The Great Awakening at Kashmir Great Lakes: Pawan’s Trek Experience with Thrillophilia
“This dream has never left my side. I know I will become an Explorer someday. But I am not ready yet.”
These were Pawan’s words.
He had shared this with his trek mates on the way to Sonmarg from Srinagar. Their trek was to start the day after, the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, and each of the team members was preparing for the same.
They heard Pawan’s dream in silence.
“I dreamt that I am climbing a very steep mountain, and I am about to reach the top. I couldn't see anything beyond the top, the inclination of the trail was so much, but I was determined to reach the top. When I did, all I could see was an endless land… the rest was blurry. I could make out the mountain peaks in the distance, too hidden behind thick clouds.”
“Then? What did you do?”
“I looked down and found a gorge. I wanted to go down, but I did not see any road…and…then I woke up.”
That night everyone went to sleep with the hope of never having to get stuck in a place from where there was no road.
The Reality
Their climb to Shekdur and Nichnai from Sonmarg went fine. But, on the day of trekking from Nichnai to Vishansar lake, they encountered rainfall. Now, everyone expected the slopes to be slippery and everyone was walking very carefully. And then suddenly, they heard a growl.
It was growing louder and louder and louder, and then suddenly their trek leaders started moving forward bit by bit, and they saw that there has been a landslide.
The peak season of June comes with the dangers of monsoon in the mountains.
The landslide had blocked a certain part of their trail, and the fear of Pawan’s dream looked as if it had turned into a dark reality. The trek leaders went ahead and figured out a way to bypass the area. They did so, with a considerable amount of difficulty.
Pawan’s turn came.
The new-discovered road included using your all fours to climb up the adjacent mountain, and then descend from the other side. While climbing, Pawan got glimpses from his real dream…this climb was feeling exactly the same as his dreams. He reached the top somehow and looked down. The descent was more steep, and he had no choice but to start his way down this only road.
He took his first steps, and he slipped a bit. He gained control soon enough but his heart started beating too fast. His breaths became heavy and his stomach churned.
It took him sometime, but steadily, he could do it.
After this he realised one thing.
Even in his dream, going down the steep path which he was so afraid of, was the only way to save himself. All he needed to do was overcome his fear, and take the leap.
That night he could not sleep. It was biting cold outside but still he wanted to go out of the camp. Wearing the jacket he crawled his way out of the camp and he saw that the entire Vishansar lake was lit up with moonlight in front of him. It was a scenery he had never expected to witness.
It cast a spell on him. He sat there by the bank of the lake for sometime, thinking about the incident earlier that day. Perhaps this is what was lacking- the trust upon himself that he can do it. He needed to be brave and face the challenges upfront.
That is what being an explorer is all about, tackling whatever comes on the way with a strong spirit.
That night, before going off to bed again, he knew he had unlocked the key to the dream. He was ready.
A soulful journey
The rest of the journey from Vishansar lake to Gadsar lake and then crossing the first glacier of the trek to Satsar lake, was mesmerising and at the same time, tiring. The days of climbing passes were difficult, and the ones where they just had to walk the valleys went awesome.
But each and every lake they came across filled us up with wonder. Such a colour, and such an addition to the spectacular scenery!
The Gangabal twin lakes were a treat to the eyes as well, marking the last two lakes of this trek.
This journey gave clarity to Pawan, and for this reason he was all the more enthusiastic on this trek. After the landslide day he had broken out of all shells with the spirit of facing challenges as they come.
The trip awakened him.
The last night of camping was made memorable with some dance and music, hearing which a nearby nomad joined them. He sat with them for a long time, singing some kashmiri tunes and talking about his livelihood while they listened to him in awe.
The next day they descended to Srinagar crossing many traditional hamlets where they had their authentic Kashmiri lunch as well.
This trek brought to Pawan some life-changing events and moments. So, with a smile that said ‘I will forever be grateful to you’, he bid adieu to Heaven on Earth.
Read More: Thrillophilia Kashmir Trek Reviews