The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek (KGLT) was no walk in the park! 80+ kms to be trekked over six days. Altitude oscillating from 7700 to 13750 feet. Several peaks and troughs each day (literally). Harpreet Singh (11222), Manav Wadhawan (7112) & I (along with our group of 11 others) faced new challenges every day on this trek.
Our group had 10 doctors and four lesser mortals, but the circuit was challenging for each one of us equally. From rains to snowstorms to -2-degree temperatures to steep climbs across rocky terrain to muddied slopes where our knees were falling apart as we tried not falling into gorges of unknown depth to cherry red noses and cheeks due to sunburns, we saw it all in the six days.
KGLT showcases a new set of lakes every day. Boy were they majestic! We came across at least nine lakes; each more magnificent than the other. Each day used to be a steep climb to the top of one peak after another to see the Great Lakes (Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, et all) and then a steep descent to the camp site to see another set (Satsar, Gangabal, Nundkol etc.)
KGLT is all about getting lost in the splendour of the heaven on earth, Kashmir, and in losing yourself exploring the human inside you – the adventurer who enjoys adversities in anticipation of the joy around the corner; the monk who feels complete with oodles of peace around; the child who wants to gather all the beauty outside within him for ever and ever.
With 14 of us together, no challenge was unsurmountable, and no peak was too far. Each of us have become brothers for life. KGLT is for keeps. Don’t miss out and reinvent yourself.
