TESTIMONIALS |
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Dear Sir / Madam This is to introduce my good friend Ali Muhammad. Ali has been our cook, guide and support in Pakistan for several years. When I first met him, back in 2001, during our successful expedition to Broad Peak (Alaska Broad Peak Expedition 2001), Ali provided services that went well beyond his official duties as a cook to the team. From the very beginning, Ali solved various problems for us, both bureaucratic and practical, in town and on the field. Ali speaks excellent English, among other languages, and his command of the local languages, particularly Balti, proved to be, together with his understanding of the people he deals with, and his friendly disposition, a great asset to us. His restless nature, his measured desire to be in perfect control of his environment, always within the scope of his professional duties, and his remarkable intelligence, has always given us an advantage over other teams when it comes to find porters, space to camp, permits, food or other invaluable resources. Back in 2001, Ali run from Broad Peak Base Camp over the Gondogoro Pass to get us porters and, without taking a break, was back in camp in less than 30 hours to keep the kitchen going. Ali is also an excellent Sidar who will talk the most stubborn porter to work for you if that is what you need. During our most recent trip, the American Gasherbrum I Expedition 2005, we experienced countless problems with our porters due to the inability of our official Sidhar to deal with unwilling locals. Ali, with subtle but effective work behind the curtains, managed to solve these problems with a stern but sympathetic hand. Ali must be one of the best known facilitators in the Karakoram. He has accumulated enormous experience and is well known to the climbing community of westerners who, not surprisingly, request his services year after year. I would not dream of going back if Ali is not there to support my expedition. It is that simple. He will always be on your side and, if asked, will explain to you, with an exquisite sense of fairness and good humor, what is really going on with the locals (be these your Liaison Officer, your Sidar, your agent, or the military), information that has always proved essential to the success of our trips. Besides his intelligence, Ali has a great sense of humor and a winning attitude that will lift your spirits on any occasion. You can count on him to get up at 4 AM to buy groceries for your trip in Skardu, or to help you carry a load to Camp 1. He has done all these for us and more, and I am confident he will do it again next time I ask him to come with us on a trip.
Sincerely, |
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I have been on several expeditions and trips to Nepal, India, and Pakistan. Support on extended trips and expeditions can make or break the experience. This is a letter highly recommending Ali Mohammad. Ali was head cook for our G-1 expedition in 2005. The approximately 7-week expedition included extensive vehicular travel, trekking, and time at base camp. Ali provided amazing service from day one through the entire trip. We were never lacking in good food even towards the end of the expedition when food stocks typically run thin. His skills, however, extend well beyond that of head cook. He assisted in securing porters and was able to make hotel reservations when both were in short supply, smoothed the way with the locals, and pointed out local interests. He essentially acted as head cook, guide, sirdar, and friend. Ali’s tireless efforts and great sense of humor will certainly help make your trip a great experience. You will not go wrong in hiring Ali to support your next trip! Please feel free to contact me for further information.
Sincerely, |
NANGA PARBAT
TRANGO TOWER
K-2
GANDOGHORO TREK
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