Higher Camps ((13,800 ft, 50 km, 11 Days, 41 Member, SP32 Rocks))

Day 4: Base camp to Grahan (9 km)

Final addressing.

Our batch lined up for final addressing "ek ke piche do". All prepared for the big day, in a serious mood, listening to each n every word very carefully. "Aapki yatra kushal, mangalmay ho ye kaamana hai"

"Humse Na Takrana Tu, We ARE SP32!"
we left with this slogan

SP33 and SP34 said us good bye with their wishes and full round of clapping. And we left the base camp with full enthusiasm and energy, girls leaving first. Picked my mobile from charging point with whatever amount of charging was done & left Kasol. We kept walking, taking short breaks, Navin ji would play flute, all janata would gather around him for listening  him, Sumit would capture each and every moment in his videos, Deepika,Shirish would picture the moments in her photographs, Because some moments are worth preserving!!

Mountains teach you strength & patience. Strength for always going forward, not to stop. And Patience for reaching your destination, eating whatever you get there!!!

Resting in Peace.. 
For covering great distance, 
u need patience

I also learnt the same, slowly moving towards the target. Those 7 days gave me unforgettable memories of my life. New friends, new path, everything was so enthusiastic that every day I woke up with new energy and new target that I have to achieve it.

Post lunch, we again started walking. We covered almost 6.5 to 7 km before lunch & that 2 km walk was taking my breath, I was feeling thirsty, even after drinking lots of water & couldn’t walk because of bag’s weight!!! So finally Sardarji the gr8 helped me out, he took some & after that I covered the distance somehow!!! Don’t eat much when you have to trek was my Lessons Learnt from then & I never ate more than a chapatti after that: P :P

Kids at First Camp sight.
Distance covered - 9 kms

Took photos with village kids. We got welcome drinks as we reached there, after our small session with camp lead. Camp site was relaxing. We played Mafia, a very complicated game, one needs to learn first for 2, 3 games and then only he/ she can understand it. But once you know how to play it, you will enjoy a lot!! We the team of 41 partitioned in two sets, 1 played Mafia & another played cards.

Day 5: Grahan to Padri (8 km)

Lunch point : before Padri

Conditions at higher camps are different than that of base camp site, at Base camp, you can get all facilities, like water, electricity, but in higher camps, you must learn to manage in minimum resources available. There will be no taps for water, you will get water from river or waterfalls, and there will be no electricity as well. You must keep your mobiles & cameras fully charged & even after that also keep as many power backups as you can!!! And 1 more thing, you have live without mobile NETWORK… No range, no Data packs, so no connectivity!!! Only Nature, Greenery, Birds music, Free and healthy air, and outstanding atmosphere... You just can’t stop clicking pictures & videos.

We had 1 more companion in our camp, Navin’s flute… Even after walking & trekking, he had hell lot of energy for playing flute!! God knows how he managed.

We reached before time at lunch point. We have been told that we cannot reach our destination camp site before 4 in the afternoon. So we were just resting, playing songs, eating and just sitting. 2^nd day was much easier compared to 1^st day. All of a sudden, environment changed..

ओलीचिंब मी भिजले आज...वादळाला आले उधान..अंधुक, अस्पष्ट, दाटले हे आभाळ..चाहूल लागे पर्जन्याची ह्यास...मेघाला हि वेध अनावर..गर्जना करती प्रचंड, प्रगाढ...वीज कडाडे लाखालाखात चोहीकडे...ओलीचिंब मी भिजले आज...ओलीचिंब मी भिजले आज...

Its Raining..

We are Photo Ready.. AlwAyZ!!! So Smile please ;)

It was too dark, & Smokey, sparkling & roaring and it was already raining. Mountains are great at surprising you!!! You will never know what comes next… It was very pleasant and energetic to trek in rain, we all got some enormous amount of enthusiasm,  or I can say we were frightened as we didn’t knew how much distance yet we had to cover & we walked really very fast. The scenery was amazing, I can 

Varun (Camp leader) instructing SP32

And finally crossing all the bad conditions, enjoying the weather we reached our PADRI base camp. Our camp leader Mr. Varun Sharma, normally received their group at the YHAI BOARD. But due to worse conditions, he welcomed us at camp only. And allowed us to enter tents before timings...

