Adventurers conquer Banihal top in gruelling winter expedition

Srinagar, Dec 17: In an extraordinary display of human endurance and mountaineering skill, a three-member team from the Pathfinder group completed a challenging cycling and sky-running expedition to Banihal Top, also known as Peer Baba, on December 15.

The expedition, led by Tanveer Khan, alongside team members Harshpal Singh and renowned cyclist Jolly Jaleed, transformed a 22-kilometer stretch from Lower Munda into a test of physical and mental resilience against the unforgiving winter landscape of the Pir Panjal range.

"We set out to conquer the last motorable mountain pass in Kashmir," Khan recounted, describing the journey as a battle against nature's most formidable elements. The team faced a gauntlet of challenges, from crisp winter winds that "bit like daggers" to treacherous frozen road stretches that turned each step into a calculated risk.

The ascent, climbing a grueling 1,000 meters, pushed the adventurers to their absolute limits. Snow-covered roads concealed icy patches, making every forward movement a potential hazard. The notorious winds sweeping through the Pir Panjal range added another layer of difficulty, creating what Khan described as a "battleground of survival."

After three punishing hours of relentless determination, the team reached the summit of Banihal Top. The panoramic view of endless Pir Panjal peaks served as a breathtaking reward for their extraordinary effort.

Classified as a moderate to hard expedition, the journey not only tested the team's physical capabilities but also showcased the raw, untamed beauty of Kashmir's high-altitude terrain. More significantly, it highlighted the immense potential for adventure tourism in a region often overlooked for its extreme sporting possibilities.