We reached Chandigarh by train and then took a himachal Pradesh tourism bus till babeli. We reached the base camp which is 4000 feet at 5.30 in the morning. The first thing we experienced after getting down from the bus was chilling cold and first thing we heard was the beautiful sound of Beas river. The first day was just for completing official work like filling forms which took only few minutes. But instead of taking rest we decided to explore the nearby areas. Our camp leader suggested us a pilgrimage named bijli mahadev temple which is located on a mountain 7800 feet high. A local bus took us up the mountain to a near most village. From this village we have to climb the stone carved stairs to reach the temple. This excursion took us 2 hours through thick, tall and beautiful pine forests. Tired and exhausted we came up somehow but after coming what we saw was more than worth the exhaustion to reach there. It seemed like we have entered some postcard with heavenly place on it. We were on top of a mountain full of pine trees and surrounded by deep valleys and high mountains, some of them snow clad. After relaxing on the soft grass and after worshiping we went to other side of the mountain. On the other side we saw the breathtakingly beautiful meeting of two rivers Parvati and Beas. It looked fabulous, the two rivers flowing trough the valleys beside the mountain and meeting in front of the mountain. We felt like living there forever. After realizing about the time, we had to leave as we were supposed to reach the base camp by evening 5. On our downhill journey we had our day’s meal maggi which gave us enough energy to walk. After reaching the village we took a bus to our base camp. The food at the camp was very good and nutritious. The tents in which we were supposed to sleep were very clean and spacious.
Second day we were made to wake up at 5 am and had an exercise session for 1 hr, after which we had our breakfast. And at 9 we started our acclimatization walk. We were supposed to climb a small nearby hill so we can get acclimatize to walking at high altitudes. During returning walk we were made to select our team leader, deputy team leader, etc. After the walk we reached the base camp before lunch. After having lunch we were told that it was our group's turn to conduct that day’s campfire. So we started discussing about the performances. After the discussion we decided to perform a skit and two group songs and some individual performances. After having dinner we had our campfire which went very well.
The next day we had our exercise session and were supposed to do rapling and rock climbing. We had to climb up and again down a 25 ft high rock. Rapling was done with the help ropes. This session was adventure and fun. We felt like mountaineers climbing a vertical wall as shown in movies. On way of our return to base camp we sat besides the Beas River and enjoyed its mellifluous sound. On returning base camp we were given important instructions as we were starting our expedition to the higher camps the next day. We packed our bags with necessary things and tried to keep our bags as light as possible. There was kit inspection after which we had our dinner and enjoyed the fire camp.
On fourth day of our camp we started the expedition, our journey to higher camps. Everybody was very excited and energetic when we started. We traversed a path used by people of the nearby village called Segli. On the way we saw beautiful farms of apple and plum trees. These farms on the slopes of mountain looked as if they are manually arranged in very proper manner. We also ate one raw plum which was very sour. The wooden houses in village were just awesome. Many of them had gardens full of rose plants. These roses were big and very photographic. Near the village we had our lunch point. We ate our packed lunch after which the local Boys from the village invited us to play cricket with them. For first time we played cricket on mountain slopes. Fielding on the slopes was a tough job there and obviously the local boys did well in this department. The ball they used was not tennis ball or any other manufactured ball. It was homemade ball created from wool and some wood stuffed into it. After playing cricket we started to move to Segli camp. Near the end light rainfall started. For first time we experienced Himalayan rainfall. The sight of mountains with clouds on it was just beautiful. We partially covered ourselves and luggage bag with plastic sheet and kept walking and singing rain songs on our way. We reached our first higher camp, Segli which is located at 8000 feet. It was located on mountain slope in an apple farm. In front of us we had valley with Beas River and High snow clad mountains on other side of the valley. We took some rest and after dinner sang some songs in camp fire and slept in tents with no electricity.
On fifth day we started for our next camp Haura thatch. We started our journey in rain, kept walking in rain till end. Himalaya just got more beautiful in rain. The melodious sounds of birds, rain droplets and waterfalls were resonating in harmony. Our path was surrounded by huge Pine, deodar trees, little ferns and plants with cute little flowers. The mountains with snow white clouds running on the slopes, the crystal clear water from waterfalls, we were walking through the paths of heaven. As it was raining we had to skip our lunch and reach the camp. After climbing a steep slope at the end of our path we reached Haura camp by late afternoon. Our tents were located in the middle of pine forest and at 9,500 feet. It looked like we are on jungle expedition fortunately without wild animals. It was very cold out there; the temperature had reached 4 degrees that night.
