olyclimber Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 I got this email this morning. It sort of reminds me of a Nigerian email. Anyone else get it? <snip> Dear Mountain Lovers, Due to the political turmoil that has recently developed in ex-Soviet Central Asian Republic Kyrghyzstan, which is making travelling through this country highly uncertain and potentially dangerous, we, BamIDunya expedition services, had a number of members of the Kingata Shan Exploratory Expedition, scheduled for this summer 17 June to 7 July dropping out. As permit application was already made this leaves us with a, limited number, of places that we are allowed to fill in a new. As this expedition was organised on the budget principle, joining it is not expensive, given the quite extraordinary nature of the venture: 675,- Euro per person for a complete service package starting at Kashgar and back there at the end of the expedition. At the end of this message we will paste some detailed information about intenaries, schedules, possiblities and prices. Hope you will give it a thought, and if interested in joining do not hesitate to ask additional questions about it, either by replying to this account or sending message to bam_i_dunya@yahoo.com Hoping to hear from you, For the Staff of Bam-I-Dunya Expedition Services, Johan, Urumqi, China. Here some information about the Kingata Shan expedition this June/July. Last September/October I have been doing a preliminary exploration in this practically unknown mountain range on the Xinjiang/Tadjikstan border and in many respect our findings were very successful. Kingata is not that remote, it is a 5 hour drive from Kashgar followed by a 3 hour walk in with pack animals to Base Camp. Still BC if quite far from the start of most of the climbs and advanced camps need to be built at the start of the climbs. The range remained so unknown, not because it is utterly remote, but because it is in the special military borderzone with Tadjikstan, and that was for a long time a hotspot. Besides it is close to the Tadjikstan border there are several mines of rare metals like Tantalium. Up to the present day no outsiders are allowed to cross the checkpoint on the Muji road. But checkpoint is at a latitude that excludes the Southwest of the range from the closed zone. Here are found some of its largest peaks, wild alpine gorges and huge glaciers. During last years exploration we climbed 4 of the lower peaks, up to 5727 meter, which are mostly not to difficult. Members will set out for base camp from Kashgar on the 17th of June On the program is to start with a try to ascent of Kingata Tagh, with an estimated 6780 meter the highest of the ranges. It is technically not desperately difficult, but neither very easy, basically a snow and ice climb. Slovenians will go for a lower, easier peak, as they are not that experienced on high altitude. Most likely they will go for Karajira III, 6230 meter and also previously unclimbed. Myself I have planned to make some sorties to widen the knowledge of the inner Kingata range. That will bring me into officially forbidden terrain, but as it all is high on the glaciers and ridges, no one will bother to care. Both the core team as the Slovenians have agreed that others, individuals or small parties can join in on their effort. As the positions and the heights of the mountains are still not exactly known, (the map the Petr Adamek and me drew up for summitpost is about the detailed there is apart from restricted military maps of the region), the permit for climbing in it rather comes for the range than for a certain peak. So small groups could join in and choose their own objectives. On the lower, 5500 meter peaks solo ascents taking 2-3 days on easier routes are also well within the posibilities. Apart from climbing the expedition is well worth it just to join for trekking reasons: The whole mountain area is absolutely pristine and unlike with area's like Muztagata and Kongur Shan, human influence has only been minimal. The semi nomadic Kyrghyz from the small setlements at the bottom of the Muji river valley, indeed do graze their numerous yaks in the high mountain pastures and on the overgrown moraines, (Which makes for spectacular sight anyway: If you do not know better you would geuss the yaks roamed wild). But competition of the yaks with wild animals have remained quite minimal and there is a lot to be seen. Wolves, (who are shy: They have learned to know humans are dangerous), are there in some numbers, Wild mountain goats can be spotted, as well as blue sheep and several kind of deer. Marvelously colored red foxes often come well within viewing distance and on the moraines of the glaciers a few snow leopards have their territories. Much smaller wildlife, like hares, rabbits, wild cats and marmots are