Chitral (from ‘chetr’, basically translated as ‘field’ in the local language, Khowar) with snow covered Tirich Mir, at 25,230 ft (7,690 m) the highest peak in the Hindu Kush, in the background. It overlooks Chitral town and can be seen from the main bazaar. It can also be seen from Afghanistan. The mountain was first climbed in 1950 by a Norwegian expedition. According to a local legend, it is impossible to climb because of all the jinns, demons, witches and fairies who live on it.
The word Tirich Mir has its origin in the Wakhi language. In Wakhi ‘trich’ means shadow or darkness and ‘mir’ means king, so Tirich Mir means ‘king of darkness’. It got this name because it causes long shadows on the Wakhan side of its face.