Mountains
Picturesque is the word to describe northern Pakistan. And the Saling Valley is filled with vivid images.
Nestled in the Ghanche District of Khaplu in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Valley is a destination waiting to be discovered. It also serves as a gateway to the enchanting Hushe Valley.
The markhor goat is the national animal of Pakistan and is abundantly present in the Valley. The word mārkhor (مارخور), meaning "snake-eater," comes from both Pashto and classical Persian languages. It stems from the snake-like form of the male markhor's horns, possibly leading ancient peoples to associate them with snakes.
From science.org
Most people in the Valley grow wheat, potatoes, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Small herds of livestock add milk and meat to the diet. We found everyone to be hospitable and friendly.
The Shot
We awoke well before dawn in nearby Khaplu on November 3 and then drove east. After a short while, we turned north on a connecting road to the town of Saling. Before we reached town, we stopped, parked, and hiked about a mile east looking for a foreground to complement the distant mountains.
The pre-dawn light beautifully embraced the distant peaks. We had colorful bushes in the foreground and a pair of trees created a complimentary frame-within-a-frame for our composition. Once the sun came up, harsh shadow lines created so many distracting shadows that we put away our cameras.
After that, it was a short hike back to our vehicles. Luckily, breakfast and a hot cup of coffee was not far away in Khaplu.
Thanks for looking,
Chuck Derus