Part 1: Preparation and Journey
Part 2: Lohajung to Didna Village
Part 3: Didna to Bedni Bugiyal
Part 4: Bedni Bugiyal to Pathar Nachani (You are currently reading this.)
Part 5: Pathar Nachani to Baghwabasa
Part 6: Baghwabasa-Roopkund-Bedni Bugiyal-Wan
After the incident of last night thunderstorm which caused a little scare, night passed peacefully. Though there was no further rain in the night, high altitude automatically reduced some sleep and I tossed and turned in the tiny tent for a long time.
Hustle and bustle and few shouts of my name aroused me from the sleep. Tushar was urging me to come outside the tent at 5 in the morning to witness the impending sunrise. As I had not quite completed my quota of sleep, reluctantly I peeped from the tent.
Dawn was just breaking up. Trisul (7120 m), Nanda Ghunti (6309 m) and their adjoining peaks seemed pretty clear as compared to last evening when they were totally engulfed in the clouds. Sights of these peaks evoked euphoria and I immediately came outside the tent.
Sun had probably arisen and hidden behind the lofty mountains though it was just 5.15 am. Few clouds were hovering beside and above Trisul mountain ranges with the tinge of orange. Few clouds above Trisul mountain appeared as they were painted with some random strokes of brush.
Trisul Peak (Click Here for more info)
Today we needed to reach to our next camp, Pathar Nachauni. I was not sure about the distance but seeing trek leaders were not asking us to hurry, I imagined today's trek distance to be small. Morning opened up and landscape got adorned with the golden light. After breakfast, we started our hike in the crisp morning with the company of cool breeze.
Small temple on the way:
Vaitarani (Bedni Kund):
Today we were again instructed to maintain our walking rhythm without walking too fast. Initially there was a steep climb for about 15 minutes. I was today again walking along with Amol and slowly but steadily we started to hike on this sleep trail.
As we gathered some altitude, our camp site started looking very tiny. Clouds in the blue sky shadowed some parts of the landscape providing a nice combination of light and shadow on the landscape.
After first exhausting climb, we joined the horizontal trail traversing the hill. This was the only trail that we had to follow to reach to our campsite. As there was no question of getting lost on this trail, guides went ahead and we were left on our own.
Walking on this traverse was exhilarating experience. Never in my life had I walked on such a long and winding traverse. Remotely, Himalayan peaks were peeking through the clouds. Sometimes cloud cover lifted completely providing the magnificent views of the snowy peaks. I never experienced any dull moment on this trail as I was engaged in witnessing this spectacular camaraderie between peaks and clouds.
Suddenly it became overcast and it started raining. Reluctantly we covered ourselves with ponchos and with rain splashing on our ponchos and faces, we resumed our hike. Rain lasted for few minutes. On the trail, we came across a German lady aged 77 Yrs who was returning after successful ascent to Roopkund. Looking at her fitness and enthusiasm, motivation surged inside us and we got much needed energy to walk further in otherwise dull weather.
After walking for many miles, direction of the trail changed suddenly and a new vista opened in front of us. There was a tapering valley now on our right side with the carpet of lush green grass. Few people spotted some mountain goats but we failed to notice these tiny creatures in such a large vista.
I and Amol got confused regarding location of our camp site and we missed a trail going down which would have led us to our camp site. But seeing few locals resting just below the main trail, we asked about direction of Neeraj Joshi's campsite and they asked us to descend. As we had left behind the well trodden trail, we had to descend through a lot of scree.
Soon we joined to our other trek mates. Our tents were being still laid and we perched on the grass munching on snacks. Snacks provided some instant energy and we felt better in otherwise chilling weather. As we sat more, wind started biting us and by the time, tents also got ready and we quietly retired into our tents. Some tea and snacks were provided after some time and many of us preferred to sip tea inside our tents only as it had become very cold outside.
