En Route to Taluka: Day 1 of Our Har Ki Doon Trek

Following are the posts of ma experience of the Himalayan Trek been in the month of May... The experience was sooo rockinnn that cudnt culminate it in one single post...!!!

Our trip to Har Ki Doon began its journey from Dehradun station where a bus picked us up and was going to drop us at Sankri (from where we would make our way to Taluka, the base camp) in Uttarkashi district,Uttrakhand. Our 12 hour bus journey began with not so curvy ghats but as we neared the destination the roads became steeper and cold winds blowing as we gained higher altitudes. On the way we had our lunch in a dhabba at Mori with delicious roti, sabji and dal. Cooked on logs of wood this sumptuous meal freshened everyone from the long bus ride. In just about 2hours or so from there we reached the destination, Sankri. At Sankri, a jeep was arranged to drop us till the base camp, Taluka. However, a landslide had unexpectedly broken a bridge connecting two banks of the small-flowing river where the jeeps couldn't cross over, resulting in just about a kilometer or two of walking to reach the base camp from the point. A man-made bridge built across was crossed one by one and a good warm-up began for days of hike ahead.

On reaching Taluka, everyone was spellbound looking at location where we were camping. We were alloted our tents and asked to settle ourselves inside. Hot Soulful Soup and Dinner was served. The cooks put up an excellent buffet with Healthy Food inclusive of Salads, Papads, Delicious Sabjis, Garama -Garam Rotis and Yummy Dal-Rice.

The sun had set and the sky wore its night robe.
Thats where we were to head in days to come! Even in that Persian-Blue coloured sky one could admire the scenic beauty. Down lay the beautiful river melting down from the glaciers of mountains which could be seen by our eyes at the entity. Rocky mountain range lay on the other side of the river bank and as the range moved ahead it began to cap itself with snow.

Day 2: Taluka to Seema

With adequate amount of sleep in that fresh and vibrant environment our day began early morning at Taluka. An early morning wake up call in form of bed-tea arrived at each tent. Most refused to budge in this climate but eventually everyone's sleep withered. Had about an hour or so to freshen up, and as instructed we had to come at the kitchen area for the breakfast. Egg-omelet, Porridge and Cereal(Cornflakes) is what constituted our meal in the morning. Tea and coffee was then served. With all energy pumped up in each of us we began our excursion to the second camp at Seema. The walk was about 12 kilometres plus an additional 5 kilo meters was a detour we took because of a calamitously bridge due to landslide. Thus, the 17 kilometers walk began at around 7.00 in the morning.

The walk towards Seema began with a rocky terrain with frequent ups and downs . With pumped up energy all were in full spirits to reach the destination as soon as possible but certainly admiring the terrain around. As we walked we encountered grass routes, rocky terrain, a steep descend along a stream of river, and finally the rains broke and we took shelter at a small shop-cum-hotel. This is where we took our lunch break. Even though each of us had been given our packed lunches we'll hogged on the steaming Maggi Noodles. Delicious was the first thing that hit our souls when we relished each plate of Maggi.

After everyone freshened up we began walking again. Slowly the terrain we entered was a jungle. Man made routes were seen along this dense forests. Tiny streams of water lay along which complemented the scenic beauty of the dense forests. As our water bottles used to get empty, we filled water along these streams. Crystal clean water is what could be seen through and through our bottles. Rocky paths ran in this forestation. Each one began to struggle a little but with immense passion to reach the destination made each one go for it. With grassy lands nearing one could predict that the village,Seema wasn't very far. At open still narrow pastures, we saw sheep and goats grazing, with young shepherds at their guard. Interesting to see was a sheep-dog there with an iron collar. On being asked why such a harsh collar was put an older experienced shepherd said, "usi ke rakwale ke liye hain. Bageera jab humla karta hain sabse pehle gardan pe var karta hain." Which means that it was clasped on to protect him from the tigers or panthers who might attack.

And then, the grassy lands changed its form to a rocky path, a road-like feature and up ahead one could see small houses and civilization. As we walked this path, on the left lay the same river that flows till Taluka. It looked more cleaner, with water crashing into the rocks. The waves were much stronger resulting in white-milky coloured froth. The water was most definitely in its purest form.

