Picnic at Coolzay & Trail # 5

7/31/2019 Picnic at Coolzay & Trail # 5

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Picnic @ Coolzay & Trail#5 Camping Site Page 1

Family Picnic at Coolzay and Trail # 5 Camping Site

(Coolzay Coordinates: 3344'03.94"N 73 02'10.33"E) Elev: 2,029 feet)

(Trail#5 Camp Coordinates: 3344'53.86"N 73 05'12.47"E) Elev: 2,072 feet)

3D Google Map of the two picnic locations in the Margalla Hills


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I usually say myFajrprayers before I start hiking. This does not in any way mean

that I am anywhere close to being aMoulvi. I personally feel that I am a true

representation of the devil on the planet and commit a sin as and when I deem

appropriate. Laughter! I just wanted to put the record straight as far as this issue

was concerned before my readers take me as a holy cow. Now lets jump to

something philosophical.

Events, big and small, occur as though the world was invented each morning

and retired each night, without a care for whats been, for the suffering and the

shattering dread and the way people held each other. Unfortunately, as a

nation we have stopped listening. We have lost our capacity to be surprised, to

be taught. The solutions really lie within us; we are the strength, with capacities.

But to do this we have to be humble. And we are anything but humble.

My father, who turned 81 last March 2012 (May he live long with health), is

visiting us fromKarachithese days & I tell you it is so much fun hanging aroundhim and providing him company. The children are going bonkers with dada

baba aka Grand Dad around and it becomes rather difficult to differentiate at

times as to who is younger; my kids or my father. They argue, they fight for the

remote control of the idiot box aka TV and the newspaper. I actually get great

spiritual revelations just from watching them when they go to sleep.

Three generations in one mad house. We belong to the Qadri silsilah of Shaikh

Abdul Qadir Jilani. All Jalalis. All Shaikhs. Under one roof top. And its fun!!! I can

go on and on and on!

He usually rises early while we are on our way to school or work. My wife makes

him porridge, toasted bread, sometimes eggs and he enjoys his cup of tea with

his morning newspaper. He waits for the kids to come home and plays with them

and once I am home from work, we enjoy supper together with a hot cup of

tea, discuss politics and then he takes one of my sons for a walk.

On the weekend, we drive him around and since he cannot walk much due to

arthritis; we tend to go to places where he does not have to walk much. Three

weeks ago, I took him to one of his old friend who has lately moved to

Islamabadand all three of us ended up discussing politics while pitying the

nation. Last Saturday, we had Halva& Puri together in F-10 at Jamil Sweets

while on Sunday evening we hadbarbequeat home. In other words, Dada is

having a ball with us & we are loving it. Oops. Reminds you ofMcDonalds!
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I am making the most of his trip here since he usually comes for a month or two

fromKarachiand it is a wonderful experience to be with him at that age when

all he need is our love and affection. He prays all the time for the health and

prosperity of my family and thus the devils are staying away for the time being

while he is around.

Now lets move onwards to the particular topic of this article. While we werereturning from our hike with Dr. Fahim Hashmi and Wing Cdr. Gohar on Trail 4B

i.e. theFaisal MosqueTrek on 31st March 2012, we reached a place about a 45

minutes walk before the end of the trek and named it Coolzay. Cool as in

cool and Zay is aPashtoword meaning Place. It was so cool probably due to

a natural spring, thus I named it Coolzay. We had decided that we will come

back and have a family picnic here later.

Thus, come Saturday 7th April 2012; Wing Cdr. Gohar, Dr. Fahim Hashmis family

and mine decided to have a picnic at Coolzay. We got up at 7:30 a.m. and

after having a sumptuous breakfast ofOmeletteandParatha, left the house at

9:00 a.m. First we attended a parent-teacher meeting at theCity School, F-11

campus (where my children and salary go) between 9:1510:00 a.m. We then

reached the parking lot behindFaisal Mosqueclose to the famousKuwaithostel

ofInternational Islamic University(IIU), picked up a small fight with the guards

there while parking but decided to leave our macho egoistic selves in the

parking lot & continued for our 45 minutes1 hour journey towards the chosen

hideout. This is the only marker leading to the Trail # 4B. We passed through here

around 11:00 a.m.

