Hi Everyone,
Im finally back stateside and heres a recap of the trip.
Flew into Islamabad from Houston, was met by Shikar rep and met my guide. He spoke great english and would be with me 24/7 during the trip, this was actually really cool since I was traveling by myself. We didnt waste any time and soon we were headed over to the domestic departures gate and boarding a flight to Skardu. 45 minutes later we were met by our driver in Skardu and started working our way to Hushe, a small village in the Karakorum Range, this small village sits roughly at 10,000 feet in elevation and serves as a starting point for many mountaineering expeditions. Masherbrum or K1 was the backdrop of this small village.
On the drive to Hushe, I got to see the Himalayan mountains contrasted against the Karakorum range - easily distinguished by its more jagged/sharp peaks, unlike the Himalayan which are "smoother" at the tops. Either way, huge mountains and quite intimidating. Shortly before we ran out of daylight we pulled over and checked my guns zero, it was sighted in at sea level so a small adjustment was made and we continued on our way.
The next morning we were radioed that the scouts had spotted a nice ibex, definitely one looking into, so off we went, an hour or so later of a fairly flat hike we had him in the spotting scope. Handsome billy, with a really dark coat, lonely up on the side of a mountain, but now way of closing the distance, we set up despite the steep angle and waited for him to turn, I dialed it and unfortunately missed way high, bad rest I thought, as did everyone else. Off we went, we glassed a few more different spots and then came across another band of billies. A nice group of 5 with one or two breaking the 40" mark, it was late in the day so we just videoed them and headed back to camp.
Its around this time that I started feeling nauseous, and ultimately had to throw up, but immediately felt better afterwards, and much credit to my guide "no headache, no problem" this guy was so positive! Everyone made sure I was alright and as soon as I got back to camp I popped some meds and went to bed, woke up feeling more energized but was very reserved in what I fed my body.
We went up to a second valley opposite of where we had hunted the day before and the scouts again spotted a group of ewes and billies, with a really exceptional ram in the group. We made a plan and off we went, two local guides, my guide and myself. We packed light and moved swiftly. A few hours later we were north of 13,000 feet and hiding behind some rocks figuring out where to set up to have the best rest and most comfortable shooting position. The big billy was 610 yards at a fairly steep uphill angle. I ranged him, dialed, and waited for a broadside shot. Missed high again, twice.
Due to a lack of snow the ibex were significantly higher than they otherwise would be, this made getting close so much more difficult. Needless to say, I had practiced at these distances before and trusted my equipment, however, after a few misses, my confidence was shot. This is where I really credit my guide, as we made our way down the mountain, really feeling like I had let everyone down after our beautiful climb/stalk, he insisted on checking the rifle, "misses happen, its hunting, lets just make sure its not the rifle." We confirmed at 200 and then he insisted we check at 500 since it was evident most shots would not be closer than that. Bullseye. Not the rifle's problem. My confidence was up slightly.
We woke up the next morning and everyone had asked if I had felt the earthquake, I had, luckily only some rocks came off the mountains and the villagers were all safe. We spot some ibex close to the village, a lone billy, in the high 30's and not very old. I discuss with the wildlife ranger and my guide, we decide to keep looking for an older specimen. We spotted the group from two days before, they are relatively close to the same place we saw them before, this time the wind is a good and we decide this group is the one we need to go after since there are a few good options. We start moving up the valley. We reached a point were we would be exposed and perhaps spook the ewes, so we decide to hide ourselves underneath our local guides shawl, it works! We get into position and set up the rifle, I range the big billy, 595 yards. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my guide kneeling with palms open, in prayer. Im praying too, except Im behind the rifle. The billy was bedded, we wait him out. A few minutes later, everyone is getting ready for me to shoot. I break the silence with my gunshot, I see the impact slightly above the billy, I chamber a second round and hold a little lower and squeeze the trigger. Hes hurting and running the opposite direction of the herd, this is a good sign, except hes also gaining elevation.
We get confirmation through the radio that the billy is spotted and is hurting. We move up the valley quickly. A few hours later, we're able to put a second and final round into him. He fell. Literally, 2500 feet down into the valley we were coming up from. Thankfully, he doesnt break his horns but his face and body are pretty messed up.
We build a fire while the local guides work their way towards the ibex to retrieve him. Mountain side fires boost moral, and put everyone in good spirits. We get confirmation from the local guides that the horns are intact! We take pictures after the ibex is retrieved and we head back to camp for a celebration. The villagers are happy we got one, and they get a share of the meat. This was the first successful ibex hunt of the entire 2023-2024 season, 5 hunters before me had unfortunately not been able to connect with their billies.
We found out later that my rangefinding binoculars were shooting straight line distance and not horizontal equivalent. Sometimes thats the way it goes. I slept really well after we got off the mountain.
We then made our way back to Skardu to overnight then head to Islamabad and Karachi....
