Kolahoi Glacier - Sonamarg

4th August

Today it rained and rained and rained  and we trekked up hill and down dale in the rain and mud, slipping and sliding, getting wet, cold and filthy. God, you can tell we are tourists but see the glacier we would.

 

We had a chai stop on the way up to the glacier. The rain hadn't started here but it was threatening

 

Chai spot

 

 

 Salim is mountain bred and the weather did not bother him at all or impede his goat like ability to scale mountains without any difficulty what so ever. Neil, not mountain bred but used to walking easily on roof tops, handled the conditions a lot better than his nimble wife. At one stage, on the way back down, I was terrified that I was going to slip in the mud of the almost non-existent track down the side of the mountain. Luckily, however, Salim nursed me through the worst patch and I survived the experience.

 

Looking down on Sonamarg

 

Heading up the hill. At this stage there was a track to follow - muddy but still existant. Glacier on far hill hidden in the fog!

Goats and goatherder.

Glacier in distance.

Looking up the valley past Sonamarg.

Animals and Salim trying to escape the weather.

The gypsy huts here gave very basic living.

 

We were not the only ones getting drenched that day!

Wear a yellow raincoat when you're out in the rain.............. Can't remember the rest of the song. Mine was worse - bright orange!

 

When we were almost back to our car a frightened goat came hurtling down the mountain leaping off a verge and landing on the track almost on top of us. A wild dog was loose in the flock and the goat had sought our protection. The poor thing was panting with fear and did not wish to leave us. Once again Salim saved the day and lead her to safety.

 

The plastic raincoats did protect us a little but we were still very wet across our shoulders and the top of our backs and the trip back was a cold one indeed.