Har Ki Dun – Dec 2015

Ye hasin waadiyan ye khula aasama

Aagaye hum kahan ae mere Sajana!!!

I can do it! I don’t think I can do it! Will I be able to do it? How cold can it be? (-22 degrees apparently)

There were millions of such thoughts when we (me, my husband and few friends) decided to sign-up for our first Himalayan Trek. I think somewhere at back of my mind, I always thought we would cancel the trip. But I am so glad we did not.

We travelled from Bengaluru to Delhi, and from there took a train to Dehradun. It is important to mention the Indigo flight experience. Unlucky for us, some guy was travelling with a not so properly packed whiskey bottle in the check-in baggage. And what should happen, the bottle broke and the only backpack kept next to it was OURS! The backpack which we had to carry for next 7 days (both of us are non-drinkers). The airlines compensated with Rs. 500 /- for dry cleaning, when we had to start trekking in next two days. urghhhhh!!!

Most of the fellow trekkers in our group met at Dehradun railway station. We had breakfast “north Indian parathas” and started for Sankri. No cell signal here on. We stayed overnight at Sankri. We were introduced to each other and to basic etiquettes of trekking. Next day we started our journey. The first day was the most difficult part of the entire trek. The ascend was much steeper which became even tougher because of the huge boulders. After that we either got used to it or it really got simpler. We would walk through the day, know each other better, discuss heaven and hell, sing songs, admire the untouched mountains, encourage each other and relax/play when we reach the campsite. The food was just amazing; we would forget all the day’s fatigue when rajma chawal or gulab jamun or fryums were served. Indiahikes is known for its food. Evenings would include sharing stories, singing, dancing, playing uno and the most awaited ginger tea. With no technology around we had to resort to actual human communications. We would share plates and mugs for dinner so as to avoid washing in ice cold water. We would dance to avoid frozen toes.

Photo credits : Raghu

I think the most amazing thing was when we reached the final campsite. We walked three days to reach there. And it was snow all around. The wind was icy, the view was majestic. We were tired, we were shivering but we felt accomplished. After a night at the “Har ki Dun Campsite”, we were done and we just wanted to go back. All trekking, all enthusiasm was taken away by cold. We wanted beds, hot water baths, proper brushing. If I could go back, I would tell myself to enjoy till it lasts – because now I would say it was one hell of an experience.

Trekking at that height (13K feet), with that temperature (-22 degrees) is probably the most physically challenging thing I have done. And I made lasting friends in those 7 days, as if I have lived eternity with them. When I look back at those days what I appreciate the most is the mountains untouched by technology, filled with innocence. It was one hell of a sight.

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more.
-Lord Byron