Breif About A Quest Beyond Limits Part I

First Pakistan Young girl topped out unclimbed peak 6400m

Samina On the top of Chashkin 6400m

Karakorum this year remained very fortunate to me and to my team, i have been very blessed to have the great news shared that, our Expedition, A Quest Beyond Limits Part I named by Pakistan Youth Outreach and (shimshali People 2010) by Satwa Guna Project. 

Before going in to further details, would definitely want to give a  precise introductin of the Program being carried out, Pakistan Youth Outreach." A youth Mountaineering Education,awareness and women adventure promotion program"

Samina and Mirza On the top

the them of the program is to entertain and introduce real mountain adventure in the country and encourage and give awareness to the youths and women. the adventure activities have been kept in more dark and have not been planned anything very proper and for real, in this regard, we have planned to make a special arrangement and projects to make adventure sports more common and more public.after all Pakistan has the largest Adventure potential area in the world and the most challenging peaks ,passes and beautiful valleys,.

the Project was the first project of its type in the country, to organize women expedition to any unclimbed peak, the peak which we chooses to climbed was (chashkin Sar 6400m). in the karakorum Maidur area. 

the team ,left to right Tafat shah,Mirza ali,yahya Baig,

Salamat Khan,Samina Baig and Arshad,photo courtesy,Stelian

this project was a joint Venture of Pakistan Youth outreach and Satwa Guna project.

our expedition start from 22 of August and last till 8th of September, how ever the project had 45days in total but unfortunately due to some documentation issue with EP Wing Islamabad.,we spent two weeks in Islamabad.

the project had to make a documentary about shimshali life and mountain life, it was also planned to make social,culture part of the village, being a Muslim and village how a girl manages to climb a peak, however due to shortage of time, the entire film was not made as it was designed!

the expedition started on 26th of August from shimshal and after three days, reached base camp,which we named Samina Camp, the next day, we were on Acclimatization to high camp, the next day, we went to high camp ,the night was so fine, the weather was perfect and pleasant, could see the stars shining up in the sky and the same had wonderful MOON!

the Night i have the whole world in my mind
and special one!photo courtesy,Stelian

we start from high camp at 3:35am Local time, and having nice weather ,the peak was more icy and tough, no snow , the first part was quite difficult ,how ever samina managed very well and climbed gracefully the first and icy part, then later the steep part was nice, lead by Mirza Ali,(group leader) .

after a six hours long climb finally we reached to the top, it was indeed wonderful view all around ,thausands of mountains we could see around and it was indeed wonderful that first Pakistani girl reached the highest point where no other girls could reached.

on the summit we made lots of photograhy and video. the team was so happy over the s succesful climb. 

in the team we had 

1> Mirza Ali (leader)

2> Stelian Pavalche (film maker and Photographer)

3>Samina baig, climber

4>Tafat Shah  Technical advisor and porter

5> Yahya Baig

6> Salamat Khan

7>Arshad Karim photographer & Film Maker

on top, Mirza ali,Samina ,Salamat with Pakistan Flag

the team reached at hgh camp on the lower sloops of the peak after meting of snow was very hard to climbing down, it took time to get through the snow part. samina without proper training did very WELL ,and reached hgih camp after ,lunch ,closed and packed our equipment ,tents and rushed to Base camp .the base camp, in the after noon, Wazir and Imran our cooks ,showed a wonderful warm welcome, with flowers and a nice banner ,written,(welcome to the first summiters of Chashkin Sar 6400m) it was a nice and nice welcome, i was truly moved by his great gesture and welcome. he served us with wonderful meal and soup, it was unforgeable movement i experienced.

Warm Welcome by Wazir at base camp
Wazir,Stelian,Samina and Mirza Ali

Wazir was so cooperative and friendly person and the same Imran! both of them were great comrades on the expedition, 

in the night we had a nice singing and dancing party, lots of dancing and singing from all the members!

after the nice and succesful trip went to shimshal pass,

just wait that part is coming soon :)

regard

for more Visit

http://www.pakyouthoutreach.com

Xtreme Descent - Rappelling

Our NH Rockclimbing Meetup group was notified of the Xtreme Descent event at the last minute, but we were able to get a team together for this event. The event, a fundraiser for the Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America, took place at the Brady Sullivan Building in Manchester, NH. The 24-storey building is the tallest in the state of New Hampshire. Kellie Barr-Foster (organizer of our rock climbing meetup group) put out a notice to our group and those members interested signed up to join the team and help raise donations.

