ON AN ALL-TIME high

Green pines, endless pasturelands and an arena of high mountain vistas, ADIL LANGOO was rewarded with a palette of colours every single day as he traversed the relaxing terrain of Kashmir

- ADIL LANGOO

The Ascent

We started early in the morning; clad in backpacks, trekking suits, boat hats and sticks, we felt cheerful and hopeful of finishing the trek on time. The weather was pleasant; a thick line of clouds scattered about and gave way to a reluctant sunshine.

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek starts from Naranag—a small hamlet wedged between two mountain lines. The place holds the ruins of an 8th-century temple, a disused shivling, a spring and a few stone carvings. The trail starts near this temple and winds up through pine trees ascending right from the hem of Butshiri Mountain. The steepness of Butshiri hides in its snaky trail and a patch of pine trees.

The first day of the trek was strenuous. The steepness was felt in a few metres as everyone started panting, resting after every few steps. The ponies and porters ascended the way one descends, brisk like someone in a hurry.

I was a little apprehensive to embark on this trek; a little reluctant to take on the ardent task of walking up the mountains, gasping for breath. But then a thought crossed my mind. What could transport one from the daily hustle-bustle and brooding routines to something refreshing and new? The answer was right in front of me. I joined the trek with a ‘mixed group’—men, women, Indians, Malaysians and others from different corners of the world.

First Steps

As the toll of ascending got heavier on us, some started ruing the thought of coming from afar places to this exhaustion, some thought it was better to go around tourist places, sitting in cosy hotel rooms and roaming around in cabs. But the trail turned easier after Butshiri Top. It opens itself onto Trunkhol Meadow—a beautiful patch of grassy land circled by mountains.