A.A. PWer Friends
I have decided to make separate thread for Rush Lake Trek as it is of such significance and really deserves it 
So, this part of Grand Trip 2013 will focus on Hunza and Nagar Valley visits with prime destination of Rush Lake. Return journey was through Batogah Top and will add some interest to normally boring return journey
Alhamdulillah ... the whole trek was smooth and in very clear weather except rain span of 3 hrs when we reached the lake. Infact, on return weather was so clear that it got very hot in day time.
Group Members
- Me only with my 2 porters
Camera Used
- Canon 550D
Budget
The relevant information is that one porter costs between 5K-6K as they charge camp to camp around 500-600 rupees. And, they have made camps after every one hour trek which is very annoying. They were telling me that these are government approved rates and were not ready to reduce below 5K per porter.
Daywise Itinerary
20 Aug 2013: >>Starts from Page 4<<
I said goodbye to the group at Jaglot and left for Karimabad Hunza. The target was to reach Duikar before sunset to capture some evening shots. But we reached Duikar just around sunset time and last few sunrays were left. Since, it was full moon as well so i enjoyed a 2 hrs session at Duikar and captured some stunning shots. Me and my driver came down to Eagle's Nest Hotel around 8:40 p.m. Night stay in Eagle's Nest Hotel, Duikar.
21 Aug 2013: >>Starts from Page 14<<
The stay was so comfortable that i got very lazy and woke up late. Left Duikar at 9 a.m. and within 90 min we were at Hopar Village hotels. An hour was spent in arranging porters and getting ready for Rush Lake Trek. We started the trek at 12 p.m. First, crossed Hopar (Bualtar) glacier and then crossed Barpu glacier. We crossed both glaciers in 2 hr 40 min. Then came a long but comparatively straight walk from glacier end till campsite in Barichokor. It took us 4 hr 30 min to finish the trek. Actual time was 5 hr 30 min but lots of time was wasted by my porters in hacking a free donkey and trying to put bags on its back.
Rush Lake Trek Information: Page 16 - post 302 and 303
22 Aug 2013: >>Starts from Page 24<<
Next day we started the trek at 7:15 a.m. Immediate challenge was to climb the mountain straight up from Barichokor. This is very steep climb and high angle zigzag trek is used to go up however trek is well established due to frequent use. No stunts or dangerous crossings were encountered. It took 2 hr 40 min to reach the first top. Now trek continued on mountain tops and gradually climbed up. I took some rest and resumed the trek at 3 hrs mark. For next 3 hrs, we kept climbing on mountain tops but way was open in green meadows. The final climb takes u to 15,300 ft ASL which is a high altitude mountain pass and lets u enter the domain of Rush Lake. It took my exactly 6 hours to see the Rush Lake for the very first time 
It rained for 3 hrs and rain stopped around sunset time. Afterwards, it remained clear weather throughout the trek. Night in camps at bank of Rush Lake.
23 Aug 2013: >>Starts from Page 31<<
Early morning climb started at 4:30 a.m. and we reached the top of mountain behind the lake for 360 degree views. You can climb further one hour to reach Rush Peak which is rock climbing and not technical at all but i was losing time on sunrise and sunrays started to touch mountain tops just after 5 min. So, i took beautiful sunrise shots and then came down to the bank of Rush Lake. The shooting continued before and after breakfast.
Now the plan was to leave Rush Lake from other route and go down to Phai Pheri in order to cross Barpu and Miar glaciers and complete the circle of Rush Lake trek through Hamdar approach. It took us 3 hours to go down till Phai Pheri but a bakarwal told us that he just came back from white part of the glacier which is very thin at the moment due to hot weather and can only be crossed in the morning. So, we decided to come back to the same route we came from but camped at higher ground in Usaimal which is starting point of fresh water stream that goes to Barichokor.
24 Aug 2013: >>Starts from Page 35<<
Left Usaimal at 7 a.m. and reached back Hopar Village around 10:30 a.m. My driver was in Karimabad as a small bridge was broken and jeep could not reach Hopar hotels on day of arrival. Now bridge was made so i called him and he picked me for return journey from Hopar Village. We left Hopar at 1:30 p.m. and reached Jaglot around 5:30 p.m. We decided to stay in Jaglot as i was not sure whether we will be able to make it till Chilas in daylight. It was hard task to find a reasonable place to stay in Jaglot so had to spend night in a guest house in quite grim situation.
25 Aug 2013:
Today's task was to hit Naran in one go so left early at 5:30 a.m. We reached Chilas in 2 hours and did breakfast there. Then left for Naran through Chilas town route going to Babusar Pass. This way was blocked due to wide cuts made by rain water. We came to know that now original route from KKH is being used to go to Babusar. We had to waste another 30-45 min to reach that point so we opted for Batogah Pass as its turn was just 10 min away from dead end on this route.
The route was peaceful and green with fresh water streams flowing throughout the valley. It took us 3 hours to reach Batogah Top and another 2 hours to reach Naran. So, in total we did Chilas - Naran journey in 5 hours. Only stop was at Batogah Top for 15 min.
I met Qari sahib in Naran and then spent some great time with Adeel Liaqat and Naveed from Naran who are running Paramount Adventure Club in Naran. Night stay was at Eden Hotel. Thx a lot to Adeel & Naveed for lovely dinner and Qari sahib for wonderful breakfast
26 Aug 2013:
I left jeep in Naran as driver belonged to Naran and took 2 seats in a hiace and easily came to Mansehra in 3 hr 30 min. Then took a taxi till Daewoo Abbottabad and took my bus for Lahore at 2 p.m.
Reached home sweet home at 9 p.m.
Rush Lake with night reflections
0001 - Rush Lake - Nagar Valley, Pakistan by Mobeen Mazhar, on Flickr
I hope you will like this wonderful trek and travelogue
Best Regards
Mobeen Mazhar
