Finally in Kashgar
First of all, I’m sorry that it took me so long to post at my blog. No, I didn’t forget you guys;) Originally, I planned to update the blog in Gilgit, Pakistan but with ‘moody’ satellite connections it wasn’t possible at all. Here in Kashgar, China the Internet seems to be lot faster;)
Just give me a few days as I have some more urgent things to deal with first: 1.) Replace my rear wheel rim which cracked almost 700 kms ago but held all the way to Kashgar; 2.) Buy a multi-fuel stove, an absolute necessity in Tibet; 3.) Get FOOD, I’ll need supplies for about 20-25 days to get to Ali…
Thanks guys for checking;) Just a side note: Pakistan and its extremely friendly people were amazing, exceeding all my expectations. Really!!! China and Xinjiang province also, albeit for different reasons: Karakul Lake (at 3,700m high) with its two Pamir giants: Muztagh Ata (7,546m) and Mt. Kongur (7,719m) was a great experience just to see and admire from far below at the lake’s shores. As you probably know already, I’m a mountaineer at heart;) But more about it later…
Thanks for the interim note.
Comment by shirazi | September 22, 2006
Glad you made it China safely! I was wondering how long it was going to take you to write something new=) Not much gossip here…that is what I am good for….but doug is leaving the Pop, so that is the biggest news of all. A lot of us were SHOCKED…but it feels like a breath of fresh air for me.
The city is starting to get beautiful and cool right now. You would probably like it=) Not China though, that is for sure!! Anyway, wanted you to know I was sending thoughts and prayers your way!! HAVE FUN!
Comment by Kristen | September 23, 2006
Supplies for 20 days? There are regular truck-stops, road repair stations, etc. on the Yecheng-Ali stretch, at most 100 km appart, where you can get cooked and uncooked food. I wouldn’t take too much from Kashgar, it will only slow you down.
Comment by iik | September 25, 2006
Sweet stuff, Rich. You’re an inspiration!
Comment by rob thomson | September 25, 2006
Guys,
Thank you, thank you and again thank you for reading… It’s always good to know that some folks find my adventures interesting;)
shirazi: I hope that the weather in Lahore is cooler by now;)
Kristen: Amazing news that Doug decided to leave. When I’ll come back, I might pick up a few evening shifts and work in the Pops;) Need money to return back to Pakistan in June/July 2006 for some climbing and trekking in Baltistan and on the Baltoro glacier, following in the footsteps of my favorite photographer, the late Galen Rowell. Btw, with enough money and a bit of good luck I might even climb my first 8,000 meter peak: the Gasherbrum II;) Hope the city is treating you well also and you are having fun. NYC can be beautiful in fall…
iik: Thanks for your good advice. I was actually leaning the same way after doing more online research here in Kashgar, mainly through Martin Adserballe’s and Res’ detailed reports while cycling the same route. I’ll probably take only some comfort food (chocolate;) and supplies for about 5-7 days;)
rob: As always I’m checking on your progress too. Your stories and photos are amazing!!! Btw, you’re sporting a nice beard;) Sorry, we couldn’t meet eachother here in Kashgar… Maybe some other time somewhere else on the globe;)
Comment by Rich | September 26, 2006
Rich,
In case you don’t have the table of distances for the Kashgar-Lhasa (or Katmandu) route, I have one in printable format which fits 2 A4-pages (or just one if you print it both sides). I compiled this data from Res’s and Corax’s sites, and added some myself. I used it on my trip in 2005, found it accurate within a kilometer and extremely useful, better than any map.
You can check it at:
http://www2.arnes.si/~ikovse/tib/tibet.pdf
Comment by iik | September 26, 2006
iik,
Thanks again for your help. Your km-table is truly minimized;) Unfortunetaly, I won’t have time to print it here as I’m leaving tomorrow early morning. But I have something similar from Martin Adserballe and Res websites, albeit a bit bigger than just two pages…
PS: I know it sounds strange that I’m typing this on a computer here and I can’t print. But there is no printer here, and in most, if not all, Internet wangbas. It seems like all the places with good and fast Internet service are tailored toward gamers and a few occasional net browsers crammed next to each other in halls with rows and rows of computers but not a single printer!!! So, I had to save my downloads on a USB stick and then find a printing shop to print it. Amazing, isn’t it???
Comment by Rich | September 28, 2006