Kamran Sheikh

Two friends and I set out to do both Jahaz Banda and Katora Lake on the same trip, camping at the meadow the first night rather than trying to do everything as a single long day. That decision made the whole thing far more comfortable than it would otherwise have been. The climb up from Thal to Jahaz Banda took most of the first day. It's a longer approach than I'd expected from what I'd read beforehand, but the ground stays forgiving throughout — grass and dirt rather than anything technical — so it was tiring without being genuinely hard. We reached the meadow with enough daylight to set up camp properly and just sit for a while before the temperature dropped, which it did quickly once the sun went behind the ridge. From the meadow, Katora Lake was a further push the next morning. This section was steeper and looser underfoot than the first day, and by the time we reached the lake my legs were done arguing about it and had just accepted the situation. The lake was worth it regardless — sitting in its rock bowl the way it does, with snow still visible on the shaded side even in September. We came back down the same day rather than camping a second night, which in hindsight was ambitious — we finished the descent later than planned and the last hour was in fairly poor light. Would recommend building in a second night if your schedule allows it.