Next day we started for next camp Mylee thatch. Rain was determined to follow us wherever we went. So in spite of chilling cold and continuous rain we kept walking. That day our climb was very steep and due to rain the path became quite slippery. Unfortunately some of our group members fell while walking in the slippery way. We were walking through clouds; some times we weren’t able to see above few meters due to these clouds. Our fingers got swollen and numb due to chilling cold, rain and hail. We ate some snacks under a big rock which became our shelter from rain and hail. There was a little canteen in there. They sold omlet and maggi and tea which was prepared on the spot and was hot enough for us to feel better. After resting we started walking again through the rain. Walking through the slippery pine forest on the slope was challenging and adventurous .After crossing the jungle we reached the top were we first experienced snow. It started snowing when we were approaching the tents. Enjoying the light snowfall we reached our tents. After changing our half wet clothes, the snow fall became heavy with ferocious wind shaking the tents; it was quite a trilling experience. No was willing to come outside the tents. Nobody was in mood to have dinner, everybody wanted to remain in their sleeping bags. That day we experienced rain, hail and snow storm all in one day as the temperature decreased as we climbed some height. Now we were at 11,500 feet.
Next morning luckily we got to see the sun after three days. The skies cleared; there was bright sunshine in the morning due to reflection of sun rays from snow. We were asked to put on our sun glass while walking on snow. After having breakfast and packing our lunch we started our march late in the morning after the snow became little soft. Walking on snow was fun and because of 2 days heavy snow fall, whole peak was covered with snow. We were able to see nothing but just kilometers of pure white snow covered land. Fortunately the sun was shinning till lunch time and there was no snow storm. We had our lunch sitting on snow with bunker like canteen to serve us maggi. During our lunch the clouds started gathering and started covering the sun and our feet started getting numb as they we wet from melting of snow in the shoes. So quickly had our lunch and continued our journey. As the sun started hiding in the clouds it got more and more chilling. But fortunately the sun came out again while we were walking. But it became very hard to walk on the snow as it became very soft. One fourth of our legs were going into the snow. Enjoying the walk we reached our camp Daura thatch. Reaching there we dumped our luggage in the tents and started playing with the soft snow, hitting each other with snow balls. We made a handsome snowman and showed some of our artistic skills. At this altitude of 11,900 feet the temperature that night was minus 4 degrees. There was no water there for us to drink. We had to keep our water bottle filled with snow in our sleeping bags so that our body heat can melt some ice and we may have some water for drinking. Luckily the weather remained clear that night we were saved from sleepless night.
Next day was our last climb up; we started our journey for the peak towards saurkundi pass. The snow was very hard and slippery and at least 6 feet deep. So the guides gave us instructions to walk slowly and on the path which the guide in front has traversed following his footsteps. We all were asked to walk in a line as all the footpath was covered by thick snow, only the guides knew the path and slipping on snow would result in downfall straight into the valley. It was difficult walking at such high altitude. We had to take rest after walking few meters. With sun god’s grace we reached the saurkundi pass. There was a small pond called Saur kund. It’s usually filled with water in summer but due the extreme climate the upper layer of pond turned into hard ice. After taking some photographs we moved towards the peak. Reaching there on peak at 13000 feet we felt like we are on top of the world .We all were proud of ourselves. All around us were snow clad mountain peaks. It was like we are at the center of a gathering of large mountains, like we at center are giving instructions to all the mountains around us. After having this lifetime experience we started our journey downwards. Descending was easy and fun. We were supposed to slide on the snow. With the instructions of the guides we carefully slided major portion of our descend. We had lunch (tiger biscuits and maggi) in afternoon. While having lunch we got to see a colorful circular rainbow around the sun. The trek after lunch point was the toughest we experienced. We were supposed to walk down a slippery path covered with snow with inclination of around 60 degrees. Sliding was not an option because after the snow path if not stopped there was a vertical downfall straight on the rocks. So with fingers crossed and helping each other we somehow crossed the difficult path. After this we were supposed to traverse a narrow footpath with deep valley on one side. Somehow traveling the toughest phase of trek we reached our camp named longa thatch. After reaching in tents a nice snowfall started. For first time we saw land after 2 days. The night at this camp was very beautiful. The full moon coming out from behind the snow clad mountain and stars in the clear sky looked very captivating. That night most of us were sleepless due to the chilling breeze that was blowing the whole night.
Last day of our trek came. We were to walk 2 hours before reaching the highway. But we took 3 hrs as it was our last day to walk through this lovely landscape. We passed through a village where we ate fresh sweet and sour strawberries. After reaching the highway we took a bus to our base camp. At base camp we were greeted by all the staff with enthusiasm. We filled some feedback forms and our trek came to end. Next day we shopped in kullu and took a bus to Chandigarh from where we were supposed to catch our train.
This trek thought me to enjoy the hardships that come in our journey to the top because these moments never come back. It thought me that life becomes serene when we are in harmony with nature. The sounds and the beauty of the nature take you to some higher level.
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