My love for Mother Nature took me to Azad Jammu and Kashmir this year, we a group of 40 people set a daunting task to conquer Lake Chitta Katha in the Shounter Valley and do 10-Pushups for Pakistan and for our armed forces. We started our journey on August 15, 2016 from International Islamic University Islamabad main campus for Neelum Valley. We had a seven day trip to explore AJK. During our first four days we explored Ratti Galli Lake, Sharda, Kel and Tao Butt. All these places were mesmerizing but our main challenge was Lake Chitta Katha. On the fifth day we came back from Tao Butt to Kel and hired jeeps for Shounter Valley a base camp for Chitta Katha Lake. The jeeps cost us 7500 round trip for three days. We reached Shounter Valley Tent village at about 2: 30 hrs from Kel. It was tough journey because of unpaved roads. The road to Shounter is worst of the worst and very dangerous as compare to other roads in the valley. It is advisable to take jeeps in good condition with comfy seats. We had a group of 40 people; the tent village had the capacity for more than 50. From this base camp you can hire guide for the lake and food is also available. We had our own arrangements for the food but we hired tents on cheap rates because it was off season. We paid 6000-/Rs per night for 40 people at this tent village.
The next morning at 6: 30 am after breakfast we started our voyage for Chitta Katha Lake. After crossing a Nullah and a first steep we reached a place called DAK-1. It is a village and a camp site. We reached there in almost 03:00 hours. We continued our journey and after one hour we reached another valley called DAK-2. This is also a campsite for those who would like to divide their journey to Lake Chitta Katha and take rest here at DAK-2. But we had no plans for rest. We planned to do it in a single day. So our group continued journey towards Lake Chitta Katha. From DAK-2 onwards the track to lake is very tough. A few students with us came back from third steep. But most of us continued our journey and crossed the third steep in 4 hours. Third steep drained us wholly. We lost our stamina at this point. But our unwavering motivation and hunger to see Lake Chitta Katha pushed us forward.
From there onwards we took almost 02:00 hours to the Lake. When we saw Chitta Katha Lake we got refreshed and energetic. The first thing we did was thanked Allah All Mighty Who gave us strength to reach at this amazing place and did 10-pushups for Pakistan, our institution IIUI and Pakistan Army. The 10-Pushups were a token of appreciation for our gallant forces and the people of Pakistan. After spending an hour at the lake we decided to move back because it was getting dark. We rushed back to DAK-1 Campsite and reached there before Maghreb prayer. We decided to hire a camp at DAK-1 and stayed there for a night, because we were exhausted and completely worn-out because of the tough hiking. Moreover, it was difficult to hike at night in the jungle for obvious reasons. The owner of the camp provided us with food and water and we slept peacefully without any trouble. The next morning we woke up at 06:00 am and moved towards our base camp. We took almost 02:30 hours to reach there. Everyone in the camp congratulated us for this achievement and it was like top of the world feeling.
This journey was one of the tough but best of the best in my life. It was tough, long hike but at the same time the trail to Lake Chitta Katha is exceptionally beautiful, full of natural flowers of different kind, gigantic waterfalls, amazing river streams and striking lush green meadows. The Lake Chitta Katha is located at 13,500ft above the sea level; it is surrounded by ice packed glaciers and the greenish water of the lake gives a mesmerizing look. It was a journey of lifetime and I would recommend if you want eternal peace you must visit this place. The Mother Nature would embrace you in her arms and you would feel out of the world.
It is advisable for the aspirants to take basic items with them and divide this journey in two days. Dak-2 is the best site for camping. In addition everyone must be equipped with good pair of hiking shoes, hiking stick, dates, dry fruits, water, juices preferably energy drinks, torch, and rain coat.
Main group members
Masood Ur Rehman Khattak- (Author), Ausaf Chaudhary, Usman Chaudhary, Saad, Muzamil, Saif, Sabih, Ihtesham, Usman, Ahmad, Mansoor, Rauf, Majid, Inam, Hasan, Sherzaman and others.
Author is Lecturer in the Department of Politics and I.R, International Islamic University Islamabad. He could be reached at masood.khatak@gmail.com.