(The marker which shows that you are on the right path)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushtohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushtohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushtohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omeletshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omeletshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omeletshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parathahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parathahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parathahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_School_(Pakistan)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_School_(Pakistan)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_School_(Pakistan)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Islamic_University,_Islamabadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Islamic_University,_Islamabadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Islamic_University,_Islamabadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Islamic_University,_Islamabadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_School_(Pakistan)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parathahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omeletshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushtohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachi


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This trail is also known as the E7 orFaisal Mosquetrail. Little used, in part because it is

so difficult to find the trailhead. Head to the car park to the rear of the Faisal

Mosque, and look for a gate with a MargallaTree Plantation Project sign next to it.

Head through the gate, take the first right, then right again (at a grey metal box

with a hole in the top) through a small clearing and turn left at the end. Walk north

towards a large concrete water storage tank, and walk to the right of this on to a

well-defined path (GPS coordinates 33.73 41 12, 73.03 84 21) from here it should

be plain sailing. This trail wind its way up to the ridge, where you can turn right and

reach thePir Sohawaroad, near the turn-off forTalharvillage. It takes about 2 hours

to get to the top (but not with Ayesha; my little daughter).

(Mohsin, right past the trail head)

Within 40 minutes of brisk walking, we reached most of the flowering trees like Bauhinia variegata,Ficus carica,and trees likePinus roxburghii, Quercus

leucotrichophoraand took a short water break here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margalla_Hillshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margalla_Hillshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margalla_Hillshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pir_Sohawahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pir_Sohawahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pir_Sohawahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhinia_variegatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhinia_variegatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_fighttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_fighttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_fighttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_roxburghiihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_roxburghiihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_roxburghiihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_incanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_incanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_incanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_incanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_incanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_roxburghiihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_fighttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhinia_variegatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pir_Sohawahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margalla_Hillshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosque


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(The happy picnickers captured by Adil Shaikh)

By 11:53 a.m. the bushes were getting thicker, the walk steeper and the pace of

the ladies had started to slow down.

(The flora, caught on my Olympus 7.1 MP camera)


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(Which then of the bounties of your Lord will ye deny? Chap 55: Verse 18,Al-Quran)

Although we had been here just a fortnight before and had almost thought that

we know the place like the back of our hand but we were sadly mistaken. Wehad thoroughly lost our way by 1:15 p.m. But with our never ending

perseverance, we found the Sirat-e-Mustaqeem (The righteous path) and

reached the destination albeit a few minutes late. I am always better than I

think and stronger than I believe.

Although, we wanted to go slightly further up to the Natural Spring but the ladies

protested and we ended up choosing the next best alternative and parked our

picnic gear at this spot around 1:45 p.m.

(Our picnic spot)

Out came the lunch, which comprised of two types of curry, Roghni & plain Nan

(Bread), drinks etc. and we feasted to our hearts content till we had the devils
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran


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honey, olives, dates, figs and my family. Yeah, heaven on earth for a rascal like

me. If wishes were horses! Around 3:21 p.m. we took this picture on the way

back.

(Now you know how I define heaven)

By 3:47 p.m. we had descended all the way on the Trail4B behindFaisal

Mosque, and took this last picture.

(Myself, Ayesha, Dr. Hashmi, Adil and Mohsin in the backdrop)

We reached our cars around 4:30 p.m. exhausted and after exchanging good

byes & farewells with Wing Cdr. Gohar & Dr. Hashmis family, we headed home

while reaching there around 5:00 p.m.

To live is to experience things, not sit around pondering the meaning of l ife.

