Blankonthemap INFO N°31 - Trekking - 17 juillet 2009

 

Olivier Galibert dans les pas de Bill Tilman

When I created trekking-au-pakistan, I wished sharing all emotions felt during the discovery of this wonderfull country, as well on the geographical as human. Exploration continues this year. For one month, I will visit some foreign valleys of this so complex Karakoram range.

The program is to trek in the high valley of Bar, right under Hunza. Sharp-edged peaks, big walls, with several glaciers which fall down from Batura Wall. 4 to 6 days to survey the glacier of Toltar, Baltar, Kurkugi, Satmaro.

A fast ride to Shimshal, toward maybe Schpooden pass (5150 Mr)between the the Zagarben valley and the road of Shimshal Pass: trek 3 to 4 days.

One month is short, for the continuation I will concentrate on more modest routes.

Of course, these ways will be published and yours are welcome on the website. One of the next chapters of the Pakistani Northern adventure should be written with Bruno Collard, creator of Blank One The Map. We keep in mind to discover the history of these men and these mountains which fascinate us so much. Inch Allah !

Olivier Galibert

Bill Tilman

To explore these valleys reveal the exact spirit which animated the pioneers, of Bill Tilman for example. The valley of Chalt was tardily maps in year 1947 by famous Bill Tilman, story writted in its excellent book entitled " Tow mountains and a river", this a short summary:

When H. W Tilman had put the final point at the book of its famous " Everest 1938 ", he went far from civilization. And no one didn't know during several months which it had become. The key of the mystery is here:

In June and July 1947, with three companions, he tries to climb Rakaposhi (7.788 Mr.). Fresh snow, avalanches, cornices, and finally, on the north-western edge, rock difficulties without hope, ruin the expedition. Tilman then, from there go meet its old friend Eric Shipton in Chinese Turkestan. Both tried to climb Mustagh Ata (7.433 Mr.), " Father of the icy mountains ", which draw up at the Pamir borders its giant pyramid. New failure.

At least, Tilman maked a rich travel of discoveries. Lastly, it takes back another road which without visa, in Afghanistan where it stops as spy by strange civils servant, and finally slackened, anxious and dissatisfied.

This book is the account of this not banal adventure. Rich with the most degree of Tilman skills: feel landscape, capacity of evocation, tireless humour, sympathy to most of humanity. This book reinforce its incomparable reputation of traveller, writer and storyteller.

The occasion to recall excellent website devoted to this famous exploring mountaineer:

Do not hesitate to visit Olivier Galibert web site and especially to leave there rich comments and experiments about trekking in the Karakoram range ! Wish a goof journey to Olivier.