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Day 2 - Skardu to Thungol

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We wake up at 5am and shower for the last time before heading out to Askoli at 7am in 4 jeeps. If all goes well, the drive should be 6-7 hours. This is the first and most stable suspension bridge we encounter, taking us over the Indus River.
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We wake up at 5am and shower for the last time before heading out to Askoli at 7am in 4 jeeps. If all goes well, the drive should be 6-7 hours. This is the first and most stable suspension bridge we encounter, taking us over the Indus River.

Day 2 Skardu ThungolExpedition 592010Expedition0058

  • We wake up at 5am and shower for the last time before heading out to Askoli at 7am in 4 jeeps. If all goes well, the drive should be 6-7 hours. This is the first and most stable suspension bridge we encounter, taking us over the Indus River.
  • It replaced this slightly less robust looking bridge to its left, made mostly of old wood and steel cable. The flooded Indus courses below.
  • Another look back at the really nice bridge, as our other two jeeps cross.
  • We cross a sandy plain on the way to the Shigar Valley.
  • There were a number of signs made with rocks that were constructed on the surrounding hill and mountainsides. But this was the one that was most relevant to us.
  • Once we're through the first pass, we are overlooking the Shigar Valley. My dad stops the convoy for our very first scenic photo opportunity. Ignacio, Adil's friend from his days at Warwick, enjoys the view.
  • Looking downstream along the Braldu/Shigar River along the Shigar Valley.
  • Erin, Rich and Tanya point out how far it is down to the bottom of the valley.
  • Rich and Tanya at our rest stop.
  • Around 9:30am, we hit a little snag in our plans. The road is washed out due to the recent floods. The surrounding terrain is relatively flat, but the stream has carved a deep channel through the mud.
  • Porters, mountain guides and locals are all enlisted to construct a couple of ramps into and out of the small ravine, as well as a rocky ford for the jeeps to cross the river on. Here, Khalil, our Head Porter in the blue jacket, exhorts a couple of guys with bars on how best to move a large rock.
  • The river flows past as a number of people are engaged in building a solution, and looking on hopefully.
  • Ibrahim in the red hat, a cook for our group, also helps out with road building activities.
  • Raging rapids upstream of our hopeful crossing point.
  • Matthew, Tanya, and Rich look on as the road and ramps take form with amazing rapidity.
  • A number of locals watch with the mountains in backdrop.
  • One of the porters carries across a boy on his way to school whose way is blocked by the break in the road.
  • Murad, our Assistant Mountain Guide, wields a pickax to level out the road.
  • The ground around the river is mostly muddy, so any jeep that tries to driver over will just sink in. Stone are passed into the gap via human chain to help give some stability to the mud.
  • Mom, Erin, and Tanya watch the proceedings.
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