I know a few of you guys are following this thread so figured Id give everyone an update:
I was ready to roll back in December, however, a handful of days before departure I was notified by Shikar's staff in Islamabad that my gun permit was delayed, and it was uncertain how much longer it would take. Not wanting to spend Christmas or New Years in Pakistan I opted to push my trip to February. I'll depart February 10th.
My gun permit has been processed and my Visa approved. I was even able to get my rifles butt pad replaced in the interim - looks much nicer than the duct tape job I had done!
Plan is to arrive in Islamabad and then head up north to the Hunza Valley to chase the Himalayan ibex, then head back to Islamabad and down to Karachi for the Sindh ibex.
Got my medical kit packed, most of my gear packed, and have been racking up miles on the treadmill and steps on the stairmaster. I live at sea level so a dose of Diamox is definitely in my future.
For some of the gear heads this is some of the gear Im packing:
7lb rifle - AnTi, No. 2 Lilja, 1:9tw, KS stock, .280 Remington with 140HVLD @ 3100 fps, Leupold 30mm 4.5-14x with target turrets and scope level
Leica Geovids / kuiu bino harness
Swaro ATS Spotter
Slik Tripod / Manfrotto Fluid Head
Kuiu Base layers, mid layers, Axis pants, yukon jacket, neck gaitors and gloves
Sitka kelvin jacket and pants
Prana pants - hot weather
Smartwool socks / underwear
sleeping bag / sleeping pad
Asolo and Garmont boots (cold and hot weather)
OR croc gaitors
Kuiu 3600 pack
My new pieces of gear will be the Ollin digiscoping set up, definitely looking forward to getting some videos and pictures, as well as a new 35mm prime lens for my Nikon DSLR.