Aq Tash seen enroute to Saser La
Sultan Chushku spring
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These harsh mountains haunt me perpetually.
I am like a man falling in love unknown to himself!
– Charles Lamb
East Karakoram
Civilization owes a lot to caravans of mules that carried goods and knowledge across high ranges. One of the most important routes was through the east Karakoram mountains crossing high passes of Saser la and Karakoram pass. The barrenness here is seen to be believed.
Later the faithful pilgrims from Central Asia to Mecca opened the route, traders followed it and politics and war closed it for all practical purposes. Today the trade route reminds one of the romantic tales of caravans, dangerous fording of rivers and toils of people. In all this, mules played a central role and without their sacrifice not much would have been achieved.
Rimo Peak and glacier
As I stood at the Karakoram Pass for the second time, looking across to same barren Central Asian plains I wondered when these frontiers will be opened to caravans. That will truly be a tribute to civilised society.