We still had instructions not to sleep inside the tents during the day hours. I found it very boring to just sit idle in the tent. My stay in the tent got prolonged as it started raining heavily outside for some time.
As soon as the rain was over, I was out with my camera. When I came out, sky still was overcast and it felt very depressing with chilled winds along with this dull weather. Still I decided to wait outside just hoping for the weather to get better.
I was not disappointed and soon the dull looking sky with all grey clouds got miraculously transformed into the blue one with super formation of clouds. As the cloud cover lifted, all the hidden mountains started appearing one after another. Half of the side of the mountain range was now almost visible with some of the peaks illuminated with the golden light. I was holding my breath as I was witnessing this magnificent display of nature unfolding in front of my eyes. I forgot the world as well as the chilling weather as I stood alone wonder struck. I clicked countless pictures while soaking in this great vista. This wonderful display lasted about 10 to 15 minutes and soon dense fog and clouds again embraced all the mountain peaks and suddenly weather again turned gloomy.
I was not complaining though as I got to experience as well as capture some breathtaking moments. Contented and overjoyed, I returned to my tent and on entering the tent, I realized that my fingers were numb without any sensation. I wrapped my fingers with warm clothing but still I was not feeling any sensation. I really got worried with the prospect of frostbite but this fear lasted just a while as I again started feeling sensation and soon my fingers came back to normalcy.
I joined my trek mates in playing the game of UNO and we killed time by talking to each other while playing this game. Weather didn't improve much as evening gradually wore on to night.
After a light dinner, we again retired into our tents, chatted for some time and retired to sleep. Tomorrow's target was to reach the final camp - Bhagwabasa.
Part 1: Preparation and Journey
Part 2: Lohajung to Didna Village
Part 3: Didna to Bedni Bugiyal
Part 4: Bedni Bugiyal to Pathar Nachani (You are currently reading this.)
Part 5: Pathar Nachani to Baghwabasa
Part 6: Baghwabasa-Roopkund-Bedni Bugiyal-Wan
Part 2: Lohajung to Didna Village
Part 3: Didna to Bedni Bugiyal
Part 4: Bedni Bugiyal to Pathar Nachani (You are currently reading this.)
Part 5: Pathar Nachani to Baghwabasa
Part 6: Baghwabasa-Roopkund-Bedni Bugiyal-Wan
After the incident of last night thunderstorm which caused a little scare, night passed peacefully. Though there was no further rain in the night, high altitude automatically reduced some sleep and I tossed and turned in the tiny tent for a long time.
Hustle and bustle and few shouts of my name aroused me from the sleep. Tushar was urging me to come outside the tent at 5 in the morning to witness the impending sunrise. As I had not quite completed my quota of sleep, reluctantly I peeped from the tent.
Dawn was just breaking up. Trisul (7120 m), Nanda Ghunti (6309 m) and their adjoining peaks seemed pretty clear as compared to last evening when they were totally engulfed in the clouds. Sights of these peaks evoked euphoria and I immediately came outside the tent.
Sun had probably arisen and hidden behind the lofty mountains though it was just 5.15 am. Few clouds were hovering beside and above Trisul mountain ranges with the tinge of orange. Few clouds above Trisul mountain appeared as they were painted with some random strokes of brush.
Trisul Peak (Click Here for more info)
Today we needed to reach to our next camp, Pathar Nachauni. I was not sure about the distance but seeing trek leaders were not asking us to hurry, I imagined today's trek distance to be small. Morning opened up and landscape got adorned with the golden light. After breakfast, we started our hike in the crisp morning with the company of cool breeze.
Small temple on the way:
Vaitarani (Bedni Kund):
Today we were again instructed to maintain our walking rhythm without walking too fast. Initially there was a steep climb for about 15 minutes. I was today again walking along with Amol and slowly but steadily we started to hike on this sleep trail.
