It wasn't a mutiny of any sorts. It was just a breakaway if you want to call names. Some of us wanted to rest and some of us wanted to continue. No opinion should be enforced and rightly so free will prevailed. The final count going to Belak increased to 9 in the morning which was a sweet surprise. We moved to the hotel premises of the local vendor who had provided us dinner last night. He took some time making breakfast for us along with packing lunch as nothing was to be seen on our 22-km long uphill trek today to Belak. And boy, those Chole Bhature powered us like red bull does. It gave us wings and we were off to a flying start.
The first five kms proved to be very simple as it was a proper road and a very gradual uphill trek. We covered this portion so fast that it surprised even Chandru Sir who were our guide to Belak. As we entered the forest, the vegetation was so thick and confusing that it took them a while to figure out the way. Plus, we were carrying a rope for the first time as we were to encounter some landslides on the way and that idea had already freaked us out. But when we actually reached the place of landslide, it proved to be more scary than what we imagined it to be. But with the confidence shown by Chandru Sir, we all made it without the rope and without any hesitation. That seemed like such an achievement and moment of relief at the same time.
The path which we took to avoid another landslide was pretty slippery and dangerous and for the first time during this Himalayan trek, I felt scared. I am sure other did too. But the important thing is that we overcame our fears. Soon we reached at a significant height where there were some grazing areas. We decided to stop for lunch at a place where we found a hut. The owner soon returned when he saw us from some distance. He offered us fresh buttermilk and did not accept any money in exchange. We were surprised to witness such simplicity in today's world. At some distance from there, we found a stream where we stopped for our lunch.
Post lunch period is very difficult. Be it attending classes and lectures or be it resuming your trek. And to top that, we had an extremely steep hill to climb. The slope was perhaps more than sixty degrees and every step proved to be hugely expensive in terms of calories. My mother had advised me sometime back to keep camphor handy and to smell it when you start to loose your breathe. And that helped me big time to overcome that green monster. The rest of the climb was thankfully moderate and we reached Belak around 1600 hrs which might have been a record of sorts. The owner of the Gujjar huts there gave a warm welcome and offered us tea. The place was really beautiful and cold and the arrangements he had made for us were fabulous.
Trek group 14 was also scheduled to join us up there as they were trekking uphill from a place called Lata. A bon-fire was being arranged for us as we waited for our friends to arrive from the opposite side of the valley. The local guy brought some already burnt logs while I wondered if that was the remains of the 89th FC trek. Anyhow, we managed to start the fire and arranged some more wood on our own. Meanwhile we danced and sang around the pleasing warmth of the fire, group 14 sent SOS calling for water supplies and mules as they were still on the move and pretty tired. A party was sent to their rescue and to our surprise one of our OTs also volunteered. Later it occurred to us that what all one has to do in the name of love!
It was dark already. We started to see some torch lights at some distance. We signaled them to show the right way. We dinned together and enjoyed the superb hospitality. As we retired to our respective huts, our minds were fighting with one dilemma. Two groups were there together and the coming morning would be an endless struggle. Struggle to find a bush. Struggle to shit with dignity!
Click here to read about Day 7
The first five kms proved to be very simple as it was a proper road and a very gradual uphill trek. We covered this portion so fast that it surprised even Chandru Sir who were our guide to Belak. As we entered the forest, the vegetation was so thick and confusing that it took them a while to figure out the way. Plus, we were carrying a rope for the first time as we were to encounter some landslides on the way and that idea had already freaked us out. But when we actually reached the place of landslide, it proved to be more scary than what we imagined it to be. But with the confidence shown by Chandru Sir, we all made it without the rope and without any hesitation. That seemed like such an achievement and moment of relief at the same time.
The path which we took to avoid another landslide was pretty slippery and dangerous and for the first time during this Himalayan trek, I felt scared. I am sure other did too. But the important thing is that we overcame our fears. Soon we reached at a significant height where there were some grazing areas. We decided to stop for lunch at a place where we found a hut. The owner soon returned when he saw us from some distance. He offered us fresh buttermilk and did not accept any money in exchange. We were surprised to witness such simplicity in today's world. At some distance from there, we found a stream where we stopped for our lunch.
Post lunch period is very difficult. Be it attending classes and lectures or be it resuming your trek. And to top that, we had an extremely steep hill to climb. The slope was perhaps more than sixty degrees and every step proved to be hugely expensive in terms of calories. My mother had advised me sometime back to keep camphor handy and to smell it when you start to loose your breathe. And that helped me big time to overcome that green monster. The rest of the climb was thankfully moderate and we reached Belak around 1600 hrs which might have been a record of sorts. The owner of the Gujjar huts there gave a warm welcome and offered us tea. The place was really beautiful and cold and the arrangements he had made for us were fabulous.
Trek group 14 was also scheduled to join us up there as they were trekking uphill from a place called Lata. A bon-fire was being arranged for us as we waited for our friends to arrive from the opposite side of the valley. The local guy brought some already burnt logs while I wondered if that was the remains of the 89th FC trek. Anyhow, we managed to start the fire and arranged some more wood on our own. Meanwhile we danced and sang around the pleasing warmth of the fire, group 14 sent SOS calling for water supplies and mules as they were still on the move and pretty tired. A party was sent to their rescue and to our surprise one of our OTs also volunteered. Later it occurred to us that what all one has to do in the name of love!
It was dark already. We started to see some torch lights at some distance. We signaled them to show the right way. We dinned together and enjoyed the superb hospitality. As we retired to our respective huts, our minds were fighting with one dilemma. Two groups were there together and the coming morning would be an endless struggle. Struggle to find a bush. Struggle to shit with dignity!
Click here to read about Day 7
1 comment:
Like told by Alexander, the Great, and I quote, " Conquer your fear, and I promise you, you will conquer death ."
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