EXTREME ALTITUDE ride on the PAMIR HIGHWAY: reaching the Ak-Baital Pass! S01E28

EXTREME ALTITUDE ride on the PAMIR HIGHWAY: reaching the Ak-Baital Pass! S01E28

Oké oké oké. I was not 100% mentally prepared for this Good morning everyone. Welcome back to the 
channel. Welcome back to a new adventure   here in Bulunkul I have to say it right, in the 
middle of nowhere, but it was a cute guesthouse, right? And we are going to the Yashilkul lake now, 
which is close by. This car had een oil leak. four people had to stay at the 
guest house as well. Bye bye. It was a pleasant company. So that was nice. 
I should go to the left here. Oi oi oi. But what a different life these people have here. 
Huh? It’s incredible. You barely see such a thing. It’s like so simple life. But yet 
they are, they seem quite happy actually. Alright so… Wow. Look at the vastness. It is incredible.   Every time it’s like breathtaking. You cannot 
get used to it. You cannot get used to it. So yeah, basically I wanted to go to the 
Yashilkul Lake yesterday and had to Morghab straight away today. But after yesterday’s 
ride, I was just so exhausted. I was like, I’m not gonna jump on my bike again and go to 
that lake. I wan to have like the energy to do so. So here I am refilled with energy. I feel like there is a view coming. Wauw. Oh man. Oh wauw, look at this And the Yashilkul lake. It means green lake 
which is reflecting like the green color it gets from the sunlight that’s reflecting 
on the minerals. And it was created by a land slide dam. So actually a natural 
dam. Wow it’s really nice. But we have to continue because we need to make our 
way to Morghab Bye bye. Beautiful lake. Eh, so we need to go back that awful 
road. But before we do that,  we probably get a pretty nice view on the 
Bulunkur Lake first from this side. Wauw man, the views. Come on. Look there we stayed like that little 
village. There is the Bulunkur lake. It is like Mars, right? Not that I have ever been to 
Mars, but I would imagine it would look like this. Alright, but now it’s time to go to Morghab 
and leave this very very remote middle of nowhere place behind. But yeah, it was 
really worth the ride I think. But I’m also glad if I will hit some tarmec
again which I think is pretty soon. Wauw. Look at this place. Was really worth the ride Wau. Oh. Now, it’s time to hit Tarmac again. I have 
never been so happy to see Tarmac again. Wow, look at this. This is stunning. Ah. And 
eh yeah, this is the actual Pamir Highway used by a lot of Chinese trucks. 
Thus the Chinese invest in Tarmec because we’re pretty close by the Chinese 
border, I have to say. But look at this. Wow, man. And what a beautiful 
valley we pass again. Incredible huh? Wauw. And the lakes here also 
there are a lot of lakes. O so blue. So blue. And do you remember that I told you about 
that plateau and why the Pamir is called the roof of the world? I think it was like 
one or two videos ago. Anyways, we are very much riding on that plateau now. Look at the 
vastness again. It’s like incredible, right? With all the surrounding mountain 
peaks going up to like 7000m. It truly looks like as if we entered 
an other planet. Look at this. Wow. Look at this valley with the green fields. That must be Morghab. That is where we are heading. That must be Morghab. We should be almost there. And it was a tip 
yet again by Azis. So the mechanic in Dushanbe Is it this yellow house, no… is that one behind How do I get there? I think here I think here is this a guest house? Yes or no? Hello I’m looking for a guest house. Is that you? 
You have place? Oké. Can I have a look? Yes. Eh, I park my bike there. Oké. Oh. Oh, can go in here. Oh, wauw. Perfect. Eh, yea. Oh wow, this is perfect. Oh, I’m 
so happy. Great tip. I’m so happy. Now let’s check out the stay. O, sorry. Salam. 
Salam. Michelle. Yes. Yes. I come with you. Oké. well, great. I’m gonna check it out. And 
well, sunshine is safely in the garage, which was a nice surprise. This will be my 
stay for tonight. A mattress on the ground. So, I’m curious how that will sleep, but I 
will tell you tomorrow. For now, I’m good. Hi. Good morning. Good 
morning again from Morghab. Thank you. Thank you. [ thank you. Yes, 
