Govt school computer teacher all set to scale highest peak of Saraswati Range

For Kunal Kapoor, the Mount Black Peak is the eighteenth trekking target, the journey for which he will commence on September 6. Mount Black is the highest peak of the Saraswati Range of mountains, an expedition meant for highly experienced trekkers.

A government school computer faculty member, Kapoor rescheduled his earlier programme just to carry with him the prayers and wishes of his colleagues during the scheduled celebration of the Teachers’ Day.

Malerkotla SSP Gagan Ajit Singh, an Olympian hockey player, greeted Kapoor and prayed for the success of his expedition and offered technical support from experts in the Police Department.

“Having conquered 17 major peaks of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, I decided to undertake the more challenging expedition to Mount Black Peak, also known as Kalanag,” said Kapoor while acknowledging that the expedition was a challenging high-altitude mountaineering trek located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, with the peak standing at 6,387m.

Kapoor knows that the expedition is a technical climb that requires prior mountaineering experience and physical fitness, which includes glacier crossings, rock climbing and navigating snow-covered terrain.

The technical journey begins from Sankri and takes trekkers to Black Peak base camp at 4,000 m, followed by acclimatisation there and summit attempts. Best undertaken between May and October, the event is a must do for avid trekkers like Kapoor, as it offers a perfect blend of technical challenges, adventure and Himalayan beauty.

Auden Col Expedition (5,490m), Dhumdar Kandi Pass (5,380m), Lamkhaga Pass (5,280m), Bali Pass (4,950m), Buran Ghati trek (4,572m), Baraadsar Lake trek (4,400m), Hamta Pass (4,300m) and Chandranahan Lake trek (4,260m) are among the major trekking expeditions undertaken by Kapoor.

With an intent to quench his thirst for adventure and nature, Kapoor had started trekking over five years ago and he made use of all vacations and holidays for undertaking trekking expeditions.

“While my colleagues may be surfing holiday calendar for organising picnics and family functions, I do so to plan my itinerary of trekking expeditions,” said Kapoor.

He has no regrets that none of government or private agencies has ever recognised his achievement. “Rather I am overwhelmed that SSP Gagan Ajit Singh, who is an Olympian and an established trekker, invited me to his office to give tips and offer support before I start packing for my next expedition,” said Kapoor.