Flashback to 2016. Return Journey from Yuksom, Sikkim.
Even as I was heading back from Yuksom in Jul 2016 (it was a Pre-Birthday Gift for myself), my mind was on an overdrive planning the next trip fuelled by that incurable Wanderlust Bug.
Only this time, it had to be a
Birthday Gift to Me from Myself.
The desire to travel and intense pleasure of going solo had grown to levels that made me decide I would embark on one atleast once every year, and so why not make it work in such a way that it would be a gift I would give to myself.
Seemed a darn good idea too!
I was already smitten by the Himalayas. There was no doubt about it. I knew we needed an encounter up closer. Though the idea did strike me as preposterous, there ought to be method even in madness too!
An up close encounter with the Mighty Himalayas meant a trek - and a High Altitude one at that. That also meant loads of preparation, considering I had no trekking experience, leave alone a mountain hike!
Another wild idea struck me, one of motivation. This would also be an amazing way of working on my fitness! So why not?
So it was decided, My Birthday Gift to Myself would be a Solo Trip in 2017 in the form of a High Altitude Trek. Feb 2017 : The Trek Plan
Having pondered a long while about the importance of fitness and the discipline to remain committed to a regimen, the best way to ensure I stuck to it was to sign up for an activity that would compel me undertake a strict fitness schedule.
A High Altitude Trek with a high difficulty level would hence ensure that my fitness preparations would serve a two pronged purpose. Based on some feedback and online resources, I chose to go with IndiaHikes. Then ensued the search for an appropriate 7-day trek that would match with my schedule, ensure that fitness preparations required were tough enough to make a difference to my own levels, and also keep me away from the crazy networking we are all exposed to in the cities.
As the New Year began, I had to wait till end-Jan for finalising a suitable schedule upon announcement from IndiaHikes. The initial choice was Roopkund. But the dates were jinxed. I tried to check other treks, and finally zeroed in on the Buran Ghati Trek.
What added a twist to the tale was the 400 metre (1200 ft) rappeling section down the ice-wall from the Buran Pass at 15,000 ft! The subsequent 6 snow-slides down the mountain face were going to be exhilarating too! That was the high point of this trek and I was caught hook, line and sinker!
So went ahead and booked my slot for June-end batch after due deliberation with the IndiaHikes trek coordinator. I was amazed at the honest and candid nature of discussion. I began to realise as I started reading more resources, that trekkers are those with a love for nature and mountains, that draws & keeps them close to the ground. Hence the simple & calm demeanour.
I was impressed.
Preparations for the Trek & The Crazy Fitness Plan
Once locked and loaded, with first of the requisites fulfilled, compliance to the crazy fitness targets as prescribed for a High-Alti Trek by IndiaHikes commenced. No wonder there were times I was cursing my decision to opt for a trek with such a high difficulty level. But the fact it was helping me, despite being the bitter pill, and then the grand finale that would manifest upon completing the trek - a sense of achievement and satisfaction of doing what you have set out to execute in all earnest - goaded me on towards the targets.
I will not elucidate further, and one can have a look at the prep at the following link:
https://indiahikes.com/buran-ghati/#preparation
Finally, and thankfully, I did manage to achieve the target. Considering I needed to provide them proof of same in the form of a screenshot of an app that recorded my activity, they were pretty professional in their work! Glad they were. One can imagine the complications and logistics issues in case someone were to fall sick at that altitude and needed an evac! So no chances were to be accepted.
June 2017 Day 1 : Arrival for Acclimatization at Shimla
As the day of departure to Shimla drew closer, my excitement grew exponentially! Once I arrived Shimla for acclimatization, managed to realise the moment had finally come.
Furthermore, the description need not be in words, as the picture would do the talking themselves!
Clear blue skies with clouds to play hide and seek with the sun Selfie Time before the Trek The empty road with greenery all around in stark contrast with the congestion in Delhi On the Road to Somewhere A Preparatory Brisk Hike The Amazing Hues of Sunset Colonial Remains? The Orange Christ Church, on Ridge Road in Shimla with its Neo Gothic inspired design by Col J T Boileu stands among the clouds. My Country - My Pride - My Honor
The National Flag files high against the backdrop of a bright orange sun
Day 2 : Shimla to Diude/Janglik Base Camp (Alt 2804 m / 9200 ft, 9-10 hours drive from Shimla)
The rendezvous was the Old Shimla Bus Stand that would take all the trekkers in the batch to Diude in shared cabs.
The customary pre-departure click against the backdrop of the valley Chatting away with the local ladies during the breakfast halt
It was an amazing experience talking and sharing ideas and local culture. The advantages of going solo I would say. Except that getting yourself into the frame either meant you get tripod, or hand over your camera to a passerby requesting for a click (which also means you cannot be sure of the image quality and aesthetics as per your choice). Of course one would be sensible enough not to start teaching them how to click, since as such they are doing you a favor, and you cannot just bombard them with your instructions.
Bridge over River Pabbar at Rohru Walking into the Riverbed among the Rocks with my feet in the cold water was bliss A Photoshoot Halt (included a rooftop ride)
The sheer rock face A point where the bridge was washed away during floods. Had to disembark and hike till the Base Camp
All during the journey to base camp, my heart was thumping with excitement at the prospect of embarking on a High Alti Trek as planned. With every turn the heart rate grew louder along with the altitude, and so was the apprehension about my abilities whether I would complete the trek successfully.
But that was something I would know in due course. Upon arrival at the base camp, all trek members completed documentation & mandatory medical check before retiring for the day. But my mind was awake, with visions of the unknown!