Im finally back stateside and heres a recap of the trip.
Flew into Islamabad from Houston, was met by Shikar rep and met my guide. He spoke great english and would be with me 24/7 during the trip, this was actually really cool since I was traveling by myself. We didnt waste any time and soon we were headed over to the domestic departures gate and boarding a flight to Skardu. 45 minutes later we were met by our driver in Skardu and started working our way to Hushe, a small village in the Karakorum Range, this small village sits roughly at 10,000 feet in elevation and serves as a starting point for many mountaineering expeditions. Masherbrum or K1 was the backdrop of this small village.
On the drive to Hushe, I got to see the Himalayan mountains contrasted against the Karakorum range - easily distinguished by its more jagged/sharp peaks, unlike the Himalayan which are "smoother" at the tops. Either way, huge mountains and quite intimidating. Shortly before we ran out of daylight we pulled over and checked my guns zero, it was sighted in at sea level so a small adjustment was made and we continued on our way.
The next morning we were radioed that the scouts had spotted a nice ibex, definitely one looking into, so off we went, an hour or so later of a fairly flat hike we had him in the spotting scope. Handsome billy, with a really dark coat, lonely up on the side of a mountain, but now way of closing the distance, we set up despite the steep angle and waited for him to turn, I dialed it and unfortunately missed way high, bad rest I thought, as did everyone else. Off we went, we glassed a few more different spots and then came across another band of billies. A nice group of 5 with one or two breaking the 40" mark, it was late in the day so we just videoed them and headed back to camp.
Its around this time that I started feeling nauseous, and ultimately had to throw up, but immediately felt better afterwards, and much credit to my guide "no headache, no problem" this guy was so positive! Everyone made sure I was alright and as soon as I got back to camp I popped some meds and went to bed, woke up feeling more energized but was very reserved in what I fed my body.
We went up to a second valley opposite of where we had hunted the day before and the scouts again spotted a group of ewes and billies, with a really exceptional ram in the group. We made a plan and off we went, two local guides, my guide and myself. We packed light and moved swiftly. A few hours later we were north of 13,000 feet and hiding behind some rocks figuring out where to set up to have the best rest and most comfortable shooting position. The big billy was 610 yards at a fairly steep uphill angle. I ranged him, dialed, and waited for a broadside shot. Missed high again, twice.
Due to a lack of snow the ibex were significantly higher than they otherwise would be, this made getting close so much more difficult. Needless to say, I had practiced at these distances before and trusted my equipment, however, after a few misses, my confidence was shot. This is where I really credit my guide, as we made our way down the mountain, really feeling like I had let everyone down after our beautiful climb/stalk, he insisted on checking the rifle, "misses happen, its hunting, lets just make sure its not the rifle." We confirmed at 200 and then he insisted we check at 500 since it was evident most shots would not be closer than that. Bullseye. Not the rifle's problem. My confidence was up slightly.
We woke up the next morning and everyone had asked if I had felt the earthquake, I had, luckily only some rocks came off the mountains and the villagers were all safe. We spot some ibex close to the village, a lone billy, in the high 30's and not very old. I discuss with the wildlife ranger and my guide, we decide to keep looking for an older specimen. We spotted the group from two days before, they are relatively close to the same place we saw them before, this time the wind is a good and we decide this group is the one we need to go after since there are a few good options. We start moving up the valley. We reached a point were we would be exposed and perhaps spook the ewes, so we decide to hide ourselves underneath our local guides shawl, it works! We get into position and set up the rifle, I range the big billy, 595 yards. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my guide kneeling with palms open, in prayer. Im praying too, except Im behind the rifle. The billy was bedded, we wait him out. A few minutes later, everyone is getting ready for me to shoot. I break the silence with my gunshot, I see the impact slightly above the billy, I chamber a second round and hold a little lower and squeeze the trigger. Hes hurting and running the opposite direction of the herd, this is a good sign, except hes also gaining elevation.
We get confirmation through the radio that the billy is spotted and is hurting. We move up the valley quickly. A few hours later, we're able to put a second and final round into him. He fell. Literally, 2500 feet down into the valley we were coming up from. Thankfully, he doesnt break his horns but his face and body are pretty messed up.
We build a fire while the local guides work their way towards the ibex to retrieve him. Mountain side fires boost moral, and put everyone in good spirits. We get confirmation from the local guides that the horns are intact! We take pictures after the ibex is retrieved and we head back to camp for a celebration. The villagers are happy we got one, and they get a share of the meat. This was the first successful ibex hunt of the entire 2023-2024 season, 5 hunters before me had unfortunately not been able to connect with their billies.
We found out later that my rangefinding binoculars were shooting straight line distance and not horizontal equivalent. Sometimes thats the way it goes. I slept really well after we got off the mountain.
We then made our way back to Skardu to overnight then head to Islamabad and Karachi....
