Khunjerab Pass lies between China and Pakistan; between Xinjiang and Baltistan; between Kashgar and Gilgit. At 4700 metres it’s the highest paved international border.
In August 1986 the border had only just opened to non-locals, and we were reaching the end of four long hard months of travel in China, taking the Karakoram Highway into northern Pakistan.
For unknown reasons there were delays and an enforced three-day stay at the Chinese border post, just short of Khunjerab Pass. I recall the place name as Pireli, although it does seem to have been airbrushed from history. Conditions were primitive but of spectacular beauty.
It was here, via my Sony shortwave radio, on BBC World Service, that I first heard of Suzanne Vega
Peter, his blog 