Preparation, Journey and Day 1: Sankri to Seema Village
Day 2: Seema Village to Har-Ki-Dun (You are currently reading this.)
Day 3: A day in Har-Ki-Dun
Day 4: Har-ki-Dun to Seema Village and Visit to Osla
Day 5: Seema Village to Sankri and Return Journey
Part 2 Begins
" Michael Jordan was once rejected to participate in the varsity basketball team as he wasn't good enough. So what did he do? He used this rejection as a motivation; practised harder, played with a great purpose and phenomenal intent and became one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game. Therefore there is a lot to be learnt from your failures. So please don't get disheartened for missing this trek. You can still be wonderful trekkers if you take this setback to improve your fitness and stamina". These were my parting words to few of the group members who were utterly exhausted and sick to continue with the remaining trek.
There was a rule set for the trek. Local leaders were supposed to guide the way and Yuvashakti's leader, Tejas was supposed to walk behind the group and clear instructions were given that no member would trek ahead of the local trek leaders and nobody would remain behind Yuvashati's Trek Leader.
Overhanging bridge across the river caught our attention as soon as we crossed Seema village.
Day 2: Seema Village to Har-Ki-Dun (You are currently reading this.)
Day 3: A day in Har-Ki-Dun
Day 4: Har-ki-Dun to Seema Village and Visit to Osla
Day 5: Seema Village to Sankri and Return Journey
Part 2 Begins
" Michael Jordan was once rejected to participate in the varsity basketball team as he wasn't good enough. So what did he do? He used this rejection as a motivation; practised harder, played with a great purpose and phenomenal intent and became one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game. Therefore there is a lot to be learnt from your failures. So please don't get disheartened for missing this trek. You can still be wonderful trekkers if you take this setback to improve your fitness and stamina". These were my parting words to few of the group members who were utterly exhausted and sick to continue with the remaining trek.
There was a rule set for the trek. Local leaders were supposed to guide the way and Yuvashakti's leader, Tejas was supposed to walk behind the group and clear instructions were given that no member would trek ahead of the local trek leaders and nobody would remain behind Yuvashati's Trek Leader.
Overhanging bridge across the river caught our attention as soon as we crossed Seema village.
Gradually, groups were dispersed; few members went ahead and
few lagged behind. I was somewhere in the middle.
Along the trail, I spotted a huge rock with the backdrop of the
mountains and shouted to group members ahead of me to climb on the rock and pose for a photo.They readily obliged as they were also keen to get themselves photographed.
I made them stand on the rock and clicked other photo with a different background.
As we had formed many dispersed groups because of different styles of pace, I trekked with different groups at different times. During one stretch I was trekking with Vijay, our local guide. Vijay was a very lively fellow. A bond of friendship was already formed between us. He was keen to share his knowledge with me and he made me stop at one juncture to show a peak named "Black Peak" (or Kalanag peak). I got curious and started conversation with him:
I: "Vijay, have you conquered this peak?"
Vijay: "Sir, I have conquered
it many times. I have led few expeditions of this peak".
I: "Is it difficult for
trekkers like me without knowledge of technical climb?"
Vijay: "No, it is not difficult and I can make you
conquer the peak. You don't need technical knowledge. You just need to trust me
and I will take you to top of the peak."
I: " Vijay, in future I will come
here for a month. Can you take me to all trekking destinations in your area"
Vijay: "Sure sir. You surely
come and I will take you to all places."
I don't know when I would be spending a month in this area but this conversation will linger in my mind and hopefully I would take out a month of my life to wander in this part of region.
Black Peak (Kalanag):
Blue sky with dispersed crowds and snow peaks provided the wonderful combination for the photography.
I don't know when I would be spending a month in this area but this conversation will linger in my mind and hopefully I would take out a month of my life to wander in this part of region.
Black Peak (Kalanag):
Blue sky with dispersed crowds and snow peaks provided the wonderful combination for the photography.
A good thing about the trail is that there are few snacks
joint along the way. Maggi is the item most sold on these snacks joints. Not
fond of noodles, I did not try it out and was happy to consume dry fruits,
groundnut chikki and chocolate bars. Nevertheless, these snack joints were good
to take some rest, sip some water and interact with other trekkers from other
groups.
Can you ask for a better place to rest where you see only
the mountains and breathe a fresh and invigorating mountain air? These are
the places which are etched in your memory forever; these are the moments which
you live life for.
Team negotiating one of the climbs:
Nature has really a way to connect with your soul and your soul grows
when you encounter such natural splendour. You don't need to force your way of
living in the moment and you just get automatically surrendered yourself to the
moment, moment of absolute bliss, moment of spiritual awakening, moment of
feeling one with nature!
