Excerpt…
A geography major, McKenna has focus much of his academic career at the College on issues pertaining to global development.
Now, due to the generous Deagle Family Fund, a foundation that offers grants to Middlebury students who secure unpaid internships dealing with development, McKenna’s inner adventurer is about to be unleashed.
McKenna will be interning with the Aga Khan Development Network in Gilgit, Pakistan. “I’m going to be conducting impact and access research of the school’s programs that they have in the area, and I have some romantic images of myself bouncing on my motorcycle from village to village doing research,” he says.
Although McKenna is excited about the opportunity to work on a locally founded non-governmental organization (NGO), which he believes is “the only way to develop,” what he really salivates about is what lies immediately outside of Gilgit – the Rakaposhi mountain range.
For those students unfamiliar with southeast Asian geography, or who do not frequent the climbing wall, the Rakaposhi lie in the Kashmir region of Pakistan, and are considered some of the most breathtaking mountains on earth.
“If you Wikipedia ‘most beautiful mountain range in the world,’ you will find Rakaposhi,” he says.
But the range does not only hold wonders for the eyes, as McKenna plans on finding some spare moments to rock climb in this magnificent range. During his sophomore year, McKenna began rock climbing around Middlebury, exploring the Green and Adirondack mountain ranges that surround the College.
“It has the highest drop from the summit to the base, and it is right in the middle of the Kharkorum, which is one of the most incredible areas for rock climbing in the world,” McKenna says.
Ismailimail 
RAKAPOSHI BASE CAMP TREK:
SHORT DESCRIPTION: Rakaposhi is a mountain in the Karakoram mountain range. It is situated in the Nagar Valley approximately 100 km north of the city of Gilgit. Rakaposhi means “shining wall” in the local language. Rakaposhi is also known as Rakaposhi Peak. Rakapushi and Dumani (“Mother of Mist”). It is ranked 27th highest in the world and 12th highest in Pakistan, but it is more popular for its beauty than its rank might suggest and is said to be one of the most beautiful mountains in the world.
Rakaposhi was first climbed in 1958 by Mike Banks and Tom Patey, members of a British-Pakistani expedition, via the Southwest Spur/Ridge route. Both of them suffered minor frostbite during the ascent. Another climber slipped and fell on the descent and died during the night.
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 11 – 13 day(s)
Group Size: 4 – 20 people
Destination(s): Pakistan
Specialty Categories: Trekking Off-road Adventure
Season: April – October
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Day 1: ARRIVAL/ISLAMABAD: Arrival and transfer.PM city tour of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Day 2: ISLAMABAD/CHILAS: Early departure for Chilas, driving on Karakoram Highway along River Indus.
Day 3: CHILAS/GULMIT: Drive to Gilgit and later proceed to Gulmit. Superb views of Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi, en route.
Day 4: GULMIT/KHUNJERB PASS/HUNZA: Early departure for Khunjerab, the highest point on Karakoram Highway, return to Karimabad.
Day 5: HUNZA: AM visit Baltit and Altit forts PM free
Day 6: KARIMABAD/MINAPIN/HAPAKUN: Early departure for Minapin village to start trekking. Three to four hour trek. Overnight in Hapakun in tents. (B) (L) (D)
Day 7: HAPAKUN/TAGAFARI: Depart Hapakun for three to four hour trek to Tagafari. Overnight in tents. (B) (L) (D)
Day 8: TAGAFAR/KACHEILI: Depart Tagafar for two to three hour trek to Kacheili. Overnight in tents. (B) (L) (D)
Day 9: KACHIELI/HAPAKUN: Depart Kachieli for three to four hour trek to Hapakun. Overnight in tents. (B) (L) (D)
Day 10: HAPAKUN/MINAPIN/GILGIT: Depart Hapakun for a two hour trek to Minapin. This marks the end of our trekking advernture. From here we will drive down to Gilgit. Afternoon free.
Day 11: GILIGiIT: AM Kargah, a rock carved Buddha on a right cliff. PM free.
Day 12: GILGIT/BESHAM: Early departure for Besham driving on Karakoram Highway.
Day 13: BESHAM/ISLAMABAD: early departure for Rawalpindi/Islambad, visiting Taxila, en route.
Day 14: ISLAMABAD/DEPARUTRE: Transfer four onward journey.
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I was interested to read the above post as I am also about to intern with the Agha Khan network in Gilgit. McKenna if you are reading this perhaps you could get in contact with me? I would love to get some more info before I go!
Cheers and I guess I will meet you in a couple of months!
Melanie
EMAIL: melanie.poole@gmail.com
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Hi Melanie, glad to hear from you and warmely welcome you to the fascinating land of Pakistan. When you wish to visit to the above mentioned area? I am karim from the base of Rakaposhi Peak Karimabad, HUNZA.
Professionally, i am representing one of leading travel company Named ACTIVE TOURS PAKISTAN and URL http://www.visitatp.com
Wishing you have a Marvelous Time
Kari
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Dear McKenna,
You had did research on the Rakaposhi Base Camp (Tagfari)in Minapin.It is very intresting thing for us as the residants of Minapin.I would like to hear you more from you in detail about your findings and recommendations.We are closely workinhg with AKDN on the social and environmental problems of the Glaciar areas.Rakaposhi Base Camp is also one of our target area .
Syed Muzaffar Hussain
Chairman,
Naunihal Development Organization
Nagar
email: shahnagri@yahoo.com
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lots of people doing progects would like to know about animals and plants that live on mountains
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i had just read about rakaposhi in a novel, and fascinated to see its pics.
I m from karachi and am really interested in visiting its north west ridge.
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hello hope you are fine.hunza iz very beautiful.as far as law and order situation z concerned it z very peaceful area.you can come with your family.
saleem daminoo
bahria university kar.
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Dear Friend
i see Hunza Kalash Chitral Sakirdu And differtet areas this areas is to much nice like a paradise in the earth.
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