Monday, January 12, 2009

My first Snow Trek; Triund-Laka

A trek spanning two years!!!! Yes, we started it in 2008 and completed in 2009. Here is our itinerary:

30th Dec 2008: Board bus from ISBT Delhi at 8PM

31th Dec 2008: Arrive at Dharamshala at 8AM; drive upto Dharamkot and met the Outdoor Adventure guy and start trekking upto Triund and night stay

1st Jan 2009: Trek to Snowline dhaba and if possible extend upto Lahesh Cave. and trek down to Dharamkot and night stay

2nd Jan 2009: Sight seeing at Mecleodgunj and board the night bus to Delhi at 7.45PM.

This trek start with a crap. Two of my friends Arpan and Anand who came from Kolkata got their train late and we couldn't able to catch the advanced booked AC Volvo bus and end up travelling by a delux super in the shivering cold of late December. Too much disappointed was our organiser Shubhodip. Thanks to those heavy woolen cloths that allow us to servive in this disaster.

We arrived at Dharamshala by 8.30 in the morning and jumped on a shared taxi for Mecleodgunj.

First snap: Kangra Valley from Dharamshala

From Mecleodgunj we booked two autos for Dharamkot and got there at 10AM. The Outdoor Adventure (Raspal Pathania: 94181-87231) guy was waiting for us. Breakfast was waiting for us in their guest house. We had a couple of aloo parantha-dahi and a cup of tea. We packed our sleeping bags and mats and start trekkking at 11AM. Few snaps on the way...





We had small halt in Midway Dhaba and freshened up with a cup of tea
A big vulture trapped in digital pixels

@ around 3.30Pm of the last day of 2008 we are @ Triund (9200feet apprx). Phew we completed 9kms of trek in 4hrs.See..hungry us, sitting and waiting for maggi
The forest guest house
As day comes to an end the the sky glows up with reddish shine
Red Mountain Peaks. Believe me i dint apply any color enhancement.
One of the most amazing sunset I have ever Witnessed. The last sunset of 2008.

What an evening that was!!! Even 2hours after sunset sky kept glowing
One of My Best SnapWe enjoyed the night sitting near bonfire till we dine. I must appriciate the meal stuff provided by Outdoor guys. Dinner was no expecption. Started with hot and sour soup, followed up by roti and rice with chicken curry, sabji and daal. we had also desert with custard.

1st January, 2009

We woke up early to catch the New Year sunrise. Arpan and Shubhodip clicked some wonder.

Suraj ki Pehli Kiran
After giving us bed tea, our guides went to bring water. They would be trekking 2 kms down to the Kangra river. So we have planty of leisure time.
...Click click click...
We: Shubhdip, Anand, Me and Arpan (4m left)
Oye Doggie Doggie Oye
Guide KB Pathania...Always caught in pose!!!

Me and Arpan
Shubhodip
When we start trekking after this photosession and breakfast it was almost 10AM.Our plan is to go upto Snowline Cafe and get back to Mecleodgunj by evening itself.
First encounter with Sheet ice
When we were at Snowline, the reading by the watch was about 11.30. The landscape was almost covered with snow. After a brief photosession, Arpan and me decided to move further upto the Lahesh Cave (5kms), whilst Shubhodip and Anand opt against it.


The Leftouts... Shubhodip and Anand



Kudos to Arpan.. :)






Kalucharan (Arpan gave this name) also accopanied us.

When it was less than a km little steep climb to Lahesh Cave, we were in two minds. If we go upto Lahesh Cave, it will be difficult to get back to Dharamkot today as it was already 1.15 PM. So we decided to get back. 3 1/2 hrs more before sun dies down; about 16kms to trek down.

Footprints of Bear
When we get back to Dharamkot, it was almost dusk. Stayed night at Outdoor's guest house and yesss....Back to Mobile Network...inbox was pounded with sms and misscalls of New Year...called up dear one..
Next Day plan...To roam around Mecleodgunj and ofcourse book the tickets for return journey...
Shubhodip and Arpan tried some botanical photography. Here is a glimpse..





2nd January 2009
For the whole day we roam and shop around Mecleodgunj. Had a mixed experience with the return bus journey: It was good cozwe managed to book tickets in Tata AC couch...Horrible coz seats were in the last row...what a damm bumpy ride that was...
It is most amazing New Experience for me. Now, i am signing off..
Cheers
Hriday