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→Asia: Recording Central Karakoram range publication in April newsletter
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=Asia= | =Asia= | ||
==Khorog, Tajikistan== | ==Khorog, Tajikistan== | ||
[[File:Fw190HinduKush.jpeg|left|thumb|Approaching a bank of snow-covered mountains in the south of the Hindu Kush]] | [[File:Fw190HinduKush.jpeg|left|thumb|Approaching a bank of snow-covered mountains in the south of the Hindu Kush]] | ||
Surrounded by spectacular mountains and nestled in the end of a valley, Khorog Airfield (UT1C) makes an interesting place to land. It can only be approached by flying down the curved valley that snakes in from the North. Flying from here to OPCH (Chitral, Pakistan) at around 500ft AGL all the way is a wonderful way to explore the Hindu Kush mountains. | Surrounded by spectacular mountains and nestled in the end of a valley, Khorog Airfield (UT1C) makes an interesting place to land. It can only be approached by flying down the curved valley that snakes in from the North. Flying from here to OPCH (Chitral, Pakistan) at around 500ft AGL all the way is a wonderful way to explore the Hindu Kush mountains. | ||
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== Central Karakoram range == | |||
Let's explore one of the highest regions of the planet - the central Karakoram with the densest concentration of mountains of 8000 m and above. We're going to need a good climbing performance for the trip - even the frozen plateau of Baltoro glacier, above which K2 and Gasherbrum V and VI loom, is more than 13,000 ft high. | |||
[[File:Karakoram1.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Circling Gasherbrum I]] | |||
Take off from Skardu airport in Pakistan (OPSD). Skardu has a reasonably long (11,944 ft) runway at just 7,316 ft elevation, so you can take a jet, but for instance the [[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|Twin Otter]] is more stylish. | |||
South of Skardu lies Deosai park, a famous high plateau, but we turn initially east. There's a chain of lakes which is the Indus river. After about five miles, the Shigar river merges with the Indus. Turn slightly left and follow the Shigar, then follow it into a long and broad lake-filled valley stretching into north-western direction. | |||
Towards the end of the lake, a small tributary river, the Braldu, turns eastward out of the main valley. Follow the Braldu and start climbing (if you haven't done so yet). About 15 miles after turning into the Braldu river valley, two glacier-filled valleys stretch to the north - admire the view! | |||
[[File:Karakoram2.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Heading back into Skardu, Nanga Parbat on the horizon]] | |||
Passing a few lakes, you reach finally Baltoro glacier continuing the river valley stretching eastward. Ever climbing, follow the glacier till you reach some kind of T-junction. The glacier arm reaching north leads to K2 (which sadly isn't really there in Flightgear), but just ahead of you are the still rather impressive peaks of Gasherbrum V, VI and I - circle the range and make some pictures! | |||
A good way back to Skardu is to go about 10 miles sourth from the Gasherbrum peaks, then head due west. To your west, you can see the long valleys fall away from the high ranges, to your right is the still glacier-covered high Karakoram. On a clear day (really good visibility selected) you can see the distinctive peak of Nanga Parbat appearing straight ahead on the horizon. The valley of Skardu is quite a distinctive feature and finding back VFR should not be a problem. | |||
Published in [[FlightGear_Newsletter_April_2012#Suggested_flights| Newsletter April 2012]] by [[User:Thosten|Thosten]]. | |||
=Africa= | =Africa= | ||