Looking at the weather forecast on the eve of 14th April 2012; we were again
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Mosque


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tempted by the weather pattern to have a little picnic at the Trail # 5

Camping site on the following day i.e. 15th April 2012. This place we had

earmarked on the way back from our hike on this particular trek on 24th

December, 2011 and had decided that we would come have abarbequehere

sometimes later.

We got up at 8:30 a.m. Had the usual Anda-Paratha (read Omelette-Paratha)breakfast and left the house at 11:10 a.m. Got in theCNGline at the G-11

Markaz and after filling her up; we reached the parking lot of Trail # 5 at 12:05

p.m. As usual, we took the first picture and started walking towards the camp

site.

(Here we go again)

Before I forget to confess that in order to have a picnic, go hiking, take a tour;

our family is never dependent on other friends and their families etc. We

appreciate the fact that we live in modern times, in a busy world where people

have their own sweet priorities and we cant expect them to follow our

schedule. We try & invite friends to our escapades; if they come fine, if they

dont; we still get on with life and have a blast. Life is like that!
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(Take only pictures; leave only footprints)

Ayesha was in her usual mood to frolic and left no opportunity to get herself

included in all the pictures that I was to take enroute the camping site.

(Our little tour guide)

By 12:20 p.m. we had reached the camping site and had already ignited the

fire for thebarbeque.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbecuehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbecuehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbecuehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbecue


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(The Shaikh couple at the camping site)

Suddenly, around 12:40 p.m. when the Chickens were coming home to roost,

we realized that we had forgotten to bring Nan (Bread) along with us. I wasthoroughly disgusted with this faux pas since it is always my responsibility to

arrange for Nan and cold drinks etc.

While I was to take care of the fire that was burning within and without, Sabeen

(my wifey) volunteered to rush toKohsar marketand get the Nan. Mohsin also

sprang to accompany Mamma around 12:45 p.m. Poor them, they had to walk

all the way to the car park, rush to the Nan shop, came back and walked back

again from the car park to the camping site.

(Baby can you light my fire?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohsar_Markethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohsar_Markethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohsar_Markethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohsar_Market


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While both Mamma and Mohsin were away, I tried to contain the fire. They

returned with hot Nan around 1:05 p.m. while in the meantime I had barbequed

the chicken and thekebabs. Lunch was thus served hot and tender and we ate

to our hearts content.

(Food is all we came here for)

After lunch we had a hot cup ofcardamomtea around 2:15 p.m. which we

made on the burning coal while the children played in the camping grounds.

Right after we finished having lunch, a group of college students swarmed the

place. They had two tents set up in the camping ground and started returning

from the Trail # 5. We had some 4 extra cups of tea and thus shared with them

and they were delighted to take this family picture of ours.

(The famous five after the lunch)
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By 2:25 p.m., we packed our stuff and started to return. Adil & Mohsin wanted to

check out what lied ahead of this marker and thus we took a three minutes

walk to go see the pine sit out.

(Ayesha & Mohsin at the Pine Sit out marker)

After further walking back towards the car park, we encountered a small yet old

mosque and took this picture around 2:34 p.m.

(An old mosque in Darra Janglan)

While slowly walking back, we reached the car park around 2:45 p.m. and

finally reached home around 3:00 p.m., offered our lateZuhrprayers and

relaxed.

Between robbery, work, education and travel, I have lost so many things that

now I begin to say good bye to something almost as soon as I buy it. While on
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the subject of buying, Adil my older one has turned 13 on 8th May 2012 and

amongst other things that he wanted as his birthday present; I bought him a

small trekkers bag of his own and he now carries his own oranges, water, towel,

cap,compass,Swiss knife,whistleetc. A grown up young man, huh!

Shaikh Muhammed Ali

E-mail:[email protected]

Cell: +00-92-321-5072996

26th May 2012, 7:55 p.m. (PST)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compasshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compasshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compasshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_knifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_knifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_knifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistlehttp://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=554425819http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=554425819mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=554425819http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_knifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass

Picnic at Coolzay & Trail # 5

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