoroughly documented in enjoyably descriptive terms. Loved your loose use of "cannonball" adjectives--made me think I was in the Grand Hall in the Wizard of Oz movie, such is the grandeur and pomp you present so well. Simply must read it again. Thank you sir. So happy to share your zeal for the enrapturing heights.