Today while boarding my bus from Dharamshala to Delhi which means officially ending this trip, I look back upon the time I had during the last 12 days and it makes me realise that this was a life changing experience for me.
Mumbai ➡️Delhi ➡️ Chandigarh ➡️ Rumsu ➡️ Chikkah ➡️ Balu ka Ghera ➡️ Shia Ghoru ➡️ chattru base ➡️ Manali ➡️ Dharamshala ➡️ Delhi ➡️ Mumbai. God this was one hell of a journey.
Out of all the things that happened in these 12 days, Hampta pass trek was the most memorable one.
I smiled, I cried, I laughed, I was irritated, but the most important of all I learned a lot from it.
Starting from Day 1 : Camp 1 - RUMSU.
Reached the base camp at 7.30 am and waited for an hour until other fellow trek mates started joining.
On day 1 was our climate acclimatisation which was very well conducted by the most friendly, down to earth, helping, and the one with absolutely no attitude, none other then you guessed it right *Bushra Khan* 🙏🏼
Day 2 : Hampta dam to Shikkah base.
This was actually the day we began our trek. It was hardly a 3 hour walk and a pleasant one. The base camp was scenic and beautiful. This made us feel that the trek was going to be the same throughout. But we had no idea what was coming for us all 😂
Day 3 : shikkah to Balu ka ghera.
This day was a total turn around. Started the trek around 7.30 am.
The initial 2-3 hours were very much manageable but the real struggle started when the cold winds started to rise and it rained at the same time.
Oh boy I couldn't feel my hands after a certain point since all the sensation had gone away.
To make it worse, there was a water crossing which couldn't be avoided.
The last 2 hours have been true test of our endurance and will power.
We were low on energy, continuous rains and cold had us all.
On top of it, the base camp we though were ours, actually wasn't ours. Monu ( The trek guide) told us " Do u see those blue tents far away beyond the ice? That's where we camp" I cannot describe the feeling to hear such demoralising words 😂😂
At one point of time I was really thinking - " why am I doing this? I could have been at home, enjoying the rain sitting comfortably watching some web series"
But something inside me kept going.
The point we reached balu ka ghera, I started to cry.
The feeling of happiness, a sense of accomplishment and the fact that I did not give up in between made me a but emotional.
The initial 2-3 hours were very much manageable but the real struggle started when the cold winds started to rise and it rained at the same time.
Oh boy I couldn't feel my hands after a certain point since all the sensation had gone away.
To make it worse, there was a water crossing which couldn't be avoided.
The last 2 hours have been true test of our endurance and will power.
We were low on energy, continuous rains and cold had us all.
On top of it, the base camp we though were ours, actually wasn't ours. Monu ( The trek guide) told us " Do u see those blue tents far away beyond the ice? That's where we camp" I cannot describe the feeling to hear such demoralising words 😂😂
At one point of time I was really thinking - " why am I doing this? I could have been at home, enjoying the rain sitting comfortably watching some web series"
But something inside me kept going.
The point we reached balu ka ghera, I started to cry.
The feeling of happiness, a sense of accomplishment and the fact that I did not give up in between made me a but emotional.
That day I learned a very good life lesson which I could relate from the trek :
When you go ahead in life, there will be many who will be accompanying you on your journey but no one will walk the path for you. It is you who will have to do the walk. People will help you in difficult patches but do not quit mid way because to enjoy a good view there will be struggle.
When you go ahead in life, there will be many who will be accompanying you on your journey but no one will walk the path for you. It is you who will have to do the walk. People will help you in difficult patches but do not quit mid way because to enjoy a good view there will be struggle.
Day 4 : Balu ka ghera to Shia goru
This was the day we reach the most awaited hampta top at the height of 14000 feet and sang a song as well and then descend down to the base camp. On the way saw many glaciers and snow clad mountains which till now existed only in geography textbook for me.
As it was raining quiet a bit so no one came out of their tents and we spent the entire evening in our respective tents.
As it was raining quiet a bit so no one came out of their tents and we spent the entire evening in our respective tents.
Day 5 : Shia goru to chattru base
This was the last day of the trek and everyone was chilled out. It was hardly a 3 hour trek to chattru and the weather was also in our favour. It did not rain that day.
Post lunch we departed for seeing the beautiful Chandrataal lake.
It is truly a gods creation amidst the range of mountains. Crystal clear water beneath and clear blue sky on the top.
The view cannot be described in words but can only be experienced if one visits this lake.
Post lunch we departed for seeing the beautiful Chandrataal lake.
It is truly a gods creation amidst the range of mountains. Crystal clear water beneath and clear blue sky on the top.
The view cannot be described in words but can only be experienced if one visits this lake.
Day 6 :
We depart for manali and the trek coming to an end.
Heading back home with a lot of memories and some new friends.
We depart for manali and the trek coming to an end.
Heading back home with a lot of memories and some new friends.
There is a dialouge in English Vinglish where amitabh bacchan says to sridevi - "First experience is always special and priceless" so it was in our case.
My first ever Himalayan trek. Truly special.
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