We played Dam sharaj, Mafia. In fact Varun sir taught us how to play it well & from there onwards it became our everyday activity. We played Mafia for a long time that day, I was new to the game, so was in a learning phase!!! After 10, we were asked to go to respective tents. It was so beautiful out there, sky was fully loaded with stars, a crystal clear look, after a very long time I was watching it clearly and it was amazing. Everybody stood still for a while and stared at blue sky with white dots shining there.

 

गारवा, चमचमणारे तारे, स्वछ, निर्मल आकाश,हवेची थंडगार, मंद झुळूक, भन्नाट, गगनभेदी  शांतता,आणि त्या शांततेला भेदणारी वार्याची स्वच्छंद लाट,पर्जन्याने तृप्त केलेली धारा आणि तिचा आल्हाददायक सुगंध,पावसाचा एक थेंब नाही, तरी अचाट, अगाध जाणवणारा ओलावा....ह्या सगळ्याच्या कुणी प्रेमात नाही पडले तर नवलच!!!!

Day 6: Padri to Minthach (11 km)

Two days past and still no network coverage. My mom dad were getting mad at me, though I already informed them this would happen. But parents care a lot that they can’t stop calling u even if it will leave message ‘The Number You Are Calling Is Out Of COVERAGE AREA’… we were told by camp leader that we will get range after reaching Minh Thaj, so I was a bit relaxed, but it was a disappointment.

Resting in peace. 

Padri to Minh Thaj, it was a 11 km long walk, and not a simple one, climb was steep & 60 to 70 degree climb added weight in difficulty of this day. So we kept walking & walking. Knowing the difficulty of the route, I decided to go in the front :P :P. Drink a lot water, or energy drink, eat some nuts & dry fruits will help to go longer, and talk less was my strategy while walking.. Didn’t wanted to loose energy in talking, coz we had to cover long route. By the time we reached our lunch point, I was totally exhausted & needed some rest, so while others were chichating, I rested my back on one of the rocks, drank water & just lay down. Resting in peace, its great after a long walk & climb.

Lunchpoint before Minh Thaj

Unlike other lunch points, this was a huge ground with lots of greenery & surrounded with trees on one side & mountain on the other side. We could see lunch point at Nagaru from there & noticed presence of people at the point & cheered in enthusiasm knowing that we will be there tomorrow too. History itself repeats. Unending conversations with team members, dancing at the beats of music, cheering ourselves for the upcoming & looking at the previous experiences, we all were one family. Family of trekkers, enthusiastic leaders, & people with distinct hobbies.

After reaching Minh thaj, we covered a notable distance & we were at a higher altitude by then. Many people faced health issues & took rest. Nausea, vomiting, no hunger, these were some of the signs.

Move your feet on beat..

We were served chai & pakodas. It was quite interesting camp site. A big rock situated at the entrance offering us the feel of Sinhasan, or can say a big couch on which we all settled.

Step by step, gettin closer to destination

Day 6 :Minthach to Nagaru (6 km)

Nagaru is the highest base camp situated at 12,000 feet and we all heard the great stories about Nagaru camp site from previous batches of holding tents for nights as tents were about to fly..

And also it was 6 kms, a very short distance to cover but the difficulty was much more as it was almost 90 degree steep climb, no trees, no greenery around, and all surrounded us was only brown, almighty rocks. It was actually the day where our rock climbing lessons were actually gonna implement that too without saftey. Only saftey governed to was our shoes and the fact that we have guide.. Its fun doing things which you never did in the past and grabbing slow steps we were reaching this nostalgic camp site.

