Day 3 of Himalayan Trek.
Day 2 – 8th May 2023. Drive towards the mountains, Naagling, Panchchuli Range.
Started with a walk in the morning. After breakfast, Suvrat showed us the map of our trek and a brief session for 3 of us, myself, Bhanu and Rajnish. From Dharchula, Jeep ride to the Valley.
Since it’s my first time towards the Majestic Himalayas, I was amazed to see the Blue mountains, going through the rough terrains which sees a lots of landslides, the BRO- Border Road Organization, who are always making the roads motorable. It was thrilling to see at the same time little scary as there is a possibility that the weather changes and your vehicle could slide downwards or a portion of the mountain caves in.
But again, that is what makes the whole trip worth the effort when I look back to write the memories about the trip in my blog. Through writing it down… It’s giving me a power to relive the happiness and thrill my heart and soul would experience every day.
We stopped by a village Khet for Chai biscuit break. We walked up to a school premise and there was a session on Geo Talk to take us through a map, to show us the mountain terrain we will be going to. Beautiful village by a glacier fed river.
Our next stop was for lunch at Naagling Village. Again, a scenic village with mountains, sudden drop in temperature, became very cold. Had to layer up with warm clothes. A nice lunch of hot Chapatis and Dal, Potato subzi with Chai…, couldn’t ask for more…
Looking at the beautiful weather, a couple them wanted to go for a walk, and the vehicles were to pick us up on the way, I too joined them. The weather suddenly changed and started drizzling, it was a wrong decision. It started raining and my shoes got wet. It was a beautiful walk and as a slow walker, I could scale only little distance and enjoyed the walk.
Vehicle picked us up along the route and after a short distance into the drive, temperature dropped further and it started Snowing. It was a beautiful spectacle. As we drove past, the Valleys and houses were covered in sheet of snow.
The earlier plan of trekking to the Valley and staying in the tent was not possible, we drove to our next destination which was Dantu Valley. It was a 45-minute drive and it was snowing there too. It was at 12,000 feet altitude.
It was cold and was not yet acclimatized to such drastic change in weather and altitude, little uneasiness was felt, but brushed it aside by keeping myself warm and hoping for a good rest in anticipation of tomorrow.
Nevertheless, it was an experience never to forget and lesson learnt to have things that could keep you warm, a good rain coat, a good waterproof boot from Decathlon…, then I think it would have been good, could have enjoyed the snow… now we were all huddled up in one of the Homestay Cottage and trying to get some warmth by covering ourselves with warm blankets available.
The women were to stay in the same Homestay cottage and men folks were to shift to another cottage little walking distance away. The cottages were just minimum sleeping places with washroom outside, thankful that there were toilets and not to think of going in wilderness.
After our bags arrived, we went to the 2nd cottage as fire place was lit there to get some warmth from the snowing and sudden drop in temperature. It was a unforgettable experience with firewood fire and everyone in the group sitting around it chatting and listening to singers in the group… Askari and Rupam… and couple of us humming along the known numbers adding to the chorus.
After dinner… the best part, sleeping… another memorable experience. Had never slept in a sleeping bag, I wanted to experience sleeping in it… I should say… it was not a comfortable experience. New place and cold and the uncomfortable sleeping bags, I guess did not know how to use it?? So, although tired, sleep was far away. In the middle of the night realized that most of us were awake and having issue with sleeping in sleeping bags as it was not enough to protect us from the sudden drop in temperature then with couple of coverings to make us warm, tried to catch up on the long-lost sleep.
Eventful… with the drive, Snow, altitude, getting together of the group at fire place, stay, sleeping in a sleeping bag…. Couldn’t ask for more, happy to be there and wanting to explore with open mind and heart.
