Pamir Highway keep aware
 

Dear Horizon readers and Pamir-riders

I am living in Osh/Kyrgyzstan and meet always bikers from the Pamirs here.
A recent story form a tourist with an incident at the 12. August near Jolondy towards the pass, made me write a warning here:

The case:
With a lucky escape they could pass through some burglars who wanted to tumble their motorbike. The intention behind that action was not quite clear.

What I recommend for the remaining season 2018:
- do not ride alone between Khorog and Murgab
- remind fellows on the road not ride alone
- be aware of cars without number plates in remote areas
- listen to your intuition, by a uncomfortable/uncertain/alert-feeling leave immediately
- if you stay over night with your tent hide yourselves from the main road - prevent unwanted attraction
- If you have experienced something bad, make a voice record with your chronological story shortly after your experience.
- if you recognize or experience strange things which could rely to burglary, kidnapping etc. (even with police), report it to your embassy in Central Asia.
- Last: do not post your crazy stories as the best online. This creates only a hype and fear and is not helpful. Rather supplement some security recommendations to this chat here and connect, for riding through the mentioned area.

Have a save trip and take care.
Dave

Thanks for your advice, which is good !!

I know this guy who told you thze story, I am also in touch with him about this situation.

In a german forum for travellers a friend of him wrote that 4 persons attacked him with weapons and they were IS fighters.
And I think this is bullshit.
First nemo never told me about weapons, i also asked him again for that.

Second, I really think it might have been people who wanted to steal money or maybe a complete misunderstanding.
Honestly, I was not at the spot when it happened, but i was at the same area the next day and also stopped at this place and never felt unsafe.
But we were 4 Bikes together.

If it would have been IS fighters, they dont try to get your bike, they try to kill you right away.
So I personally think, that the whole situation is not as bad as it seems the first moment.
If you are affected , you always fear and react different.

And another thing I want to write about:

After this attack 2 weeks ago, I could see lots of women ride pushbikes in shorts and very small tshirts ( like Bikinis )
Also a lot of cars from the Mongol Rallye you could see women with very short clothes and shirts.

Even this is a moderat muslim country, people really dont like that.

I really think that some kind of respect for the people living there is not asked to much for......

Hi Klaus

Thanks you for your additional information. That's helpful. And yes, it was never the issue about IS fighters or weapons otr whatever he like.

Cultural awareness how much skin people show is essential in this kind of region, even in Kyrgyzstan where I live.

Ok, I wish you a save trip. (The next time you're in Osh you have to come for a coffee to my shop)

Dave