Lunch point Before Nagaru

Other batches had to climb in 4 feet snow for that day due to heavy snowfalls. Our batch was lucky enough to not to be caught in any of the natural calamities, or i can say sort of unlucky, not to be enjoyed the snowfall. We all were by the time, "please God give us snowfall or rain!!!"

But we didnt get any of those and we were guided to reach base camp before it starts raining. Its adivisable to climb when rocks are dry, else you end up slipping and thats dangerous. Keeping that in mind, distance from Minh thaj to Nagaru is kept minimum.

Lunch point was very different, it clearly had no ground, we had to sit on rocks and in the way, due to high altitude, nobody was willing to eat packed lunch and that too same taste everyday, we ate maggie and omlet. Maggie was banned in every part of INDIA except Himachal Pradesh, we were living on the hope of maggie!!!

Nagaru camp site, In the clouds

As we were stepping ahead to our destination, difficulty of the route was inceasing slowly, climb was becoming more difficult. YHAI board gave us satisfaction that we fainally reached Nagaru, the camp of flying air, our guide Gopi, brother of our guide at Grahan campsite, succeded at our safe landing and his job was done for the day.

We were welcomed at the camp, camp leader gave us instructions -

"You will not feel like wating bcoz of high altitude,that is the reason we will give dry snacks like groundnuts, biscuits and same will be provided in the morning. Water is very important here, it will be only available till the ice is melting, so feel your bottles full and keep themin sleeping bags, it will freeze outside. Tomorrow morning is a big day. Before ice starts melting, you have to cover a long distance, so you will start at 4.30 am. Morning tea and breakfast will be served at 4 am."

Selfiee le le Ree!!

Day 7 : Nagaru to Sarpass to Biskeri (14 km)

Its Snowyy, 5 am 

Night was sleepless, i could hardly sleep. Roaring of storm, blowing tents, friction in tent and wind, the noise produces due to the friction, and the fact that I was at the entrance of the tent did not let me sleep. And the alarm rang, it was time to wake up.

All were ready for the 14 km long day with full preparation. Monkey cap, thermals, woolen socks, woolen jackets, muffler, putting everything on we had to walk that day. Walking and climbing wasn't alone helping to keep our body warm that day. We started at 5 am. Sunlight yet to be introduced to us. But it was not dark. It was the time for snow walk, cool breeze, white snow, shalow light, and the morning walk...  Now there hardly was any greenery, we were moving from greenery to brown rocks and to white snow covered area. Our guide already told us not to stop anywhere as it may result in unhealthy events and injuries. He assured though we will be getting enough time for playing with snow and for photography.

We reached "Sar" the frozen lake, on the name of which our trek was called SARPASS. We played enough on the open ground all covered with only snow, Rakesh was carrying National Flag from the starting of the trek in his backpack, which was Sarpass' main attraction!! We all lined up for the perfect shot with INDIAN Flag in most influenced background, a lots of group photos clicked, individual photos, snow fights and just can't describe the feeling!! Speechless view, which I was only capturing with my eyes, and in future whenever required I was going to relive the day with memories that I was gathering.

Kaustubh & Me!!

Walking in the snow...

After the long break, we moved our feet for rest of the journey. My eyes could barely see anything else but snow, only snow. It was uneasy to walk on snow, I was slipping continuously, at first it was fun because I knew I will not get hurt even if I fall down. So I was enjoining it. But after a while, when snowy ground ended and it all started walking on a slanted surface, it freaked me out. I was not able to walk smoothly, so I held Kaustubh’s hand until we reached top from where our slides started. :P :P The feeling that if I slip from that height, I will directly reach base camp, was taking all my attention and I was not able to walk without any support!!! Finally, somehow, struggling a long & taking very small steps, I reached at the top, from where we had to slide now, a thrilling and most joyful experience of SARPASS. Guide instructed us to keep everything in our rucksacks well packed, as there was no way to get it back if it falls down. Secondly, to carry the stick in hands holding horizontal so that it will not strike any small or big rocks in the way, not to cause any harm to ourselves. 

I dont have fear of  Heights,
But Snow..

