Gashebrum 1 - The Hidden Peak

Ijaz:

Just for record, I grew up in the mountains, but I am not a mountain man. The fact is that mountains scare me hahaha.

This should explain my reverence for mountaineers :-)

I am more of a conservationist and would travel to any part of the world to volunteer for helping organizations conserve wildlife, our universal heritage.

Ijaz

An Incredibly well written narrative, reminding us of the importance of living a fuller life. A life that is worth remembering. A far cry from the mundane existence of the Corporate World. I can safely assume reading your expedition was the highlight of my day, There is just a reservoir of discoveries waiting up north in Pakistan, all one has to do is find time.
Your dedication of this article was very noble. Keep Writing and K2 Awaits you.

Warmest Regards

Syed Ali

Ijaz: Before you consider me your ``guardian angel`` again, I just wanted to thank you for the sweet ``laqab.`` :) I have been too caught up in competing priorities to acknowledge that. And, that`s my weakness. I am not good at acknowledging compliments. And, it`s probably because I have high expectations of myself. Recently, I got the same feedback at work after completing a mission critical engagement for the CTO`s Team. The feedback was very honoring, but I was not very responsive upon hearing that. It`s just a validation of who and what I am(no arrogance just acceptance and validation). And, fall is a beautiful time of the year to get all the validations :) You can sit back and rejuvanate yourself for the next endeavor.

This time I read your article with a lot of ghaur`o`khoaz. Your spirit and your tenacity must be appreciated. I do not care whether you made it to the top or not. That`s BS! I do care that you went with what you wanted to pursue than sitting home like a timid male.

By the way, I am collecting so many of those(angel lapel pins) as the thanksgiving and holiday season begins that the local stores in my area told me that they will keep more in store for me.

Well, as I said earlier that Chowk has a dearth of sane Pakistani Men(an oxymoron) with something worth appreciating. In this chaotic majority who wants to chant their prowess in political bull $hit and sharing the mental fossil fuel, your cyber presence has been quite positive!

Keep on sharing your heathy outdoor activities. I am sure you will agree that they keep you in touch with your true self :)

Regards,
Zahra.

While reading the article, my 12 year old cousin was with me.. As i was moving further with your adventure, my cousin asked me out of sheer curiousity ..
..``Tell me did he make it to the top?? plzz tell me he did!!``

I guess that says it all :))

Ref Romair #3

[.... Also, what is the primary institute for mountain climbing in Pakistan. Is it the Army?]

EVERYTHING in Pakistan is the Army. ;-)

Ijaz:

Good to browse that Chowk has someone from Pakistani male population(the current denizens/expats) who has some real life interests aside from writing on politics, history, and associated derangements. Healthy extra-curricular is essential in life to keep the head clear!

Regards,
Z

good piece.

the highest i`ve been to is fairy meadows- close to nanga parbat base camp. it was the most beautiful area i`ve seen in Pakistan.

Azure, I wrote this on your request to write about mountaineering.

Billie, I value your feelings. I wonder if i could meet your hubby when I go to Gawader in connection with a desalination plant. My mail is ijaz_gul@yahoo.com

Yes I did give a hint that my eyes were set on K2. I went upto the last camp before the summit, but terrible weather, blizzards and temperatures below minus 50 centigrade made descent itself a challenge. Somehow we managed.

Nazar, my age is now past prime mountaineering time. Allergies in Islamabad have played havoc with the respiratory system.

Ahmadzai, you are a mountain man yourself. So why this question. Climbing is an addiction for those who dare. For me it all started in my childhood when I used to run up and down the hills of Lawrece Gardens Lahore in preparation for boxing. Nazir Sabir is a climber par excellence. I am nowhere near him. A soft spoken, philosophical and amiable gentleman.

The motto of climbers is usaually, ``tire the mountains``

Ijaz:

Having read Nazir Sabir`s (name?) accounts and reading Simon Yates routinely, and now reading yours thrilling adventure, I can safely say that it is better to read accounts of the adventure travelers and extreme sports lovers than to indulge in the activities myself ;-)

I will be looking forward to buying your book on all your expeditions in the near future.

I am amazed at mountain climbers. Therefore, one question: Why mountain climbing? What is the fun? Is it the feeling of conquering nature, seeing the world from the top, feeling special, meeting other adventure travelers, or like one mountaineer had once responded to a question on why go up at all, ``Because it is there``?

Ijaz

A good gripping story in an unusual field.

This occupation does not seem to be good for health - how about ``bird watching``? ...and a nice old age. (just kidding!)

Very nice.

I have a close friend, who is a Major in Army Aviation, and flies helicopters, in that area, for rescue missions etc. He has given me accounts of all kinds of views from different angles of various peaks. He told me he once rescued an old Japanese lady, who wanted to see K-2, but got stuck somewhere along the way. His team picked her up, and then decided to give her a bird`s eye view of the peak. She said she had now seen everything she wanted in life, and was ready for death.

I am not sure how high those helicopters go within the peaks, but the next time I visit Skardu, I am going to take him up on his offer for a few rides.

Did you ever end up climbing K-2? I hear it is more difficult to climb than Everest. Also, what is the primary institute for mountain climbing in Pakistan. Is it the Army?

Ijaz gul,
greetings...

what an incredibly gripping account of your unbelievably amazing adventure. i salute your strength and spirit. most impressive is the fact that you see it as a sport. my husband is a captain doctor in the pakistan army. after he completed his house job, he opted to serve one year at the Siachen Glacier in `97. if there is anyone who could relate to this piece, it is him. i`ve relived through your words the haunting memories of my husband`s tenure at the forward posts... living in igloos, dodging enemy fire. i will save a copy of your article for him to read later... [he`s serving with the navy in gwadar at the moment; will be posted out to the border near sialkot soon]. i`m sure he`ll agree that you depicted a vividly accurate portrayal of life in the mountains.

thanks for sharing,
billie

Ijaz Gul sahib, this is a really good... VERY good account of your adventure in the Mountains. I was literally on the edge of my seat at some points! It made me smile, it made me feel good and stronger. It is people like yourself who represent the stronger, more positive nature of human beings.

Thank you very much for sharing... really liked it a lot, 5 stars to you from my side.