Return to Main Page

By Inam-ul-Haq, Kit No. 2027, IH
Source: Al-Noor

Photos by:  Zafar Iqbal Marwat, Kit No. 1935, JH


Alpine Club of Pakistan was established in 1974, and has rendered valuable services to the nation.  

Alpine club of Pakistan arranges different courses at its institution near Gilgit.  In each course the basic techniques and the principles of mountaineering are taught.  In 1986, on the request of CCK, a course was arranged for the cadets of our college too.  20 cadets were selected for the course, and I was one of them.

In the succeeding lines, I am going to present a brief sketch of our tour to the land of dancing mountains and singing rivers.  Infact the mountains do not dance but they make the people dance who climb their peaks.

We reached our college on 3rd July 1986 from our homes as we were having our summer holidays.  We spent our night on the college campus.  Next day early in the morning, we left for Rawalpindi by our college bus.  We reached there after a journey of about three hours.  There we had to shift to a bus of F.W.O. arranged by the club for us.  After our arrival in the city, we went to the stop where the bus was waiting for us.  We thought it would be a comfortable and air-conditioned bus but when we entered it, we found it ill-conditioned instead of air-conditioned.  We were bothered that this bus would not be able to take us up to Gilgit but we had no other options and therefore we had to travel by it.  Some of our funny fellows named it "CHAND GARI".

"Alpine Club, Group Photograph with the Principal, before leaving for Gilgit, July, 1986"		"CHAND GARI, Gilgit, July 1986"
We left Rawalpindi as soon as the task of shifting was over.  Near Hawailiyan our bus faced a serious problem and it broke down on the road.  Fortunately, the Signal Center was near and we had to take shelter there.  As soon as our bus was repaired, we left for our destination.  We had to reach Phattan, where we had an over night stay.  On our way to Phattan, we came across the beautiful valleys of Abbottabad and Manshera.  Finally, we entered the small Switzerland of Pakistan (Bisham) Swat.  We reached Phattan at mid night and spent our night there at the Army Center.  Next day we left for the final destination, the NILT. Now we were on the road to Gilgit.  Our caravan was moving forward and forward.  We were moving onwards on the Karakoram Highway.  As we had heard a lot about this famous highway, therefore we did not feal ourselves like strangers.  We were feeling like a trade caravan which might have passed centuries ago on this path.  Inface we were proud of traveling on the famous "silk route", a route with a vast historical background.  The route which has the foot tracks of Chengez Khan and which had a trade link between South Asia and China is a source of honor for Pakistan.  The construction of this road has proved that nothing is impossible and the vicegerent of God is able to do any task he wants to do. We were advancing towards our destination.  On the way, we came across Dasu and Chilas.  Here the highway runs along the "ABASIN".  We also observed Basha Dam site near Chilas.  We had hardly passed through Chilas when suddenly a green area appeared before us.  The lofty snow covered mountains were receiving us.  Now we could easily see the second highest peak of Pakistan, the Nanga Parbat.  At my first glance at these lofty and gorgeous mountains, rich in there splendor and awe, speak of the glory and majesty of Allah Almighty, and the famous lines of Coleridge flashed into my mind. "Oh dread and silent mount! I gazed upon thee Till thou, still present to my bodily sense, Did'st vanish from thoughts, entranced in Prayers, I worship the invisible alone" We were in the area of Gilgit now.  A large bridge appeared before us.  We were told that it ran to Skardu.  We did not cross it but went straight.  After we had covered some distance, we reached a silent city, the hills in the city were full of the slogans "WELCOME TO OUR IMAM".  We were greatly impressed by their spiritual maturity and their love with their Imam.  After a short break at Gilgit, we left for NILT.  We reached there as our Chand Gari landed safely on Nilt.  We were allocated rooms and we rushed to our beds. Nilt is a very beautiful place.  It is situated near Hunza.  It is a small village situated on the bank of river Hunza, the snow covered peak of Rakaposhi can easily be watched from Nilt. On 6th July 1986, our course commenced and we were allocated the required tools and apparatus.  On 7th July, the regular classes began.  We had to rise early in the morning and take P.T.  After P.T., we had our breakfast and then classes in which we were taught the basic techniques and principles of mountaineering.  We took rest in the afternoon.  In the evening we played basketball, volleyball and enjoyed a walk on the Karakoram Highway.  We also got full advantage of the apricot and apple trees present inside the institution and along the road-side. During or stay, we planned to visit Gilgit.  It was Friday.  The weather was pleasant and sky was overcast with light clouds.  We got seated in our bus and started for Gilgit city.  On the way we faced a land slide but after a short delay we were able to start our journey again and soon we reached Gilgit. Gilgit is one of the most famous places of the northern areas.  The people of Gilgit are very brave and have played a very important role in the liberation of northern areas.  Their monuments are still there at the Chinar garden (Gilgit). The city is very beautiful.  China Garden, main bazaar, Chinese shops and the Chinese graveyard are worth-seeing places.
"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"		"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"
"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"		"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"
12th of July was of great importance for us.  We were eagerly waiting for our trip to Khunjrab.  Khunjrab pass is the highest pass in the world.  On 12th July, we started our journey by Chand Gari.  After we had crossed Hunza and had advanced 20 to 30 kilometers ahead of it, our bus broke down, leaving us helpless.  All our hopes dashed to the ground.  We had no other option but to return to Hunza.  Our Chand Gari refused event to take us back to Hunza and we had to cover this long and tiring distance of 20 km on foot.  This day, we were faced by bad luck.  Ultimately, we reached Hunza.  Hunza is also a very beautiful place.  We visited the palace of Mir of Hunza and took a sigh of relief there.  We had our lunch at Karimabad near Hunza.  The enchanting beauty of Hunza can never be forgotten.  This place is beautiful in the real sense.  We returned to Nilt in the evening.
"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"		"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"
"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"		"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"
"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"		"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"
"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"		"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"
"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"		"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"
Beside our journeys and trips we attended the classes regularly.  We were taught rock climbing, rock repelling and the principles of free climbing.  All the lessons were quite interesting, especially the cadets enjoyed the practical work very much.  After the course was over, we took some theoretical and practical tests. On 14th July the course was over and the prize distribution ceremony was held.  On 15th July we left for Gilgit and reached there after a short journey.  As our departure for Rawalpindi was quite late, therefore we planned to visit Naltar, the most beautiful place of the northern areas.  Its truly natural beauty impressed us very much.
"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"		"Alpine Club, Gilgit, July 1986"
We left Gilgit in the evening preserving in mind the sweet memories of the past.  We reached our homes safe and sound.  The only problem we faced was that of dysentery. We are thankful to our worthy Principal Mirza Khursheed Anwer Beig, whose guidance cannot be ignored.  It will be unjust to neglect his interest in the college.  It is all due to his efforts that many clubs have been opened.