No waterproof pants or rain sheet should be used, it may increase the speed. And most importantly, don’t move your body when you are sliding, or if any object comes in path, don’t try hard to save yourself from it, as it will cause more trouble. Keeping all these precautions in mind, and with enormous fear, I started my slide & it was fanatbulastically awesome!!! The first slide just too dam good, I shouted to the fullest, no boundaries as nobody will hear me! Finally I reached at the ground by taking 3 breathtaking slides, enjoying from all my heart.. And it was when I was able to overcome my snow fear, we were feeling hungry. And after the slides, I was walking very easily on snow, falling and rising, and falling again, coz I knew I will rise once again. We were on the way to our lunch point, last 4 to reach lunch point that day, and we saw everyone was gathered in a circle and tension in the air. Due to snow and sun, Ankitha had major migraine attack and she was shivering from cold and unconscious, all girls surrounded her, we tried multiple options like rubbing her hands, giving her hot water, tea, thankfully Neha had medicine, and after half an hour she was getting well and uttered words “I am good now”. And we relaxed!!

Things like this happen at high altitudes, we were told before we left BASE CAMP, but this was our first ever time when we faced this kind of situation, and once again she was able to walk and talk. And we started again towards our next destination, Biskeri.

Amazing Photoshoot!!!

Day 8 : Biskeri to Bhandakthaj

Greenary...

Many people preffered going back to base camp directly from biskeri rather than wasting a complete day, because Sarpass was already covered and is the main attraction of the trek. So we said good byee to our SP32ians who left us there. You must cover bhandakthaj for 2 reasons-

1. Its natural beauty, greenary, woods surrounded and open ground covered with different trees

2. Its worth it and your time will not be wasted at all!!

So go for it.

On The way to Bhandak Thaj.

The route from Biskeri to Bhandakthaj itself is very different and awesome, you can't stoo yourself from clicking photographs. I dont have words to describe and Bhandakthaj is called mini Switzerland of India!!!

When we reached the camp site, it was open ground surrounded by tents, we played Cricket, till it started raining. Descending don’t require much of physical energy, but its painfull though in knees and then I decided from next trek, I will have knee pads for sure. It was hurting badly, but volini spray saved me!!

Bhandak Thaj Camp site

The dawn of milky, snowy white land was already ended and now was transformed into the grassy, leafy, wooden, greenery which I was capturing within me. One era ends and another on starts, just like that, but journey never ends!! It must not end. It must go on…

After some rest, when we came out of tents, it was not raining and a healthy, bright sunlight, not too intense but bright enough to enlighten you and burst you in cheer found its way. And it was flawless, we gathered one more precious moment in the treasure of SARPASS memories. Everybody ran for catching the moment and Shrideep later on captured it with his brush, we had painter also in SP32!!

Nostalgic Sunset 

Day 9: BhandakThaj To Manikarn to Kasol :

Last day of trek, from tomorrow onwards there will be no sleeping bags, no early morning wakeup, no packed lunch, and no sign of SP32 Batch, all will be gone. For last day, there is no guide with us and have to go on our own, checking the YHAI red arrows, they lead you to correct path. We crossed couple of  villages and headed towards village called Barsani, from where we have to catch a bus till Kasol. A huge construction was on its way, polluting the air of village, after 8 days we were seeing vehicles, normal roads, houses surrounded by small plants and village people.

Crossing all these, we reached Barsani. I was searching for Namomita and Abhik, and I saw them eating aalooparathas at a small hotel, I also joined them. Yamm!!! Alooparatha that after 8 days, too much fun.

We were waiting for Bus, and as soon as it arrived we all started running. Because waiting for another bus means wasting 1 or 2 hours there only. One more adventure was waiting for me there, due to crowded buses, all the backpacks were kept at the roof top of bus and after that I observed some people sitting on the top, I said to myself, “Why not? Just go for it”.

