Hallo! wandern durch Afgan Pamir und Hindu Kush

[lextoindia]

Ich bin der Lex und es gibt heir viele datum ich Brauche. Ich sagt "hallo" jetzt und später fragen nach ein bission liesen. Bitte geduldig mit mein Deutsche. xD

Hello, my name is Lex and I am planning on hiking through the Wakhan Valley, Afgan Pamir and Hindu Kush en route to India from Germany in early 2012 with my German girlfriend. I noticed that some of you have done things like this so I decided to register so that I could ask questions. I must first read through the wealth of information already posted but feel free to comment anytime. I am a moderately experienced hiker and Scout in extremely good physical condition, but with the recent addition to my hiking party I must make more careful planning and preparation.

My biggest concerns right now are navigating through border control between Tajikistan and India (where are they, what documents do I need?), finding multiple safe (environmentally and politically) routes through the Hindu Kush (I haven't found decent maps yet), and most importantly: getting from the foothills of Norther Pakistan to the KKH highway safely.

Yes, I am aware of general warning about Afganistan and Pakistan, and especially strong warnings about the Northern and Tribal areas of Pakistan. Yes, I am aware that the Hindu Kush in winter is a very challenging to nearly impossible hike, I chose it for that reason specifically as this should mean no random Jihadists or smugglers wandering around. Your more specific warnings and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[lextoindia]

I've identified 6 potential routes. All go to the Karambar River in Pakistan (thinking about rafting down). This is my first attempt at picking a hiking route on this scale so don't be shy about critisisms.

What do you think? How hard are they? How long will it take to complete them? Reccomend a technique for 2person team to make a steep descent together?

The first two have a long steep decent to Lake Karambar.
The third one has a short steep ascent up a ridge.
The forth one has a short extremely steep ascent. (impossible?)
The fifth one is through an established pass but it's a very long route and it doesn't look that much better than the first two I found. Has an Opportunity for a side-trip to summit a peak.
Sixth one has a long extremely steep decent (impossible?)

and I'll post the link just as soon as I up my post count...
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=215050541172506955994.0004b22fb673140477d27

[lextoindia]

Making these routes turned out to be a lot easier and alot more fun than I had imagined. Now I just hope one of them is actually doable. I assum Kalandar Pass will work but so far the second route is my favorite (it's the first one I mapped). The first route is shorting but steeper.

[tim2007viatge]

Let’s move to your thread in the Pakistan chapter for further answers? Here it is: http://www.trekkingforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=135908#post135908 (http://www.trekkingforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=135908#post135908)

Hi Lex(toIndia),
You started two similar threads in the Pakistan chapter and in the Central Asia chapter because your planned trip is in both regions.
However, sorting out answers will be easier if all is discussed in one thread. So please find my answer under the link above.
Tim