| The Hindukush rises South West of Pamirs. It is
considered to extend from Wakhjir pass at the junction of the
Pamirs and Karakoram to Khawak pass North of Kabul. Its first
region extends from Wakhjir pass separating Hunza from Wakhan
and up to Dorah pass (320 kms in length). Its second region
lies beyond Dorah pass in Afghanistan. The third region which
runs for 240 kms lies in Pakistan and extends into Swat and
Kohistan. On the East it is separated from Karakoram by Indus
River. Highest of Hindukush is Tirich Mir (7708). Other peaks
include Istr-o-nal (7403 m), Saraghar (7349 m), Noshaq (7492
m), Darban zom (7219m) and Shingeik zom. Few glaciers exit in
the range but of lesser significance.
The area, which due to geographic reasons had access from
Afghanistan was first explored by the Europeans in 1830 followed
by British survey teams. Attempts were also made by British
survey teams to scale Tirichmir and other peaks in the area
as early as 1927. Tirichmir was, however climbed in 1950 by
a Norwegian expedition led by Mr Arne Naess. Since then it
has been climbed by numerous expeditions from different nationalities
including Pakistanis. Other peaks in the area were climbed
later in the sixties and seventies. Although all peaks above
7000 m in the Hindukush stand climbed yet the area continues
to lure climbers and nature lovers. In recent years other
adventure tourism activities like trekking and jeep safaris
have increased in the area.
Prominent treks in the area include Kalash - Chambol Pass
(15 days round trip from Islamabad), trek across Thui Pass
from Chitral to Gilgit (25 days round trip from Islamabad)
and Darkut trek from Chitral, Mastuj to Gilgit (3 weeks round
trip from Islamabad). |
