As Salam O Alaikum
Due heavy rains on EID holidays many plans got cancelled so now decided to go on Makra Top Expedition via Shogran, Siri Paya Meadows.
About Makra Peak
Makra is a scenic peak in the Hazara region of the Himalayas in northern Pakistan. It is 3,885 meters (12,745 ft) high and almost 200 km from Islamabad on Naran Road. From Kiwai a single 7-KM road goes upwards to Shogran, a tourist place with plenty of hotels; the track goes upward to Seree Lake and ends at Paye. From here it is a walking trek of four hours to the top of Makra. Hiking Makra is difficult task due to snow and slope of the peak.
Although it can be normal peak to climb, deaths have occurred in storms. In spite of the difficulties, the top offers the scenery of Hazara and Azad Kashmir. Main reason for deaths is too much fog when weather goes bad, and too much slope. Waters of its glacier feed the Kunhar River.
Group Members
We were total 11 members on this track, 8 Adults & 3 Super kids.
Adults
- Mr. Shahbaz Zain ---------------------- @Shahbazzain (Rawalpindi)
- Mr. Imran Arshad------------------------@%5b/email%5d%5b/email%5d"]imarshad ( Islamabad)
- Mr.Rana Sher Dil-------------------------@%5b/email%5d%5b/email%5d"]ranasherdil ( Multan)
- Mr.Rashid-------------------------------@emmaar (Faisalabad)
- Mr. Murtaza Mahmud--------------------@%5b/email%5d%5b/email%5d"]m_Mahmud(Islamabad)
- Mr. Faraz Azam--------------------------@Faraz74 (Faisalabad)
- Mr. Tauqeer Ahmed----------------------@Huazifa (Mianwali)
- Me (Muhammad BILAL)-------------------@BILAL3538 (Sialkot)
Super Kids
- Nihal Ahmed S/o Rashid Bhai
- Omair Faraz S/o Faraz Bhai
- Mohid Faraz S/o Faraz Bhai
Faisalabadi members were going direct to Mansehra & were reaching there approx 07:30 am so our plan was to connect them there but unfortunately our departure from RWP got delayed & we reached Mansehra @ 10:30am.
So we gathered at Shogran & then immediately left for Paye Meadows.
We were planning to camp @ base camp of Makra but local threaten us not to camp @ Base camp, so we camped at Paye Meadows near Hotels.
As per plan we have to start track at 06: 00 am but due heavy rain all night we started at 06:50 am & reached at top 11:45 & back on 04: 00 pm.
Track was not a piece of cake! It was very steep hike without any proper track & many dangerous landslide areas on the way. Dense fog & lower clouds were also a big problem for trackers.
Secondly never plan to camp @ base camp as there is no proper place to camp there & dangerous area at night. Always take guide with you cz in fog you can easily go off the track!
Kids performed beyond our expectations and tracked like regular trackers but half an hour track before top Faraz Bhai& their kids quit with heavy hearts cz Omair was not feeling well & Mohid was stopped due very dangerous crossing ahead So Faraz Bhai have to return back with his kids, But Rashid Bhai?s Nihal kept walking & reached the Top
Rest the Pictures will tell the story??
Group Photo & Paya Meadows
Left to Right : Me (BILAL), Rashid, Shahbaz, Tauqeer, Faraz, Imran Arshad, Rana Sherdil, Murtaza
Nihal, Mohid & Omair
Paya Meadows