A young man is missing from almost a week now after he went trekking with his friends to the popular alpine lake of Gangbal in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The young man is doing PHD, in good sound and mind and with mild religious and political inclination.
Only a few days ago about 200 trekkers formed scores of teams to look for the missing man. Whether or not they find him is a matter of luck. As long as our memory does not betray us, we had a similar story with a trio of trekkerz who were sitting on a glacier when suddenly glacier started drifting into the main lake of Kaunsarnag. After hectic efforts of an army helicopter the two stranded boys were airlifted to a safer location. Then, the death of a then KAS officer while on a trekking mission is fresh on our memories.
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The fact is that mountains demand respect. The trekkers worldwide irrespective of their years of experience never underestimate a mountain. The amateurs go there with the beginners zeal and tend to overdo things while the mountain demands the things to be kept simple.
We hope the young man is found soon. However, we would press upon the greenhorn trekkers to follow a strict safety protocol while climbing mountains. First and foremost, every trekking trip be registered with the nearest police station and identity of every trekker be showing both while climbing up and down the route. Secondly, on the personal level the team must always move in groups and for no reason should a team member be left alone in the woods. Besides, the team should always carry woolens, raincoats, ropes, an extra pair of shoes always handy as the weather on mountains changes in a moment of minutes.
We wish everyone a happy trekking on our mountains. Take precautions. Stay safe.
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