KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Sep 6: The SKIMS Medical College Trekking Club on Sunday organised its first-ever Alpine Lakes Trek, taking a group of students and faculty members to an altitude of more than 13,000 feet above sea level in what turned out to be a memorable blend of adventure, endurance, camaraderie and learning.
The trek, organised on September 6, 2026, was undertaken under the dynamic support and encouragement of Principal, SKIMS Medical College, Prof. Fazl Q Parray, who has been encouraging students to participate in activities that contribute to their physical fitness, mental resilience and overall personality development.
The expedition provided students with an opportunity to step beyond the conventional academic environment and experience the mountains at close quarters. At an altitude exceeding 13,000 feet, the participants found themselves literally within the clouds, surrounded by the dramatic landscape of the high-altitude alpine zone.
The trekking expedition was led by Dr Ashfaq, Incharge Head, Department of SPM, SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, who accompanied the students as the faculty lead. His presence provided the expedition with academic and faculty guidance while ensuring that the student participants remained organised and motivated throughout the trek.
The first Alpine Lakes Trek marks an important addition to the extracurricular activities of SKIMS Medical College. For medical students, whose academic and professional lives are often demanding and centred around classrooms, laboratories, hospitals and clinical responsibilities, such outdoor activities can provide an opportunity to develop qualities that are equally valuable in their professional careers.
High-altitude trekking requires physical stamina, mental determination, teamwork and the ability to adapt to challenging circumstances. The experience therefore offered the participating students more than simply an excursion into the mountains. It provided them with an opportunity to test their endurance, support one another and experience the importance of collective effort.
The sight of students walking through the high-altitude terrain, with clouds enveloping the surrounding mountains, added a spectacular dimension to the expedition. Reaching elevations above 13,000 feet also exposed the participants to the distinctive environment of alpine landscapes, where changing weather, thin air and rugged terrain demand discipline and preparedness.
The initiative also reflects the growing importance being attached to holistic education and student well-being in professional institutions. While academic excellence remains central to medical education, activities involving sports, trekking, outdoor exploration and teamwork can contribute significantly to confidence, resilience and leadership abilities among young professionals.
The SKIMS Medical College Trekking Club’s initiative is particularly significant because it creates a structured platform through which students can participate in adventure and outdoor activities under faculty supervision. Such initiatives can also help students develop a deeper appreciation of the region’s mountain ecosystems and the need to protect fragile high-altitude environments.
The successful completion of the first Alpine Lakes Trek is expected to encourage greater participation of students in similar outdoor activities in the future. With institutional support and proper planning, the trekking club can potentially emerge as an important avenue for promoting fitness, adventure, environmental awareness and interpersonal bonding among students.
For the participants, however, the day was more than an institutional activity. Standing at more than 13,000 feet above sea level, amidst the clouds and high-altitude mountains, the students experienced a rare moment away from their demanding academic routines.
The first Alpine Lakes Trek thus opened a new chapter in the extracurricular life of SKIMS Medical College—taking its students not merely to the mountains, but above the clouds, and demonstrating that education can also extend beyond classrooms and hospitals into experiences that challenge, inspire and unite.
