Srinagar Mar 20: The Kashmir-Bavarian ski-mountaineering expedition, which started last week has been abandoned in the upper reaches of Lidder valley on Sunday due to bad weather conditions on upper reaches of Kolhai peak. 
 For last three days, the high winds and continuous snowing at upper reaches of Kolahoi glacier forced the team to abandon tbe trek. The 10-member team, led by Oliver Alefeld, after skiing though Aru, Lidderwat, Satlanjan and Kolahoi Glacier snout reached up to 17,490 feet (5,300 mtrs) but could not proceed further due to continuous blizzard in the area, said officials of District Winter Games Association, Srinagar (DWGAS).
 “The snow condition too was not favourable for the skiers and the mobility had become very difficult. Avalanche were occurring frequently in the area particularly in the gullies near Lidderwat and Satlanjan areas,” said President, DWGAS, Mahmood Ahmad Shah quoting expedition member as saying.
 “The team however braved some avalanches on the way to Kolahoi. The crevasses in the Kolahoi glacier were all hidden due to fresh snow fall but was easy to move around on skis. The team had earlier set up its base camp at Satlanjan and explored the nearby virgin ridges and hills which fascinated the foreign members,” he said.
 “Lidder valley is wonderful with high virgin and challenging mountains all around and is full of powder snow. It has tremendous potential for ski-touring,” said foreign member, Traudi Schonwetter.
 Another Bavarian member, Alois (Jumbo) Ried said that the team faced several difficulties due to non availability of huts at Sekiwas and Satlanjan which are exposed to high winds and snow blizzards.
 He urged the Government to construct few shelter huts there, particularly at Satlanjan and Sekiwas areas which could become hub for ski-touring there. He said that if such basic facilities are provided to adventurers the Ski-touring could become one of the most popular tourism activity in Kashmir in near future, statement said
 The Expedition Coordinator and Secretary DWGAS, Muhammad Yusuf, said that it is for the first time after nearly 22 years that Lidder valley has seen some life and restart of Ski activity there. This has been possible due to efforts of Director Tourism, Farooq Shah who relentlessly wooed even during turbulent times.
 The expedition was organized jointly by the Bavarian team and District Winter Games Association Srinagar. The Tourism Department supported the local team and the field arrangements were made through Trek Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST