Weekend away part 2 - Lake Saifal Muluk (again)

We took another trip up to Lake Saifal Muluk, a popular tourist destination. Last time it was entirely covered in snow, we had it all to ourselves, and we had to walk.  Make sure you view the panoramas at full size.  Really.

This time the road was open, so our Land Cruiser joined by other jeeps.

It was only when we reached the summit that we could appreciate just how many!

Lake Saifal Muluk from the jeep trail.  Click for the full glorious bigness.

And from further round the lake.  Click for large version.

These chaps followed us for a while trying to sell us a ride
on a horse.  That didn't seem like a bad idea for the river
crossing part, but first we had to show willing to keep on
walking in order to get the price down.  Worth Rs50 (36p).

While we were crossing it was cloudy and getting a little chilly.  3/4 of the way
round, the sun just started to peek through...

...until it looked like this:  the silhouette of one mountain range superimposed on
the other.  (Click to see full size.)

And then this happened.  The rain spots on the camera lens are an occupational
hazard of rainbow weather.  (Click for the big version - it's certainly worth it!)

Malika Parbat ("Queen of Mountains"), while at 5290m small compared to the
8000m-plus peaks further north, has a reputation as an extremely difficult climb
- and you can see why.