THE ADVENTUROUS HIMAALAYAN TREK – MAY 2010

The arcs teach you how flexible one could be in life. The depths teach you how tall ones' character could be in life. The waterfalls teach you how joyous one could be in life. The tough paths teach you how patient one could be in life. The heights teach you how great one's goal could be in life. The mountains teach you how calm one could be in life. The nature teaches you how colourful and multifaceted one could be in life. It is only the give it all that the Abhyaasites learned from the adventurous Himaalyan Trek. They learnt many values to be executed by a human throughout one's life.

The journey to Delhi started on 06.05.2010 with a team of 19 students and 2 Teacher In- charges started their journey to Delhi. All the parents were requested to drop their children at the Secunderabad Railway station at 12.30 PM as the team had to board the Dooranto Express. By 1.00 pm the team was in the train finding their allotted berths. The team reached Delhi by 07.05.2010 at 12.00 PM.

They had a good bath and after a delicious lunch and we waited for the bus that took the team to Kulu. After a long wait, the bus arrived late, and all the students boarded the bus. There was a lot of activity in the bus as we had a team from Maharashtra packed with older generation. It was an interesting mixture in the bus – 40% of the passengers were aged above 60 years, 40% of the passengers were aged 16 and the rest of them were middle aged. It was 10.30 in the evening and the eyes of the passengers started looking for a good place to dine. Students enjoyed a typical Delhi Dinner and the moment they got into the bus, they slipped into deep sleep.

It was 6.30 am on 08.05.2010 in the morning where the tiny tots woke up to see the beautiful valleys of Himachal Pradesh. The road was too rugged but the view was breathtakingly picturesque. It appeared as though the streams were doing a ramp show. What a feast it was to the nature lovers' eyes! The bus stopped at a hotel for a short break where the team had some time for breakfast and the journey began again… this time it was only for few hours and we were there in Kulu where the snow-capped mountains offered an imperial welcome to the trekkers. Cameras flashed in all directions.

After reaching the base camp, all the tiny trekkers were allotted a special tent. The base camp was a beautiful spot placed the foot of the great mountain in an Apple farm surrounded by the Deodar trees. The tent was spacious and after a mouthwatering lunch, the team relaxed for a short break. It was in the evening, the Holiday moods team took every body for acclimatization walk. Everyone returned tired and had a lip-smacking dinner ,every one drew themselves into the rugs which were already arranged in the camp.

It was morning on 09.05.2010and there was a great buzz and lot of discussion that went on. Team could not decide. "What should we do now?"… "Should we go to Mani Karan or Rohtang pass"… "Let's go to Mani Karan… No… we should go to the Rohtang Pass and enjoy the game with ice"… and the debate went on for half-an-hour. "Enough is enough…Let us stop the discussion and move to Rohtang Pass… was the final verdict, which was well-received by all, amidst cheers. Two cabs were arranged and the students rushed into the cabs. The journey was thrilling to many of the students for whom the trek was a maiden experience. We had to stop at a point to hire special warm clothing which was required to go the icy Rohtang Pass. The drive was very risky at times and at other times -joyous. We held our breath and kept our fingers crossed as there were turns in the mountains that sucked our energy and confidence. We had to stop at a point for breakfast and hot tea that re-charged our souls.

We reached the Rohtang pass and lo… the fun began. Snowballs rolled and there was a great cheer and enjoyment as the students giggled, laughed and shouted with joy. They had a great fun and I believe that it would remain in their minds for a life time.

The following was the schedule of the Trek which had run later:

Trek from the Base camp – Bangla (camp I) – 2350M (Trek 7kms/ 4-5 hrs) – 10.05.2010

It was a very pleasant trek up through dense foliage crossing the streams to the forest camp at Bangla. Camp I is set in a beautiful thatch area above the village Tila Sarni. Students enjoyed various games / activities in the post lunch session. Evening was a great leisure to explore the camp site. Overnight was exciting and it rained heavily and we were in the in alpine tents.

Camp I – Chachil Phadil (Camp II) – (3000M) (Trek 7Kms/ 4-5hrs) – 11.05.2010

After camp I, we had to take the route which was a lovely gradual traverse through dense forest climbing to the meadows of Naya Tapru. There were fantastic views of the Himalayan range looking towards the scenic Dep Tibba area. Our camp was further 1 km at Chachil Phadil meadow. The Evening was again leisure to explore the camp surroundings. Many adventurous games were conducted in the valley ,which was a great place. We spent the night in alpine tents which was extremely chilling.

Day trek towards Chanderkhani Pass (3660 M) - (Trek 7Kms/ 3hrs, one way) – 12.05.2010

It was finest day that everybody looked forward to. Also, it was the riskiest route in the whole trek. Students enjoyed snow patches and closest views of Deo Tibba and the Pin Parvati range of mountains. We returned to the camp by lunch time. Once again, the evening we explored the camp surroundings at leisure. The second night was also spent in alpine tents that were too chilling where the temperature varied between 1 and 2 degrees Celsius.

Camp II – Pulag Village (Camp III) (2400M) Trek 6Kms/ 3hrs – 13.05.2010

This was the much awaited day to relax for the team, as it was a very interesting descent which leads down to village Pulag. Also it was an excellent opportunity to mix with the local people and experience their hospitality. We had some free time that evening to explore the camp surroundings.It rained cats and dogs that night and the students had great fun in the alpine tents (Trek 7Kms/ 4hrs One Way)

Camp III – Camp III to Base Camp – 14.05.2010

The route led the trail down to village Rumsu and traversed to village Tila Sarni leading to the base Camp at Nilshala. The evening was free for all to relax after a successful trek. Overnight was fun in tents as students recalled their experiences of the great adventurous trek.

The next morning on 15.05.2010 we went on a visit to visit Manali. The team hired two vehicles to visit Mani Karan – the place where the hot water springs in the great Himalayan Mountains are located.. It is located in the Parvati Valley between the rivers Beas and Parvati, northeast of Bhuntar in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. It is at an altitude of 1760 m and is located about 45 km from Kullu. The team boarded coach on 15.05.2010 evening and reached Delhi on 16.05.2010 in the morning after a satisfying lunch and rest.

The team boarded the Rajadhaani Express on 16.052010 and reached Hyderabad on 17.05.2010…

All Abhyasites had another great experience in their life…