Beyond the Horizon

Adventures bring numerous advantages; elevate our fitness goals, establish and enjoy camaraderie, create a sense of calm and order. By taking responsibility, fostering accountability, and developing a strong mindset, we can take calculated risks, rise to the occasion, and endure challenging hardships. Ultimately, these experiences help us to achieve our purpose and peace of mind. In addition to this, it shouldn’t impose extra financial burden on others who aspire to join us. None should feel they are deceived and have to fork out money. The vast and vibrant realms of Nature, full of wonder and awe are available everywhere. It offers us a platform where we can embrace new journeys to explore and unfold its secrets and scenic beauty. In a way it helps us to unwind and detoxify our stressful minds. It provides us opportunities to face and remain resilient in the challenging situations. In the process, we meet our true selves; find what we are capable of. This path of self discovery is necessary to remain sane and serious about what we are supposed to give back to our society and protect mother nature, which nourishes the unsettling souls.

Nature is a divine retreat. Its accessibility should be affordable. At present, inflation is skyrocketing and unemployment is also alarmingly high. The menace of drug addiction has taken deep and dreadful roots in our society. The obnoxious behaviour and bullying are still persistent on the roads. We know the current cascade of crises.

As stakeholders of adventure community we should put painstaking efforts to promote healthy and helpful endeavors. Be reasonable and responsible, as this approach will benefit everyone. These initiatives will instil desires and discipline among the youth, encouraging them to immerse themselves in the spiritual beauty of Nature. In the larger scheme of things, the exigent need of the hour is to make our connection with nature an economical and encouraging affair for everyone, rather than a costly, confined, and clichéd experience.

We are putting our best foot forward and work towards the greater good of the society; promoting tourism in J&K and inspiring youth towards adventure sports is what we strive for. Going forward with our mission to arrange and manage economical treks, this time we decided to explore Katarnag 2 as last year we could only reach upto Katarnag 1, as the former Alpine lake was heavily snow-bound and inaccessible. This time we decided to explore it and also Sosirwan lakes via steep Sosirwan pass. On 6th October 2024, Team Badamwari Atheletes and Crampon Adventures jointly embarked on a remarkable journey to add another triumph to our belt. We were not sure what the prevalent erratic weather could bring forth. Undeterred by the unpredictable weather and pre-departure rains from Srinagar, we ventured forth with hope and optimism. Departing Srinagar at 5 a.m., the weather seemed favorable, setting the stage for an unforgettable adventure. Our resolve was clear: to savor every moment, regardless of Nature’s mood.

As we travelled through the scenic route, the 17-seater New Urbania (FORCE) ensured a luxurious comfort, making our arrival in Aru a delightful experience. At Aru, during our pre-trek preparations, it was icing on the cake as our newly married friend ‘Sofi Sam’ distributed sweets. It added a touch of joy and jubilation. Following our celebrations, we embarked on a quaint, winding trail from Aru Valley, which winds its way through the rolling meadow of Khoothpathri. The pleasant weather and breathtaking beauty of this pristine place made our hike both easy and enriching.

We felt so light and totally engrossed in the surreal beauty of the trail that, within no time, we reached ‘Gaash Angan’, where we savored ‘Phir Saal’ fruit cakes with a tasty tea blended with chocolates and coffee while keenly listening to the serenades of the gurgling Gerwar Nala, which flows on the right of the meadow and originates from Katarnag. Adjacent to it are the Nafran Valley, Arampathri, and Dikya Nala. From there, we can also take a trail to Kon Nag and Harbaghwan. The captivating charm of the terraced Dhokas and the mesmerizing views of this vast expanse stole our hearts.

Beyond ‘Gaash Angan’ trail traverses through a rugged terrain.We navigated with the support and guidance of our front leaders Sahil Qayoum and Showkat Kashmiri. Zahid Kota managed the middle of the pack, while Noman Bashir Lone and Sohail Khan brought up the rear. By 11:30 AM, we reached Katarnag Lake 1, situated at 3,732 meters. After a brief rest, we pushed on towards the daunting Sosriwan Pass. Despite the difficulty, the team conquered this formidable stretch with relative ease, reaching the pass’s summit at 4,130 meters around 1.00 PM.

Here, in the ethereal beauty of floating clouds, we were treated to breathtaking vistas of Katarnag 1&2, Sosriwan lakes, and Mount Kolahoi. However, our wonder was tempered by the heartbreaking sight of the drastic decline in water levels of these Alpine lakes. Just a few years ago, they were teeming with water and seemed boundless, making their current state all the more poignant. After spending 45 minutes at the Sosriwan pass, we began our descent at 1.45 PM. Following a well-deserved rest and lunch break at Katarnag 1, We commenced our final descent at 3:30 PM, arriving back at Aru by 6:30 PM. The challenging route covered approximately 19.50 kilometers round trip, with an impressive elevation gain of about 2,000 meters.

This trek, classified as moderate to hard, showcased the raw beauty of Kashmir’s high-altitude landscapes while testing the limits of our endurance. We did hard yards to get it done and dusted. Let’s continue exploring and providing opportunities for our youth, making experiences affordable and achievable. We must also strive to make a redeeming difference by adopting a rational and responsible approach to preserve our fragile ecosystem. We have to have lay it on the line,voice the pressing concerns having adverse consequences due to the impact of erratic weather patterns that have left our Alpine lakes, streams and rivers in a horrible state. It is imperative for all of us to take the lead and mitigate the devastating impact of climate chang. Failure to do so will lead to a future where disasters will become the norm.