perfect. I can make the round. Bye bye. Bye bye. Bye bye. It is always a challenge to go 
backwards with such a heavy bike. lucky enough there are always nice people around the city of Morghab eh see it is eh well it is just a little stop over 
there isn’t pretty much I mean the surroundings are beautiful right But the town itself it’s 
just really small. Lots of travelers though. So that’s nice to meet up. But today we are 
heading to the highest point of the Pamir. So that got to be the pass that is about 4600 meter. Eh to be honest now I forgot the name. I will look it up and then I will tell you. And then 
we go to the Qarokul lake which apparently is quite nice. So I’m very curious to that. And 
of course the big question also was the bed because yeah here they sleep on the ground 
quite often and so I did as well last night and I have to say I mean it’s not the most 
comfortable thing to do but it’s also not so bad actually so I did sleep quite well and I 
also think I mean it’s part of their culture right so I also kind of enjoy, doing what they do so I get to experience their culture a little bit. So no, it was actually all good. And yeah, there was just not so much around in the area I’m happy to be on the road again in rock mountains. What are these people doing? Hi, you’re looking for a ride? I know there 
is like two locals back there also looking for a ride. So maybe if you can share a taxi. 
Oh, but he is at the Pamir Hotel. Oké. Yes, there he is looking for people 
to share taxi with. Maybe Yes,   he wants to go to the Qarokul Lake. Oké. So if 
you go back, maybe he is still there. It’s a guy with sunglasses also bags. Oké. Maybe 
you can share something. Yes. Oké. Bye bye. Yeah, you see like a lot of hitch hikers here. But 
the thing is like all the trucks go the other way. So they come from China and they take the Pamir and they rarely go over this pass. So hitch hiking is sometimes a little bit hard here. I mean not 
impossible. And here we are yet again on another planet. Honestly, it really feels like that. Wow. 
Like the road just doesn’t end. You can see it like for ages. And I just love all the colors 
of the mountains. You see, if you look there, it’s like red, white, brown. And then if you look 
there, it’s a little bit green. It’s beautiful. En especially in this light perfect shadows, right? Wow. So yes, I do 
think that combination makes it a beautiful and stunning place. Oh, and I forget the vastness of it. Like everywhere you look, it just doesn’t end. And I think that’s pretty cool. Hepla. Wauw. Oh, see it’s like must be some sort of earthquake. Endless road endless road. And here the mountains are like yellow 
and green. It is very very special and unfortunately I’m not like a geologist so I 
cannot like tell why. Obviously with ages, years millions of years ago when the 
landscape was created eh minerals etc. I do know there is a geologist 
site somewhere nearby. so it’s obviously very interesting for them to do research here, which i can imagen, because you see so many colors so many kind of mountains also it must be heaven for them out here 
we must be closing in on the pass now Because you see it really is going up there. 
So that is mostly a sign. Plus as you maybe can see I put on my jacket on because it 
is super cold. I a little bit freezing. So yes, you can really sense that. But I think for 4600 meters there is not 
that many snow. I find that interesting. I think in Europe you see 
Yeah. much more Snow on that height. Or maybe I’m like super 
wrong but in my imagination and what I can really sense is that there is not 
so much oxygen. So I’m kind of struggling because I can feel my reaction is not as fast anymore 
with all this bumps. it takes a little bit extra effort in terms of focus and I can feel it on my 
breathing need to y a little bit more. And yeah, I have like this tintles. Not even 
sure if that’s an English word,   but tintles around like your face, hands. 
That’s mostly of the time also sign that there is a little bit lack of oxygen, right? 
It also seems like the sting about the road. The road was like pretty good, right? The 
whole time. O suddenly it’s like oké bye. Alright. Look at that. Look at that. It 