At one juncture, we changed the direction completely as trail moved to
the left direction and we had first glimpses of har-ki-dun. I thought that
covering the remaining distance would not take much time but alas! I was wrong.
Even after walking for many kilometres, the location still seemed far away.
This is the peculiar things of the mountains; they look closer to the eyes
because of their gigantic sizes but in reality, distance wise they are far
away.
There came a stage when I was hiking alone for about 45 minutes as members ahead were far too ahead and members behind were too behind. As the trail was distinct, I started marching ahead. I had consumed all the water and there was no water stream in sight. I was feeling thirsty and was desperate to find the water source and I was delighted to see a local guy coming from the opposite direction. I enquired him about the water availability ahead and he offered me water from his bottle. Feeling refreshed, I thanked the guy and marched ahead.
Roaring waterfall greeted me as I reached to our lunch point. Waterfall was just few meters from the trail.
Before heading to the lunch point, I joined few of the trek mates who already
had submerged their feet in the water coming from the waterfall. Water was
extremely cold numbing our feet instantly; so we had to often take our feet out of the water. It
was fun and equally rejuvenating to spend time near the waterfall.
I got introduced to few Pune Trekker who were trekking with
Youth Hostels of India group. I even met a guy who stays 100 mtrs from my home.
It was weird to meet a person in your close vicinity at a place thousand kms
away from your home.
Famous Irish Poet and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature William Butler Yeats has rightly said " There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met."
Bonding with members of another group:
After resting for a while after lunch, we resumed our hike.
Weather remained predictable; sunny till afternoon and
turning overcast after 2 PM. Around 3.30PM, it started raining. As there was no shelter
along the way, we had to keep walking with raincoats on.
It was almost close to 5PM and still campsite for the base
camp was nowhere visible. As we reached nearer to the site, suddenly
temperature dropped considerably.
A small wooden bridge crossing the stream:
As it was raining intermittently and I already had wrapped my camera
bag with the plastic cover, I did not do any photography for last hour. So, I
am pasting photos which I took at the time of return.
A small wooden bridge crossing the stream:
Finally, we were elated to see some snow on the trail. For
the snow deprived people in Maharashtra, sight of snow in any form (even snow
blackened by trampling) create a lot of excitement and we were no exceptions.
Most of the time, there was a ground trail along with the snow
trail and we were able to avoid walking on the snow. But while reaching to the
camp, we had to negotiate two to three trails of slushy and slippery snow. At one point, a cook from our group helped me to cross one of the
trails as it was too slippery.
I heaved a sigh of relief on finally reaching to the camp-site
nestled amongst the snow-clad mountains. It was a moment of rejoice and moment to cherish!
Few members had already reached to the camp-site and resting inside. As there was no electricity and therefore no heaters inside the camp, it was already cold when we arrived. We felt warm only when hot tea was served to us. As it was drizzling outside and our legs were tired, we just perched on the beds waiting for others to arrive. Once all the members were in, rooms were allocated. A large dormitory was allocated to boys and a small dormitory was allocated to girls.
Few members had already reached to the camp-site and resting inside. As there was no electricity and therefore no heaters inside the camp, it was already cold when we arrived. We felt warm only when hot tea was served to us. As it was drizzling outside and our legs were tired, we just perched on the beds waiting for others to arrive. Once all the members were in, rooms were allocated. A large dormitory was allocated to boys and a small dormitory was allocated to girls.
As it became darker, temperature plummeted further and we
had to wear warmer clothes to remain warm. As we had nothing better to do, we
just chatted to kill the time. Soon, it was dinner time and we were served hot
dinner. By this time, most of the members had developed nausea about the food
and even when they were hungry, they hardly consumed any food. As temperature
was hovering around zero and no hot water was available, we were relieved of
dish washing ritual which made everyone happier.
Hot Chocolate was served after dinner and everyone retired
for the day. As it was getting colder, we tucked inside the sleeping bag, took
the heavy, woolen pullover over the sleeping bag as a double protection from the cold. Gradually, it became warmer
inside and without realizing, tiring bodies went into the slumber. Only
comforting factor while going to the sleep was that next day was the rest day
and there was no restriction on the waking up time.
Click here to read Part 3
Click here to read Part 3
Excellent! Flow is maintained & seems to be with you till base camp! Waiting for next episode!
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Well documented.. you have covered the experience in a beautiful way. I did Har Ki Dun last year and it is my best trekking experience till now.
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