plentifull and in the air often sail large eagles hunting for them. Hiking up the valley of Muji river might be an experience in itself with wide marshy graslands everywhere and a number of winter villages of the Kyrghyz herders, some of them never visited before. Unlike in some other area's the locals are very relaxed and friendly and for a little pay will let you stay overnight at their rock and mud built houses as well as letting you share in their monotonous meals. On the opposite side of the valley in a high mountain gorge sits a large lake Kar'mayo, with on its banks a small village of the same name, which never saw any visitor, but must be a real experience to go to. Above Kar'mayo, in the fringes of the Pamir range there are several "hiking" summits that must be easy to reach for well trained non mountaineers, up to 5200 meter high. Last but not least one could join me on my exploratory ventures into the inner of the Kingata range, - As long as my geographic work is not hampered -, but one must realize that in order to get there long times at high altitude will be spent, icy cols of up to 6000 meter have to be surmounted, for sure ice/snow climbing in the lower grades will be encountered and it is not fully sure what kind of terrain will be found on the way. I hope that time and feasability will also allow me to knock of technically undifficult 6150 meter peak Karagilik III. So basically, if the skills are up to it, it is a free for all to join. As the present team has ordered us to keep the organisation and logistics on a "No bullshit, no luxury" level and group size is already rather large, participation comes at fairly low price per person: Around 675 Euro if wishing to be included in mountaineering permits . Although you will have a little additional cost for travelling to Kashgar and the hotel there, (comes cheap, $ 4.50 for excellent quality dorm room beds with own bath and television), and for sure at base camp no luxuries like smoked salmon or alcohol are served all the necessary is included in the package: Jeep transport from/to Kashgar/Karagilik, Pack animals for gear and supply transport from to base camp, permits, other paperwork, all foodstuffs for the expedition, cooking service in base camp, liaison officer, interpreter, guidance service up to advanced base camp, kitchen/mess tents, base camp tents, mountain tents, general climbing gear, (stoves, ropes, icescrews, carabiners and so on), handheld radios etc. Karaqdzil I Mountain Page: http://www.summitpost.org/mountains/mountain_link.pl? mountain_id=4089 Karajira III Mountain Page; http://www.summitpost.org/mountains/mountain_link.pl? mountain_id=4043 Kingata Tagh Mountain Page; http://www.summitpost.org/mountains/mountain_link.pl? mountain_id=4064 Karajira IV Mountain Page: http://www.summitpost.org/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/4355 Karaqdzil II Mountain Page: http://www.summitpost.org/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/4283 Kingata Trip Report Page 1: http://www.summitpost.org/cgi-bin/trip_report.pl? trip_report_id=1712&mountain_id=4064 Kingata Trip Report Page 2: http://www.summitpost.org/cgi-bin/trip_report.pl? trip_report_id=1704&mountain_id=4064 Karaqdzil I Trip Report Page: http://www.summitpost.org/mountains/trip_report_list.pl/mountain_id/4089 Karaqdzil II Trip Report Page: http://www.summitpost.org/cgi-bin/trip_report.pl? trip_report_id=1727&mountain_id=4283 Kingata SW Face Route Page: http://www.summitpost.org/show/route_link.pl/route_id/4697/object_id/4064 Karaqdzil I W. Race Route Page: http://www.summitpost.org/show/route_link.pl/route_id/4463/object_id/4089 Karajira IV Left Central East Face Couloir Route Page: http://www.summitpost.org/show/route_link.pl/route_id/4860/object_id/4355 Karajira IV North Face Route Page: http://www.summitpost.org/show/route_link.pl/route_id/4859/object_id/4355 Karajira IV Southwest Flank Route Page: http://www.summitpost.org/show/route_link.pl/route_id/4861/object_id/4355 Karajira IV Southwest ridge Route Page; http://www.summitpost.org/show/route_link.pl/route_id/4852/object_id/4355 Karajira IV West Face Route Page: http://www.summitpost.org/show/route_link.pl/route_id/4858/object_id/4355 Here come the exact dates for the Kingata expedition, the Services that are included in the package, the possibilities of what could be climbed and so on. INTENARY: Day 1- 15 June 2005: Arrival of team members in Kashgar, stay at Seman Hotel Day 2- 16 June 2005: Staying in Kashgar, Last preparations. Day 3- 17 June 2005: Road transport over Karakoram Highway to Karagilik village near Bulungkol lake. Day 4- 18 June 2005: Hike from Karagilik village to base camp at foot of Karaqdzil II mountain, transport of gear by pack animals Day 5- 19 June 2005: Acclimatisation day at base camp, reconnaissance walks Day 6 to Day 