Me and this world - a tête-à-tête

Prayer Flags in Yoksum Our training in Higher Himalayas came to an end. Our chief instructor - Lakpa Sir told us that they would be sending some people to Yuksom as advance party. The people who usually walk slow were determined to be part of this party thus I was dead sure that they would nominate me to be part of this group. Therefore, on 5th November 2014, at early morning 19 students from BMC 304 & 50 - odd students from AMC - 172 left the base camp and marched towards Dzongri. Me & Piyali The first day's trek was the toughest task as it involved couple of steep climbs and the distance to be covered was 26 kms. Route was chalked as Base Camp at Chowri khang - Bikbari - Dzongri La - Dzongri - Devrali - Phedtang - Tshokha - Bakkhim. All we knew was Base Camp to Dzongri is 13 kms and Dzongri to Bakkhim is 13 kms. With a quick lunch & tea break at Dzongri, we proceeded to Bakkhim. When I and Piyali reached Bakkhim, it was already dark. Rest House at Bak...

So far, 2013 was the best year with regards to Mountaineering. But December seemed slow and uneventful. Me and my bestie- Parag had been out of touch for a long time until recent. One fine morning, we just bumped together. Besties are the best people in your life... They come handy when you need a push. So there he was ready to push me again.  Then one cold December evening, when I was trying to focus on my new painting, bestie's bestie - KV called me and put into conference with my bestie.  All in all the conference call was a chaos and the two chattered incessantly. I could gather was that they were planning for some night hike somewhere close and a few options were explored. It was taken for granted that I was going. Although, I was fighting bad health, since me and bestie had got back to each other after a long time, there was no chance of backing out. Couple of days later, early evening, both of them gathered at my place. We reassembled the backpacks and l...

It has been years that I started trekking.  My first memory of the trek dates back to 1991, when a group of school buddies decided to go for a one day monsoon trek. The most enthusiastic girl in the class was our leader. It was muddy trail, and by the time we returned almost everyone from the group had become an experienced trekker. It took a while for me to understand what this business was. But it was that day when I got high with my insignificance on this earth. A pinnacle as proud as a nose of Duke, told me that to respect is the only way to appreciate the Mother Nature. Several years have passed by; Trekking has become most integral part of my day today life. But the love for this place is ever growing. Every year when the sky clouds with a promise of monsoons and greener earth, every wanderer gives a shout to the other, "Hey, his nose awaits us". The plans are made, dates are fixed. Every other commitment is compromised and the wanderers set out on a ...

Idea Floats… Four Jump in, one jumps out… Long lost friend is roped in… He pulls two more… A small group… Six set out on a Sunday early Morning… Highway Ride… Punctured Tyre… Street food & tea for breakfast… Final Destination… Walk in the Mud… Bike Ride in mud, to test the brand new tyres probably… Random Questions.. Out of context answers…  Ladders up the hill… All fog, zero visibility… Lots of Rain… Aloo Mash & Roti from the Tiffin Hogging Pithala Bhakari… Lots of Rain, Lost Avenues and Just a few snaps... Too many waterfalls… Only One making its point clear! And we reach base… Bike is washed & we start for pavilion. Some tea cups… With a promise to ourselves & friends that we will return soon…