On the day of the rappel my team mates and I checked in and filled out paperwork at registration. Our personal belongings were put away and kept safe by Boy Scout volunteers. Over The Edge technicians fitted us with industrial, full-body harnesses, helmets and gloves.

Training followed next and was done from the second floor of the parking garage. Tim instructed us about the "Gold Thing" (ASAP Fall Arrest Device) and the "Blue Thing" (Stop Descender). An ID (Industrial Descender), which looks like a jumbo grigri, was used to provide rope slack if the ASAP locked up. We each had the opportunity to rappel to get used to the harness as well as the Descender. We were also told that if we descended too quickly, that the "Gold Thing" would lockup and we would have to use the two-arm wave to signal in order to get some rope slack and continue with our descent.

After training we took the elevator up to the 20th floor, then walked up several flights of stairs to the rooftop. Once there we checked in with the photographer and waited for our turn. The view from the rooftop was spectacular! Oleg brought his camera/vid with him and got several photos and vids of our group while waiting. Two setups with two sets of ropes were set up for the descents, how I wished I was allowed my camera to take photos of the entire setup. Training Tim came up to the rooftop and went down on one rope to "test" it....required, we were told, to be performed every two hours.

Out of our group, Carrie and I were the first to descend. I chose to descend first as I really needed the ladies room and didn't feel like getting out and back into my harness. Plus the wind felt like it was going to pick up. Once on the platform, I was instructed by (Over The Edge Tech) Jamie, to pass him one each of the radio, ASAP and Descender. These were connected with self-locking carabiners. Jamie connected the equipment to me and then connected me onto the belay and then the main rope. He had me sit up onto the ledge and then get onto my knees. While on my knees, I had to scoot back to the edge of the ledge. Then I had to slowly lower myself over the edge. I personally found this awkward and would have preferred to walk backwards over the edge. Finally over the edge and sitting correctly in my harness I was able to start my descent. The photographer, who was strapped in up top, took my photo and Jamie yelled down to me to have fun!

Was told that the side of the building was slippery. But I didn't find that to be true at all as I wore my climbing shoes and it provided me with good traction.

The rappel down was smooth and exhilarating! I did, however, find the stop handle on the Descender hard to press at times. I just wanted to get into a rhythm so that I could enjoy the descent. I could see the street below in the reflection of the windows. And I passed several windows with messy desks! lol!

About two-thirds down the wind picked up and I started swinging to the sides. I used my feet to get back to the center but each time the wind would swing me out to the sides. From then on it felt like a struggle to stay centered while descending. At one point I started twisting so I grabbed a crack in the building side to prevent myself from twisting even more as well as to center myself. I looked down below and saw Ellie with her camera. So I gave her a smile and a wave.

Once I was on the ground an Over The Edge tech disconnected me from the ropes. And once inside, another Over The Edge tech helped me get out of my harness, quickly as I instructed him, in order for me to make the ladies room. lol! After gathering up my belongings, I went outside and took photos of the rest of the team making their descents. At one point there was a 'wind delay' but just for several minutes.

There was plenty to eat and drink; a variety of Subway subs as well as cookies, water, soda and tea. And each team member received a 'goodie bag' with a hard-copy of their photo, long-sleeved tshirt, carabiner, Xtreme Descent patch and poster amongst other sponsor products.

The weather was gorgeous, it was great meeting up with other rock climbers, the Boy Scout volunteers were helpful, and the Over The Edge folks were professional and provided a memorable experience. It was a perfect day for rappelling!

** Heartfelt thanks to those that donated on my behalf! Your generous contributions are very much appreciated!

NH Rockclimbing Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/rockclimbing-134/

Xtreme Descent: http://www.xtremedescent.org/

Over The Edge: http://www.overtheedgeusa.com/

Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scout of America: http://www.nhscouting.org

Stonehouse Pond - Rock Climbing

Stonehouse Pond in Barrington, NH made for some great Labor
Day rock climbing!! Perfect weather and company all around!