As we gathered some altitude, our camp site started looking very tiny. Clouds in the blue sky shadowed some parts of the landscape providing a nice combination of light and shadow on the landscape.
After first exhausting climb, we joined the horizontal trail traversing the hill. This was the only trail that we had to follow to reach to our campsite. As there was no question of getting lost on this trail, guides went ahead and we were left on our own.
Walking on this traverse was exhilarating experience. Never in my life had I walked on such a long and winding traverse. Remotely, Himalayan peaks were peeking through the clouds. Sometimes cloud cover lifted completely providing the magnificent views of the snowy peaks. I never experienced any dull moment on this trail as I was engaged in witnessing this spectacular camaraderie between peaks and clouds.
Suddenly it became overcast and it started raining. Reluctantly we covered ourselves with ponchos and with rain splashing on our ponchos and faces, we resumed our hike. Rain lasted for few minutes. On the trail, we came across a German lady aged 77 Yrs who was returning after successful ascent to Roopkund. Looking at her fitness and enthusiasm, motivation surged inside us and we got much needed energy to walk further in otherwise dull weather.
After walking for many miles, direction of the trail changed suddenly and a new vista opened in front of us. There was a tapering valley now on our right side with the carpet of lush green grass. Few people spotted some mountain goats but we failed to notice these tiny creatures in such a large vista.
I and Amol got confused regarding location of our camp site and we missed a trail going down which would have led us to our camp site. But seeing few locals resting just below the main trail, we asked about direction of Neeraj Joshi's campsite and they asked us to descend. As we had left behind the well trodden trail, we had to descend through a lot of scree.
Soon we joined to our other trek mates. Our tents were being still laid and we perched on the grass munching on snacks. Snacks provided some instant energy and we felt better in otherwise chilling weather. As we sat more, wind started biting us and by the time, tents also got ready and we quietly retired into our tents. Some tea and snacks were provided after some time and many of us preferred to sip tea inside our tents only as it had become very cold outside.
We still had instructions not to sleep inside the tents during the day hours. I found it very boring to just sit idle in the tent. My stay in the tent got prolonged as it started raining heavily outside for some time.
As soon as the rain was over, I was out with my camera. When I came out, sky still was overcast and it felt very depressing with chilled winds along with this dull weather. Still I decided to wait outside just hoping for the weather to get better.
I was not disappointed and soon the dull looking sky with all grey clouds got miraculously transformed into the blue one with super formation of clouds. As the cloud cover lifted, all the hidden mountains started appearing one after another. Half of the side of the mountain range was now almost visible with some of the peaks illuminated with the golden light. I was holding my breath as I was witnessing this magnificent display of nature unfolding in front of my eyes. I forgot the world as well as the chilling weather as I stood alone wonder struck. I clicked countless pictures while soaking in this great vista. This wonderful display lasted about 10 to 15 minutes and soon dense fog and clouds again embraced all the mountain peaks and suddenly weather again turned gloomy.
I was not complaining though as I got to experience as well as capture some breathtaking moments. Contented and overjoyed, I returned to my tent and on entering the tent, I realized that my fingers were numb without any sensation. I wrapped my fingers with warm clothing but still I was not feeling any sensation. I really got worried with the prospect of frostbite but this fear lasted just a while as I again started feeling sensation and soon my fingers came back to normalcy.
I joined my trek mates in playing the game of UNO and we killed time by talking to each other while playing this game. Weather didn't improve much as evening gradually wore on to night.
After a light dinner, we again retired into our tents, chatted for some time and retired to sleep. Tomorrow's target was to reach the final camp - Bhagwabasa.
Part 1: Preparation and Journey
Part 2: Lohajung to Didna Village
Part 3: Didna to Bedni Bugiyal
Part 4: Bedni Bugiyal to Pathar Nachani (You are currently reading this.)
Part 5: Pathar Nachani to Baghwabasa
Part 6: Baghwabasa-Roopkund-Bedni Bugiyal-Wan
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