Itinerary

Though the adventure has already begun through the long planning process, the expedition will start when we meet up in Kashgar. There, we will need to connect with ground agent who will introduce us to our Translator and Liason Officer. The next step will be to inventory all supplies and double check the food. From Kashgar we will proceed in three heavy-duty refitted land cruisers through Mazar, and further south past Dahongliutan for easier access to the Aksai Chin peaks. By the time we set up Base Camp, we will already be on the road for five or six days.

There are quite a few mining and military tracks on the northern edges of the Kunlun, so perhaps they should provide some access towards the Aksai Chin peaks. Armed with coordinates and advice from previous expeditions, we will have to take our chances discovering the differences between the maps and the actual terrain. Thin blue hairlines on the map can easily turn out to be impassable glacial runoff. The maps also neglect to indicate the difference between surfaces such as mud and quicksand, both of which will eagerly swallow any vehicle up to its axles.

The actual itinerary, starting from Kashgar will look like the following:

Day	Activity
1	Arrival in Kashgar, stay in Seman Hotel
2	Preparation, Sightseeing day in Kashgar
3	Jeep transport from Kashgar to Yecheng, stay in Electricity Hotel
4	Jeep transport from Yecheng to Dahongliutan, stay in local lodge
5	Jeep transport from Dahongliutan to end of military tracks, wilderness camp
6 - 7	Jeep transport from end of tracks to Base Camp
8 - 32	Climbing period at Aksai Chin: Acclimatize on any of several unnamed, unclimbed 6000m peaks nearby, with ultimate goal of Aksai Chin West (6514m). Contingency peaks include Aksai Chin Far West (6531m) as well as unclimbed peaks Dahongliutan I & II nearer to Route 219 in case of access difficulties.
33 - 36	Jeep transport from Base Camp to Kashgar, camps and hotels on the way
37	Rest and celebration day in Kashgar
38	End of expedition, leaving for home