Enjoying this landscape around we entered the house booked for our camp. It was definitely more colder than our base camp. Inside the wooden house(our camp stay) however, it was very warm. We sat on the couch when the cooks came with hot tea and coffee and also some Yummy delicious bhajiyas. They came as a boon after this nearly 12 hour walk.

To acclimatize to the climatic conditions all were asked to walk out of the house and stay out in the open. Even an acclimatization walk was conducted to just get our body accustomed to this sudden change in climate. Some went further for a walk down to the river bank to enjoy the water. On the banks of the river each took their positions on the rocks. None was allowed to go too further for safety reasons as the current of the river was very strong. Photographs were clicked with a spectacular background behind. It was drizzling and the cloudy sky added to the spellbound environment. This walk relaxed us of the tiring journey. We made our walk back to our lodging.

Soups were the first thing that came to us for dinner. Around the camp fire, as everyone sipped their soup, shared their experiences about previous treks and experiences and also anything particular events of the day. With fun and frolic, entered the place again where dinner was served. Beautifully laid Salads, Dal-Rice, Roti and Gravy-Bhajis of Soyabean and Potatoes were laid before us. After dinner, everyone was briefed about the next day's trek to the final destination, Har Ki Doon. Technicalities about the feature and terrain were explained and also the post-effects of gain of altitude were asked to be judged and reported immediately. Safety was the prime need for this trek as altitude gain resulted in a lot of symptoms towards altitude sickness.

The discussion was finished and everyone just wanted to hit the bed then. A long day was ahead of us. Adequate sleep and rest was of utmost priority because of a back log of tiredness of the day and an steeper terrain walk the next day. With silent prayers and deep desire to reach the top each of us dozed off listening to the music of the river!

Final Day- Day 3: Seema to Har Ki Doon

As the sun cracked its first ever rays amongst the white landscape, we were woken up by our as usual bed-tea. All ready for the hectic hike today everyone geared themselves up with early morning breakfast. Still exhausted from the previous day trek we still managed to encourage ourselves from making it to the final. As we walked out a spellbound landscape lay before us. Rocky road path, crystal-clean rapid river, and far ahead lay the snow-capped mountains, and that's where we were off to.

Our trek from Seema to Har Ki Doon was 14kilometres, lesser than the previous day. But, we were briefed that this walk is going to take more time and energy than the previous day because of the ascend and altitude. We started our day with a steep hike which pulled a lot of energy from us. Crossed couple of waterfalls and bridges, and the way ahead lay muddy and rocky paths. Our journey basically consisted of crossing one mountain then the other. As we walked, on the right down below lay a deep valley which ended with a gurgling river. And opposite us lay a paralleled snow-capped mountain range which ran from end to end.

We took frequent stops, since the altitude began to increase slight breathlessness caught on to us. Halts taken were for pictures, admiration of scenic beauty, some snacks, and also for lunch. The landscape around was a portrait painted by Nature and the Creator Himself. Little boys and girls of the villages around kept us company, as we walked, narrating tales about their experiences and rendezvous with calamities around. We came across spread out meadows where the sheep and goats came to graze. We rested for some while there making sure not getting to lazed as much more had to be covered. Also, the Rain gods "showered" us with their blessings!

It surely was an exhausting trek, but we were made sure by Mother Nature that none get bored looking at the same terrain everywhere. In fact, each patch of the hike had something added to it that made us go wow! along every bend. Thus, with occupied minds and soulful landscapes around we loathed for more. None knew what was in store for us ahead. We just walked and walked. The last kilometre and half was hectic mentally and physically due to exhaustion. The desperation to reach and curiosity of what lay ahead began to kill.

And there, behind the group of conifer trees lay the stone stairs. Upon climbing it lay ahead a buffet of wonder that made each gasp. It was a sight to behold. Welcoming us with a carpet of stones, on either side lay lush green grass, at the foothills of Swargarohini with a top coat of snow, was the destination Har Ki Doon. Afar, we could see a bridge connecting the banks of a downhill river, which one had to cross to reach our lodging. It started to rain heavily with clouds seeming to touch our feet. At that minute only 3 words struck our minds- Heaven on Earth!!


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