Arian Lemal, The Sweeper of the Peaks

Hello,

On 7 June 22h, I décollais from Paris to Pakistan with 55kg of equipment. Since I was only allowed 37kg and every kg plus costs 32 euro, I put 30kg in the hold and I left with my shoes at the foot of shipment, my video camera in hand, the batteries the camera in my pockets, my jacket and a jacket under the arm (whose pockets were filled to the brim with heavy things), and finally my backpack that weighed 7kg (maximum weight for the cab). The passage of safety, the authorities were looking at me with big eyes curious and amused. I had to remove my shoes to be scanned. Then I decided to go barefoot in the airport!

At 6am the next day, after a sleepless night, I arrived in Dubai ... always barefoot and my hand has big shoes! It was fun! I spent the day with friends in Dubai. It was 44 degrees ... too hot for me! I thought: "Bring on the mountains!"

The evening was 22h, I décollais to Islamabad (capital of Pakistan) to land a 3am on 9 June. I was completely HS after 2 days of travel! Then we had to clear customs, get my bags and go away. I went to bed at 5am and got up 3 hours later to make breakfast for you, goodbye Phil (with whom I climbed last year, in English 40 years) and meet the rest of the team I'm going the next 2 months. I therefore welcomed the team: two English, one Finnish, one Swedish and one Italian, one Canadian, one American and the young French me! I then went back to bed ...

The next day we flew (1h) to Skardu (departure city to the mountains). This flight allowed us to avoid 30h bus on a road in poor condition and most of all ... the Taliban. The situation is still critical here. As' foreign, we keep a low profile! But now we are in the mountains of north-east, so good. The baltis (inhabitants of this region) are welcoming and warm, I can wander quietly through the streets of Skardu and make my last races: chocolate, sweets and biscuits. We must have fun in the mountains ... especially towards the end of the expedition when I think back to a civilization, and that my body will be tired of cans, rice and pasta!

For the moment, so I was Skardu, a small town or very dusty and noisy honking it in all directions. They love the horn here ... a bit like in Italy! It does not cross any woman in the streets. We are in an Islamic country. The men wear long white or beige clothing, and many have beards. (See photo below)

Being friendly and curious, they call me and ask me questions (in English sometimes difficult to understand): Where I come from, my age, what I'm doing here, what I think of their country ... I always spend a good time with them! (See photo below).

Today, a young man I even offered to take me back to the hotel by bike. What kindness!

Today I weighed my bags and rerangé for carriers. Each carrier carries 25kg to base camp. The trek takes 5-7days walking 6 hours a day. If it snows or if they are tired, porters are on strike and not move during the day. That's also the Pakistanis! One then takes his misfortune patiently and we sip a cup of tea and left the day elapse ...

The team is tip top toupee. It means great, and what are we kidding! it promises for the rest of the expedition ... ha ha ha. We had tears in his eyes last night!
I will be arriving at base camp on June 21 or 20!
See you soon,
PS: I'll try to update the website during the expedition.
PSS: Sorry for the caret and other American ... the keyboard does not supply it! I cheat a little to put a few!

Our planet deserves an effort!

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