The life of an adventurer and an explorer can be captivating and inspiring. From uncovering
the wild forests in the remote jungles of Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal range and Kashmir to
the wilds of unfamiliar cold deserts of Ladakh and the high altitude plains and plateau of
Spiti and Lahual of Himachal Pardesh. But what drives them to explore the unknown, and why do they risk their lives to do so?
One of the adventurers from the small town of Doda (Jammu and Kashmir) is Zaid Balwan. Zaid began exploring the world around him at a young age. Mountains and their sky-touching heights have always fascinated him from a very young age, and he has had the opportunity to visit some incredible places. Zaid has crossed oceans, breached over nearly twenty-five major Indian passes during his expedition dubbed “The Pass Raiders,” traversed the deserts of Rajasthan to the cold deserts of Ladakh, and climbed various mountains in pursuit of the unknown.
Zaid belongs to Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir and has been exploring the world around him, particularly the mountains that have fascinated him since a young age since 2014. Zaid has explored the deserts of Rajasthan and the cold deserts of Ladakh. He says his motivation for taking such risks began with the idea and question of “Chenab’s Birth.” Being native to Doda, a town located in the Himalayas near the river Chenab, the questionable curiosity of Chenab’s birth ignited the spark of the hunt.
Due to the unavailability of source information, a route map, and a crucial time of study at that time, the pursuit was limited. But at the right time, with proper route knowledge through digital maps, the journey to the daring adventure started. Zaid began his journey in search of a quest in the Himachal Pradesh districts of Lahaul and Spiti. As soon as he crossed Rohtang La Pass, near Manali, he reached Sissu Village. The Chandra River, the first tributary of the mighty Chenab, was visible flowing through the glaciers of Spiti.
Heading towards Bara Lach La pass, also known as the “Gateway of Ladakh,” another tributary of the Bhagha river was before the eyes. At Tandi village, the two tributaries merged to form the Chenab River (called Chandra Bhagha in Himachal). Still, the question of Chenab’s birth remained, and the journey continued to the Himalayan glacier of Bara Lach La, where the lake responsible for the Bhagha River “Sooraj Tal” formed. Sooraj Tal, also known as Tso Kambi, is the third highest lake in India, standing at an elevation of 16040 feet above sea level. So the place called “Birth of Chenab” was before the eyes of the explorer.
On that day, Zaid realised that exploring the unknown was his true passion. Since then, he has devoted a portion of his life to it.
Zaid has faced numerous challenges during his expeditions, ranging from the physical
dangers of extreme terrains, such as visiting the World’s Highest Motorable Pass, Umling
La Pass, at an altitude of 19024 feet, to driving through the breathtaking cliffs of Padder,
District Kishtwar, which was once the World’s Most Dangerous Road and is not for the
faint of heart, but offers a thrilling drive along its winding roads. Along with the mental
hurdles of loneliness and fatigue Zaid Balwan has persevered through these obstacles
and emerged victorious, with incredible stories and a wealth of knowledge that can be
shared with others.
With the intention of covering all the fascinating mountain passes of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, the expedition began in the year 2020, following the Lockdown of COVID-19.
The majors covered in this expedition were Umlingla, Khardung la, Kunzam Pass, Sach
Pass, Rohtang La, Nakeela Pass, Fotu La Pass, Baralach La, Zoji La, Sinthan Pass, Namika
Pass, Tangla Pass, Narbula Pass, Banihal Pass, Lachalung La, Niti Pass, Indrahar Pass,
Rezang La, Debra Pass, Sela Pass, Hamta Pass, Kahuli Galu Pass, Padri Jot, and many
others. The expedition started in 2020, and the adventurer is still looking to cover most
of the other passes till date.
The lack of sponsorship, the impact on studies, and the management of the business limit the adventure. Zaid Balwan has helped to connect local and global communities through the stories and experiences shared on his social media accounts.
During the expedition, Zaid Balwan interacted with a number of tourists from around the globe who shared their experiences. During his trek to Rohtang La near Manali, the concept of trek adventure sports was introduced to him, and he attended workshops on mountaineering and rock climbing. After that, more than 13 successful land and snow treks have been completed by him in Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir.
Now, the adventurer has enrolled in the Jawarharlal Institute of Mountaineering [JIM] to complete his Basic Mountaineering Course, which will allow him to register his trek club with the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department. The “Chenab Adventure and Trek Club” might be the Chenab Valley’s first registered trek club. He has also chosen the “Siachen Galcier Trek” organised by the Indian Army’s Adventure Wing. The final selection is subject to clearance of medical fitness before leaving. Siachen, being the highest battleground in the world, comes with life-threatening obstacles like hypothermia as the temperature drops to -40 degrees.
After the successful completion of the Basic Mountaineering Course, this adventurer
wants to come forward for the Advanced Mountaineering Course. The ultimate goal of
this adventurer from a small town in J&K is to reach Mount Everest, which stands at 8848
meters.
Planning a trip to Mount Everest is a thrilling adventure in and of itself. Being
aware of the fact that the journey to the peak of Mount Everest is long and arduous and
requires careful planning, preparation, and a lot of money. It is essential to be well-equipped and physically fit for the journey, as it is both dangerous and demanding.
If the dream of this adventurer comes true, it will bring laurels to the whole region, state, and India as well. As of now, only 526 Indian nationals and two J&K residents have
successfully completed the summit. The summit was completed by these two from
Jammu and Kashmir in 2021 with government sponsorship, as the average cost of
completing the summit is 50-60 lacs and takes months. Overall, a trip to Mt. Everest is an incredible, rewarding experience and an adventure of a lifetime.
