Bicycle Touring in Pakistan With Kamran On Bike

Sometimes I get questions like, “don’t you feel lonely on such a long bicycle journey?” Or, “why don’t you cycle with a companion or a group?” Or, “can I join you on your next bicycle tour?” To answer the first question, I don’t feel lonely on the road. I am always absorbed by something—the landscape, … Read more

Annapurna Summit Push Video (4K)

It was the first Pakistani Expedition to Mt. Annapurna comprising two climbers, Sirbaz Khan and Abdul Joshi, Saad Munawar as the expedition manager and myself as a photographer/filmmaker. The expedition was nothing short of a roller coaster ride. There were moments of fear and apprehensions and deep joy and gratitude during the 25 days we … Read more

Summit Night

Finally, it’s time! Yesterday, Sirbaz and Joshi made to Camp IV. Tonight, they will push for the summit. As they inch towards the top, I reflect on my journey to Annapurna. I was minding my own business when one day, I received a message from Saad for a meet up. In our meeting, he spoke … Read more

The Look After Summit

I captured these photos two days ago right after Sirbaz and Joshi returned to the Basecamp after summiting Annapurna-1 (8,091m). It had taken them two days to descend from the summit. On the way back, they had to close camps and bring all the gear they had left on the higher camps during previous rotations. … Read more

Why Risk Your Life For Mountaineering?

Some said, “it’s pure madness.” Others read, “it’s suicide.” Some considered, “why are they risking life for nothing? They have no regard for their families.” Another said, “It’s just for personal recognition.” Other people advised, “what use has such activity? Go find proper work.” So why do some people risk everything to reach the top … Read more

Route to Annapurna Camp III

Sirbaz Khan and Abdul Joshi have deposited their stuff at Camp 3 (6,392) on Mt Annapurna and are now back at the base camp. The route between Camp 2 and Camp 3 is the most technical with blue icewalls and steep rock faces. Besides overhanging seracs are a major threat in this section. Sirbaz said, … Read more

Different Shapes of Mt. Annapurna

Every morning, after having breakfast, I sit in the doorway of the mess tent here at the base camp with my eyes glued to the mighty mountain in front of me. Yes, Mt Annapurna is the 10th highest mountain with an elevation of 8,091m and the most dangerous amongst all 8000ers, but there is more … Read more

Kitchen Staff at Annapurna Basecamp

In a mountaineering expedition, climbers are the center of attention and get all the accolades, but there are many others working behind the scenes who make such ventures possible. Neither do we read about them in expedition reports, nor do we see their pictures on magazine covers. Though their services are rarely acknowledged, they are … Read more

Annapurna Camp 2

Annapurna Camp 2 / Elevation 5,515m / -11ºC Yesterday Sirbaz and Joshi estabalished Camp 2 at 1:30 pm. Six hours passed by with them tucked in their sleeping bags. Each minute felt like an hour in the cold silence of Annapurna. Sirbaz took out his phone inside his sleeping bag and started flipping through photos … Read more

Rotations on Mt. Annapurna

Climbers cannot just push an 8000er mountain in one ago. They would have to gradually go up to between 5000-7000 meteres for conditioning before attacking the summit. This process to get used to the low oxygen is called acclimitization. From the base camp, they would asend to establish Camp 1, spend a night there and … Read more

Hello From Annapurna Basecamp!

Today we went to the helipad in the morning. First the heli made rounds to the basecamp with sherpas, kitchen crew, food, and other camping equipment. Then it flew us. It was only a 10-minute flight to the basercamp from Dana village. The heli quickly gained height and dropped us at the elevation of 4,200 … Read more

The Last Dance – An Open Letter To Ali Sadpara

(اردو میں پڑھنے کے لیے نیچے سکرول کریں) Dear Ali bhai, I’ll never forget the only time I saw you. It was at the Value of Life event in Islamabad a few months ago, but it feels like yesterday. As soon as our eyes met, I waved to you from the audience seats. You placed … Read more

What Is So Special About Shimshal?

“You must go to Shimshal,” Saad said to me. “What is so special about it?” “Everything.” I was intrigued. So, in November, I rode 55 km from Passu to Shimshal on a bicycle. In Shimshal, I came to know the stories of high-altitude-porters, their families, aspiring mountaineers, and community members. I published about a dozen … Read more

Hussn Bibi—First Graduate of Shimshal

After a schoolgirl is married off at the age of nine, she leaves behind her life in pastures and sets out on a long journey to become the first graduate woman of her remote village. Tucked away in the mighty Karakoram mountains of Gilgit Baltistan–Pakistan, there is a village called Shimshal which people know as … Read more