Rakaposhi
Last looks are often memorable. This one is forever etched in my memory.
It was November 11, 2023, our last evening of photography in Pakistan. I was standing with our photography group on the side of a dirt road just outside the remote village of Chaprot at over 9,000 feet above sea level.
There was a chill in the air. It was late fall, and when the sun dipped behind the ridge to our right, my jacket and hat provided me with a soothing warmth.
We peered into a picturesque valley and off into the distance. A small stream served as a striking photographic leading line transporting the viewer to a distant, compelling mountain peak.
It was Rakaposhi. The sight commanded our rapt attention. The mountain is simply spellbinding.
It’s the only peak on earth that descends directly and without interruption for almost 20,000 feet from its summit to its base. Rakaposhi is also the only mountain in the world rising directly from beautifully cultivated fields to its dizzying height of 25,550 feet.
It’s a tough climb. The first successful recorded ascent wasn’t until 1958 by Mike Banks and Tom Patey, members of a British expedition. It took another 21 years before the second team reached the summit in 1979.
If you decide to climb Rakaposhi, base camp is a record 16,400 feet below the summit. Every other tall mountain in the world has a shorter climb from base camp.
The Shot
We waited until the sun kissed just the top of the peak. I’m sure I looked less than graceful taking the picture. Placing the tree on the left in the ideal part of the frame required me to stand on my tippy toes on a small rock near the edge of a drop-off with the camera held as high as possible over my head.
It took several attempts before everything was in the frame and level. You’re probably laughing, but you try it!
We just stood in admiration as the mountain gradually lost its illumination. Finally, it was time for high fives, handshakes, and hugs as we reluctantly concluded our trip and prepared to start the journey home.
The downhill drive out of Chaprot to the highway took several long hours on a sketchy dirt road. It was several more hours until we arrived at our hotel for a good night’s sleep. But Pakistan was worth every minute of our arduous travels.
If you want to see a 39-second video of the start of our drive back to the hotel, it’s at Zenfolio | Chuck Derus | Pakistan
I’m on vacation for the next few weeks, so the next Friday Photo won’t be until October 11.
Thanks for looking,
Chuck Derus