Arian Lemal, The Sweeper of the Peaks

Hello to you all,

June 13 at noon, I boarded a very old pink jeep towards Askole, departure village of the trek. takes about 7 hours on a dirt road in very poor condition. ca moves in all directions and it is dusty, but the scenery is magnificent: rocky desert with mountains in every direction. Occasionally, we go in a small village with mud houses and a few green fields well irrigated. Children watch us pass, and we say hello to us waving. I answer with a big smile and I in turn the waving. They love it! a big smile appears on their face. It's great.
The night starts to fall, the road narrows, stiffens, and I clench my buttocks for fear of falling into the ravine, and it becomes a real adventure, especially when the driver wants to arrive quickly and thus accelerate the pace. The driver seems comfortable. I can only trust him, so I leave the head out the window and I take this adventure. All goes well, we arrive safely: Askole. Tonight I sleep in a tent. The smell of the sleeping bag, the atmosphere of the tent and being outside makes me smile. I am delighted to be here.
The next morning around 6am, we organize the bags for the porters, and around 8 am, we begin the trek. It's cool, overcast sky, the mountains are hidden by clouds, but I sourris and I'm excited. I'm like a child before a Christmas present. A caravan of 110 porters lies before me. later, in a cloud of dust, I cross a herd of goats 50aine. And finally, whenever I double a porter, he said: "Malekum salam, how are you?". And I answer: "Malekum sala. Fine thanks. And you? "The wearer looks at me smiling and I continue my way.
4 hours later, I arrive smiling, excited and happy camper "Jhula". The after noon is going to drink tea, laugh with the rest of the team and admire the surrounding peaks (always hidden by clouds). All is well.
The next day, starting at 6am to Paju. The clouds are still there, but the morale and atmosphere are tip top toupee. 5h, and here I am in the camp, sitting under a tree (the last trees before the glacier), to admire the river and mountains. The landscape is still desert.
The following day, we begin to walk around 4am because there are a lot of snow and we want to prevent us from sinking at every step in the snow ramolie by the sun. Holders are also delighted to begin as early. The clouds disappeared and the trees and flowers, we are on the Baltoro glacier (60km long glacier) the mountains are revealed, it is magnificent hanging glaciers covered peaks, steep rocky peaks and blue sky.
It is -10 degrees in the morning when we begin to walk, then around 8 am, with the sun and the reflection, I feel like in an oven at 200 degrees. Ramolie snow at great speed, I picks up speed to reach the camp around 9am or 10am.
June 20, I arrive at base camp at 5000m. I'm slightly a headache due to altitude, but I'm happy to be there. I recognize the surrounding peaks that I so admired last summer during the two months I was there! Nothing has changed except that there are a lot of snow. It's all white. I set up my tent, I get my two bags, and I put my stuff in my little house for the next 2 months ...
I am very happy to be here. it'll be a great expedition. I will bring beautiful images for you to share this adventure. The atmosphere is cheerful with the team. We cry we laugh so much!
The 24 around 4 am, I will leave for camp1 to 5900m. The acclimatization phase begins. I can not wait to don my heavy boots and my crampons, put on my harness, turn on the lamp and start climbing. I'm less eager to be back among the crevices and seracs, but I'll be roped, and everything will be fine.
Meanwhile, the next new, wear you well, and take good care of our beautiful planet.
Our planet deserves an effort.

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