Hunza Valley, North Pakistan
Glacial melt effect at Husseini village on the KKH. This part of the original KKH was completely buried. We are now driving on the bypass road.
Entering Gumit Village.
Drying apricot in Gulmit.
Near the village of Gulmit, the KKH is fully submerged below the lake. The only way across is on a boat.
Having agreed to a price,Dad drove Our Sorento guided by the boatmen we made safely on to the Boat, hanging on gingerly on just two pieces of planks choked with rocks. NO Lashing ....The Boat will be taking us across Attabad Lake, about 5km away.
Stressful time. One mistake and our Sorento will be taking a dip in the lake.
Two wheels on, two more to go...
Our Sorento balancing on the boat.
Choking in progress....just rocks
Small curious crowd have gathered to watch.
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The mesmerising turqoise coloured lake. The colour is caused by glacier silt.
A passenger boat carrying locals
Another boat with a Jeep...precariously perched on a not so big boat.....
More than an hour has passed.....and the sun is going down....
Finally at Attabad. Right in front is the massive landslide, blocking and narrowing Hunza River and created Attabad Lake.
Safely back on dry land......a little bit of haggling for some tips by the boatmen.... what matters is ....after all they got us safely back on land .....
Hunza is located in the Gilgit Baltistan region in the north of Pakistan. We are travelling the stretch from Passu village to Attabad village.
According to the Meteorological Department, Pakistan has more glaciers than any other country outside the polar region - more than 7,200 in the Karakoram, Himalayan and Hindukush ranges. Pakistan also has the longest glacier system in the world's non polar region - the 67km Biafo Glacier that joins the 49km long Hispar Glacier. These glacier feeds the Indus River system.
According to the Meteorological Department, Pakistan has more glaciers than any other country outside the polar region - more than 7,200 in the Karakoram, Himalayan and Hindukush ranges. Pakistan also has the longest glacier system in the world's non polar region - the 67km Biafo Glacier that joins the 49km long Hispar Glacier. These glacier feeds the Indus River system.
With that much glaciers, the first one we came across is the Passu Glacier, seen here in the background.
Passu Glacier, up close.
In 2008, the Passu Glacier melting caused the glacial lake outburst flood leading to a section of the KKH being blocked and damaged.
This is made worst by a massive landslide occurred in 2010 further south at Attabad. The landslide blocked the flow of the Hunza River and created the Attabad lake and at the same time fully submerging 27km of the KKH from Gulmit village to Attabad village. Steep rock cliffs at this particular stretch meant no alternative road can be carved out immediately. Locals have been relying on boats to carry them, their vehicles and other goods across the lake. Like the locals, our Sorento went through the same, pretty scary experience.
In 2008, the Passu Glacier melting caused the glacial lake outburst flood leading to a section of the KKH being blocked and damaged.
This is made worst by a massive landslide occurred in 2010 further south at Attabad. The landslide blocked the flow of the Hunza River and created the Attabad lake and at the same time fully submerging 27km of the KKH from Gulmit village to Attabad village. Steep rock cliffs at this particular stretch meant no alternative road can be carved out immediately. Locals have been relying on boats to carry them, their vehicles and other goods across the lake. Like the locals, our Sorento went through the same, pretty scary experience.
Dad was insipired by the a Lake crossing done by a young British couple a couple of years before our overlanding trip. He achieved his dream to do the same crossing in 2013
Tracks on the side of the hills serves as alternative route to the KKH that is now submerged leading to the Lake Jetty
The road to the Attabad Ferry Point.
The road to the Attabad Ferry Point.
Glacial melt effect at Husseini village on the KKH. This part of the original KKH was completely buried. We are now driving on the bypass road.
KKH highway
This was once a restaurant at Hussein village.
a Village destroyed after the aftermath of the Glacier floods.
Entering Gumit Village.
Drying apricot in Gulmit.
Near the village of Gulmit, the KKH is fully submerged below the lake. The only way across is on a boat.
Choking in progress....just rocks
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Our lives depends on this man .....mind you no life jackets ...too....note the passenger boat in the background.
Off to Karimabad...
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