Sahrawat
Active Member
It was nightfall, the last twilight disappeared behind the horizon, it’s was going to be pitch dark; I was above the tree line but not at the top where I intended to go. Chilling winds were biting cold at this altitude where I was standing all alone without a torch & without a direction. I had almost covered 20 kms since I started in the noon and didn’t encountered a single soul on the trek but spotted many pug marks of Himalayan bear. Then I realize I’m into some deep shit.
The series of follies is as follows:
Folly no 1: Going solo in off season
As always the programme was spontaneous. The destination was on my mind since last year failed attempt when we had to return from ‘Teesri ‘ due to excessive snow on the route even in March end. Last year during our failed attempt, we were four with a local lad to show us the way, this time I was on my own with a light backpack. Some pics from the last year failed trip to Churdhar:
Between Jamnala & Teesri
Beautiful Morning @Teesri
These are from the previous year trip
The way to Churdhar was under deep snow
This year when things starting to turn into favour of a trek I inquired my trek buddies if they are interested. They just cursed me for calling them at the eleventh hour and hang the phone in denial. So I was left with myself to accompany me.
Started from Panchkula on a borrowed bike, reached Nauradhar at 1130 hrs, consulted locals about the route conditions and started for the trek without wasting any time.
Local’s Feedback: This is not a time to go to up there, pilgrim season is over, Dhaba’s are closed, and there are very few people only at the temple complex who’ll also come back in a day or two.
Folly no 2: Not hiring the guide.
Since I knew the route till Teesri, I was confident to make it without any help for the directions. Secondly, I assumed that I would find some locals en-route so company should not be problem. For the initial half an hr, it wasn’t a lonely trek, I could see some people working in the fields from a distance.
It was a sunny day with a cool breeze and I was enjoying the scenery. Soon the trail entered into thick forest of rhododendron, birch and deodars. The only noise one hears was of wind cutting through the foliage or the occasional chirping of birds. With an easy pace reached Jamnala at 1330 hrs. I was anticipating finding few people at this point but it was totally deserted, not a soul in sight, could only find remains of makeshift shacks used to run dhabas by the locals in the season. So it was time for some contingency planning, I calculated the odds of making it to the top before sunset.
The last light would be available till 1730 hrs. That means covering the remaining distance in 4 hrs (before 1730) without losing the trail. It is pretty easy for a local but relatively difficult for person from the plains. It gave me two options:
1: Reach Teesri in daylight, halt for the night and start early next day.
2: Take a chance and try to reach temple complex before it get dark.
In, any of the case, had to reach Teesri first, but the next challenge is to find a shelter as I wasn’t carrying a tent with me. So without wasting much time at Jamnala , started for Teesri.
After Jamnala the gradient is gentle but the jungle become more & more dense. Now my mind started playing games with (What if!) type of thoughts.
From ‘Teesri’ I didn’t know the route, only had a faint idea that it takes 2 hrs. to the top. But what if I loose the trail so thought of spending the night ............................................................to be continued
The series of follies is as follows:
Folly no 1: Going solo in off season
As always the programme was spontaneous. The destination was on my mind since last year failed attempt when we had to return from ‘Teesri ‘ due to excessive snow on the route even in March end. Last year during our failed attempt, we were four with a local lad to show us the way, this time I was on my own with a light backpack. Some pics from the last year failed trip to Churdhar:
Between Jamnala & Teesri
Beautiful Morning @Teesri
These are from the previous year trip
The way to Churdhar was under deep snow
This year when things starting to turn into favour of a trek I inquired my trek buddies if they are interested. They just cursed me for calling them at the eleventh hour and hang the phone in denial. So I was left with myself to accompany me.
Started from Panchkula on a borrowed bike, reached Nauradhar at 1130 hrs, consulted locals about the route conditions and started for the trek without wasting any time.
Local’s Feedback: This is not a time to go to up there, pilgrim season is over, Dhaba’s are closed, and there are very few people only at the temple complex who’ll also come back in a day or two.
Folly no 2: Not hiring the guide.
Since I knew the route till Teesri, I was confident to make it without any help for the directions. Secondly, I assumed that I would find some locals en-route so company should not be problem. For the initial half an hr, it wasn’t a lonely trek, I could see some people working in the fields from a distance.
It was a sunny day with a cool breeze and I was enjoying the scenery. Soon the trail entered into thick forest of rhododendron, birch and deodars. The only noise one hears was of wind cutting through the foliage or the occasional chirping of birds. With an easy pace reached Jamnala at 1330 hrs. I was anticipating finding few people at this point but it was totally deserted, not a soul in sight, could only find remains of makeshift shacks used to run dhabas by the locals in the season. So it was time for some contingency planning, I calculated the odds of making it to the top before sunset.
The last light would be available till 1730 hrs. That means covering the remaining distance in 4 hrs (before 1730) without losing the trail. It is pretty easy for a local but relatively difficult for person from the plains. It gave me two options:
1: Reach Teesri in daylight, halt for the night and start early next day.
2: Take a chance and try to reach temple complex before it get dark.
In, any of the case, had to reach Teesri first, but the next challenge is to find a shelter as I wasn’t carrying a tent with me. So without wasting much time at Jamnala , started for Teesri.
After Jamnala the gradient is gentle but the jungle become more & more dense. Now my mind started playing games with (What if!) type of thoughts.
- What if, a bear /leopard come across!
- What if, I have to spend night alone in cold in the middle of jungle?
- What if, my wife finds out, about my misadventures! (This being the most scary one)
From ‘Teesri’ I didn’t know the route, only had a faint idea that it takes 2 hrs. to the top. But what if I loose the trail so thought of spending the night ............................................................to be continued
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