c u on top - satyabrata dam

UN lists 193 countries as official member states. Of these I have been to 191, the two exceptions being Pakistan (where they won’t let me go) and North Korea (where I don’t want to go). Then there is Vatican City and State of Palestine, which are not UN members but have the status of a country nevertheless in the form of non-member observer state. I have been to both. That leaves Kosovo, which has a funny fluid state in terms of a sovereign state. Around 100 countries recognize it as an independent country, but others don’t. Geographically it is still a part of Serbia but has its own international borders that are recognized by most EU states. I have been to Kosovo too, twice, since it is a beautiful place, whether it’s a country or not.   Now as you all know, one of the primary reasons for me to visit any new country is to get to the top of it and in most of the cases I have succeeded in this endeavor. As far as memory serves there might be around two dozen countries whose sum...

  Brief Introduction:     Chobia Pass offers a passage from Chamba to Lahaul that has been used by the shepherds for ages in their migration season, ideally from mid/end June when they travel to the higher pastures of Lahaul, mostly into Miyar Valley. They begin to return to Chamba around mid to end of September with their well-fed flocks. The ideal season for trekking to this pass is during the shepherd migrations, mid June up till end October or even first half of November. For the rest of the year the pass is covered in deep snow with frequent bad weather and should be crossed only by experienced hikers with proper gear. The trek from Chamba side begins from Kao Village and ends at Triloknath road head on the Lahaul side or vice versa. It is easier from the Lahaul side if you begin from Triloknath and descend into Chamba side. The approach is easier, and the climb to the pass is gentler.   Ideally this trek from Kao to Trilokinath takes 3 nights and 4...