Road trip again. A long day of driving.
After a long rest day yesterday (most of the afternoon spent in the hut keeping out of the rain), the sun was back out, and the views we were simply stunning as we commenced our hike back down the mountain.
We reached the jeep pick up point in record time, meaning a long wait for our driver to arrive (you had to book a time slot). Our driver arrived calm and experienced in his old simple but reliable jeep and quickly set to packing the bags (strapping them to the side) for our bumpy, poop inducing ride back down down the Fairy medows road! I think we were more apprehensive going down the hill, knowing what was round each corner or over each ledge.
Once down the mountain, we were set for the long drive up the river valley. Today, it was HOT, and it quickly got above 40°C with NO AIRCON and it was an uncomfortable ride back towards Skardu.
We stopped on the way for a stunning lunch of curry and the best Naan bread we had ever eaten sitting outside in the garden with the locals enjoying the shade and a cool (ish) breeze.
Once back in Skadu we were greeted by the team, and a wonderful surprise of a huge cake to celebrate our success of completing the base camps of Pakistans five 8000M mountains.
Tomorrow, we fly back to Skadu, but tonight, we feast on more curry and cake.
Family Russell-Smith Travel 