is gorgeous though. Oeh. Oké oké oké. I was not 100% mentally prepared for this 
but not sunshine I can handle. Let’s go. I see a tent it must be here. Right. I see 
people standing here. The highest point. This must be it. Wauw. Wau. It is a bit bumpy, I have to 
say. See if we can park her here It’s beautiful. A picture? Yes, of course. Where are you from? Where are you from? 
South Korea. Wauw. Netherlands. Netherland. Yes. Yes. Of course. Huh? Huh? Yes. Yes. Aha. Yes. Yes. Of course. Ah. Wauw. Oh, and I think it’s so cool and impressive that 
you see the road like going all the way there, right? Then it makes you realize how 
small you are in this nature nature violence. So I stopped for a 
little bit eh because I saw these stones. And I find it sometimes that the GoPro is 
not always catching the colors of the stones, but these stones are like so close to the 
road. Now I’m like maybe if I get closer, you can see how green. Look at how green the 
stone is. Very special, right? It’s like emerald. It’s like an emerald color.   I wonder where they come from because it’s more 
like the green mountains are there, not here. Alright. I thought that was just nice or is just 
very interesting to see from close by. It’s fascinating how nature can create such 
intense colors, right? And we are making our way to the Qarakul Lake. I think I already mentioned it a few times, but we are almost there. It shouldn’t be too long anymore. And you see this fence here. 
Well, that only means one thing, guys. We made it to the Chinese border. Can you believe it? China. 
I mean, eh I have to say I don’t believe this is China we are looking at. I do believe there is 
this eh what is it? Like this in between zone, neutral zone. That’s what I was looking for. A 
neutral zone. Ehm but it does indicate that we are very very close to China and I don’t know I 
find that impressive. It is from the Netherlands always a far away country. And now suddenly 
well suddenly we made it we made it to China. I can’t believe it. Well, we made it to the 
Colon Lake and it is very blue. Very blue. Lovely like those mountain peaks with snow. 
And if I’m mistaken, this lake has a crater like basin and that would suggest that 
meteorite hit this piece of lands millions of years ago which created the lake Can I like.. ride towards it? Would that be Possible? It is a little steep. Let’s give it a try. 
See how far we can get. Oi. Wau. I’m looking for like traffic as if is 
like traffic out here. Better check right? Wow. I mean, if there is like no 
place at the guest house, this might be my camping spot. Where 
did I come from? Eh just pitch my tent here. I have seen quite a lot of vehicles. I’m a 
little bit worried about the guest houses. Should be almost at the stop. Eh, it is such a middle of nowhere village. 
Here it says homestay to left. But yeah, it’s like first one. But let’s see. 
I guess this must be the homestay. Let’s see if they have a place. 
Oh, lots of cars. Lots of cars. That was what I was a little bit afraid of. Eh, let’s see. I go check if I can find someone. This will be my stay for tonight. Little 
room with three beds. So, it’s perfect. And then sunshine is out there, you see, in the sun. So, 
I’m happy that I have a room because when I saw all the cars, I was a little bit worried there 
might not be a room. So, yes, I’m very happy   that I got a bed. So, I’m gna prepare for the 
border crossing now because tomorrow we gonna go to Kyrgyzstan, a country that I’m really looking 
forward to. But it will be the next video. If you like this video, make sure to like and subscribe. 
I hope to see you at the next adventure.

On my overland journey from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, I attempt to reach the highest point on the legendary Pamir Highway: the Ak-Baital Pass at a staggering 4.655 meters (15,270 ft) above sea level. Thin air, freezing winds, and rough mountain roads make this a brutal challenge. Will I reach the summit and continue my way across the Pamir, or will the altitude stop me in my tracks?

Known as the “Roof of the Pamir Highway,” Ak-Baital is one of the most remote and challenging mountain passes in the world.

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