21- June 20 to July 4 2005: Period for climbing various peaks and/or hiking Day 22- July 5: With road transport back to Kashgar Day 23- July 6: Celebration day in Kashgar Day 24- July 7: End of expedition, leaving for home. SERVICES INCLUDED IN PACKAGE; Climbing and Hiking permits Military permit necessary for visiting this, officially closed, area Nature preserve tax Other paper work Expedition managment services Liaison officer services Interpreter Base camp cooks. Road transport over Karakoram Highway to Base Camp One night camp at Karagilik village Transport of material to base camp Guide, (Nurgazi Abilit), for finding the way to base camp Kitchen tent for base camp Mess/dinner tent for base camp All kitchen equipment needed for base camp All food items needed in base camp Cooking gas needed for base camp 3 meals a day at base camp 2 person sleeping tents for base camp Guiding up to the advanced base camps Leightweight tents for on the mountain/during trekking High altitude cooking stoves Cooking pots for on the mountain Gaz cans for the cooking stoves All food stuffs for on the mountain/during hiking Ropes, ice screws, carabiners, help ropes Handheld radio sets GPS compass. Solar energy equipment. Transport of materials back from Base Camp to Karagilik Road transport from Karagilik to Kashgar MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB; Peak...........How High......Difficulty.....How far from Base camp.....Climbed before? 1) Kingata Tagh...6780 Meter....Rather Difficult..5-7 hours walking......Probaly one time Remarks: This peak will most likely be tried on the expedition 2) Kingata II.....6650 Meter....Moderately Diff...10 hours walking..........Unclimbed 3) Karagilik I....6510 Meter....Fairly Easy.......9 hours walking...........Unclimbed 4) Kingata III....6470 Meter....Difficult.........10 hours walking..........Unclimbed 5) Karajira I.....6440 Meter....Difficult.........10 hours walking..........Unclimbed 6) Muji I.........6325 Meter....Moderately Diff...20 hours walking..........Unclimbed 7) Karagilik II...6320 Meter....Moderately Diff...8 hours walking...........Unclimbed 8) Karajira II....6320 Meter....Very Difficult....9 hours walking...........Unclimbed Remarks: This peak will probably be tried by slovenian expedition members. 9) Karajira III...6310 Meter....Fairly Easy.......6-7 hours walking.........Unclimbed Remark: If Slovenians do not climb No. II, they will try this peak 10) Baby King.....6290 meter....Very Difficult....5-6 hours walking.........Unclimbed 11) Black Tooth...6250 Meter....Very Difficult....9 hours walking...........Unclimbed 12) Muji II.......6230 Meter....Fairly Easy.......20 hours walking..........Unclimbed 13) Karajira IV...6100 Meter....Very Easy.........4 hours walking...........Unclimbed Remarks: Will probably be tried for acclimatisation reasons. 14) Muji III......6080 Meter....Rather Difficult...22 hours walking.........Unclimbed 15) Karagilik III.6050 Meter....Easy...............6-7 hours walking........Unclimbed Remarks: Will be tried by Alaskian/Dutch members of expedition. 16) Muji IV.......5890 Meter....Easy...............19 hours walking.........Unclimbed 17) Karaqdzil I...5727 Meter....Fairly Easy........3 hours walking..........Climbed once 18) Karaqdzil II..5514 Meter....Rather Difficult...1-2 hours walking........Climbed once 19) Camel Head....5130 Meter....Fairly Easy........4 hours walking..........Climbed 20) Camel Back....4375 Meter....Easy...............2 hours walking..........Climbed. As well transport for this expedition as the permit, - This is a officially closed military border region - are quite expensive, but as team is growing large prices remain relatively low. For foreign nationals it will be 675,- Euro, which is about the same as 7.150,- RMB. As for Chinese Nationals permit procedures are less complex and less expensive, price for them for joining will be 495 Euro, about the same as 5.200,- RMB. <snip> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ireneo_Funes Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Sounds like an excellent opportunity to Pay to Not Climb. I thought this sounded quite attractive, though: Unlike in some other area's the locals are very relaxed and friendly and for a little pay will let you stay overnight at their rock and mud built houses as well as letting you share in their monotonous meals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 "Bam i Dunya" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomtom Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 "Seman Hotel" Ewww. My bed's all sticky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snugtop Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Will probably be tried for acclimatisation reasons. tried and convicted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.