c u on top - satyabrata dam

  For long I have been fascinated with the region of Bada Bangal, nestled within, literally surrounded by high Pir Panjal Range of mountains from all sides. The only access to this remote and unique village that doesn’t require crossing a high snow bound pass is from Holi side, along the dangerous Ravi River gorge from Nayagran. This trail is arduous and dangerous. Of all the other passes that leads to Bada Bangal, Nikora is the one that I found most intriguing since this pass doesn’t find any mention in the official list of passes of Himachal Govt. notifications and there’s absolutely no mention of this pass anywhere online, no images, no reviews (now it does) except few vague mention in an obscure survey of India map and few odd places. Over the last 18 years of my exploring these mountains I hadn’t met anyone, including local shepherds who had crossed this pass from either side. At 4760m this is certainly a high pass and was perfect for my explorer’s instincts. My friend Ravinde...