" Once you are in the mountains ,there is no such thing
as an easy trek !"
Those were the words from our trek leader, as we kicked off a 2 day trek to Nag
Tibba . 10 minutes later, I couldn't agree more ! ( for different reasons
though ;) )
In hindsight, 3 lessons learnt:
1. Prepare : Fitness requirements not to be taken lightly ( It would be a
much more enjoyable experience, when you are not huffing and panting, wondering
how on earth you would to climb up to 10000 ft, with heart pounding & lungs
on the verge of collapse after every 20 steps )
2. Friends : Go with people who are fun ( unless you are one of those out
and out extroverts, who can make friends , whenever-wherever !!)
3. Shoes : Invest in a good pair. It can make or break your trek.
(I would have been dead and gone esp. During the descend, otherwise )
Bottom line :
Trekking is your time out in the wilderness, testing / pushing
your limits. It is not for people expecting a lazy weekend off !
For me, It started on a regular mundane day, when something inside me snapped,
and I landed on the website of INDIAHIKES. Saw the pictures, read a few
articles and I was sold. Wanted desperately to experience it first -hand and yet
I was under no false impression about my fitness, or rather, lack of it.
Zeroed down to Nag Tibba, as it suited my set of filters - easy trek, only 2
days, not too difficult to reach the base, good for beginners.. Done deal !!!
Motivated a friend to sign up for the same...
While I knew it was important to prepare, could not find as much time as I
would have wanted. Nevertheless.... All things done, we landed at Dehradun
station on 5th Nov, at 6:30 am for the pick up . It was a 4 hour drive to
the base.
We assembled around the ledge of a quaint village of Pantwari, which was
nothing but a handful of huts along the slope. This was the starting point of
our beautiful journey. Our group of 26, was as diverse as it gets comprising of
doctors, college students, techie fellows and boring nondescript corporate people.
After a briefing on do's and don't s , we started the climb. It wasn't easy for
sure. Whether it was the terrain, or difficulty in getting into the initial
rhythm or my lack of preparation, within the next 15 mins , I was having second
thoughts... Did I underestimate the difficulty...?
 |
Nevertheless, we kept moving, each group at its own pace. We reached the base
camp by 4:30 pm. The experience of sitting there , outside the camp, watching
the sun set was worth EVERYTHING !! It was heavenly. After sunset, the clear
starry sky looked so beautiful, that it almost felt unreal. I'm sure all
Delhites would agree...we don't get to see starry sky.
Not much to do after sundown, especially with the temperature also dipping and
the fatigue setting in. Following a quick round of introductions, casual
chitchat and dinner, all settled down in their tents. We had walked 5 km, up
from 6000ft to 8000ft .
Next day was the summit climb, needed to start early.
Tea was served at 4:30 am. It was a test of will power, to open eyes and get
out of the cozy sleepy bag. Words fall short to describe the feeling of getting
out in the dark with only stars and torch light to guide as you go about the
morning business, in temperature barely above freezing point.
A humbling experience !
For some reason, it felt slightly easier.
The guide with us reasoned that unlike the previous day, we were
walking through the forest instead of walking under direct sun. It was
beautiful....
We had views of snow covered peaks. Even walked across grass covered with a
layer of frost.
Spent some 30 minutes at the summit, resting, taking selfies, groupies.. 😃
Wanted to etch the memory of being there, and the experience of getting there,
forever, into my heart !!!
It was a relatively easy descend to the base camp, and from there to the
starting point, where our vehicles were waiting to drop us back to the railway
station.
The entire experience was refreshing to say the least. Being cutoff from rest
of the world, being in the lap of nature, breathing freshest of the air,
drinking from rivers and springs, gazing up into the night sky, witnessing the
breathtaking sunrise and sunset, was food for the soul.
I want more of it !
❤❤❤
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