1 hour ride on the rooftop of bus, that too in Himachal Pradesh, where roads are scary, and in the hills, Navinji played music which added extra mood to already excited SP32, and we reached base camp with a full volume of “HUMSE NA TAKRANA TU, WEE ARE SP32…” successfully completing SARPASS.

Taking bath after 8 sweaty days is reliving and relaxing. And we were not in mood to eat the same veg food again, so we went to little Italy, after shower and ate famous Trout fish and biryani. 

Final Good Byee :

Everybody packed their bags, and said goodbye to each other, taking home the everlasting memories of those wonderful 9 days, some of members left base camp after trek only. Pune and Mumbai gang were planning for river rafting at Kullu. So we all decided to go for it together.

We reached at the river rafting point near kullu  by Bus, and the tempo traveler. Rafting at rhishikesh is much better than one held at Kullu, but being first ever experience I was enthusiastic a lot.

Chilled, freezing white water running through river…

 its chasing me, its calling me,

and challenging to go inside it,

and here I go inside it…

The race begins !!

And the ride starts, water force and speed is not much at the start, but as yougo deeper and deeper water comes all over the body and before you notice, you are fully wet. After covering half of distance, you will be allowed to go outside the boat and we went for it, for hardly 3 to 4 minutes. Boat rider pulled me out of water and dragged into the boat as if I were fish with one hand only. And again we started, next half was full of ups and downs and very much energetic. 14 km raft was over and with all wet clothes we had to go back to the starting point where all our luggage was kept.

And the story didn’t end here. But that’s all for now. 

I’ve already decided my next place to go.. its surely ladakh, till then waiting to see you all guys there. 

Missing SP32 already!!!

First Three Days At Base Camp

Day 1 :June 1

We reached Himachal Pradesh, "DEVBHUMI".

From bhuntur to Kasol, went by bus. Narrow roads and wide river, crossing all...


YHAI BASE Camp..  Flags welcoming us...
YHAI!!! After seeing the board, we felt so accomplished. Finally we are at our destination. 11 days from now we will be with YHAI.

YHAI Tents. Our Home For 11 Days :D :D

Kasol, mini Israel of India.. So many shops, for clothes, thermals, hotels, Israeli people, observing all these reached to YHAI Base camp, which is located at the entrance of Kasol.

YHAI board welcoming new and old batches,

green, yellow, red, blue colored flags on both sides of the steps going down to reception,

huge pandal for eating snack, food & discussions,

on the right side washbasins & washrooms,

open ground surrounded by green tents, and from the open ground the magnificent view of 'Pin Pass' Himalayan Mountains!!!

Pin Pass Valley from YHAI Base Camp: Ignited and shining in sunlight

Pin Pass Valley from YHAI Base Camp. Mesmerizing!!!

Pin pass cached all the attraction from visitors there and it was giving different looks every time we look at it.
Covered with fog, ignited and shining in sunlight, darker and rainy. Its each and every aspect was extraordinary. Nd it delighted us every moment.


We arrived early, so we got advantage to visit kasol and manikarn market. Visited manikarn GIRUDWARA, small shops, street shops in manikarn and kasol, did window shopping, and fully utilised 1 day..

In the evening, we came across with other members of SP32. SP31, batch prior to us was preparing camp fire for us to welcome to the base camp & that was very clear : "SP32 will also have to prepare something for SP33".  After dinner & before born vita, YHAI schedules camp fire. SP31 performed very well. They had many singers, actors, so they preformed 'Arnav Bhati's show', 2,3 people sung songs.

And the night begins. Fisrt time slept inside the sleeping bag. I was very much tired bcoz of the long journey from Pune to all the way to kasol, and full day ruming out in the market.

"HUMSE NA TAKRANA TU,WE ARE SP32"
 "SPARTANs, Khet me kya hai?
                           GAhu GAHU GAHU"...

Beautifull River..

Day 2: June 2

Tring Truungg... Trrring.. Alarm rings,
before that I am awake. Its 4.45 in the morning. 5.30 am morning exercise, nd if late, one round to the ground. Unfortunately, I got late nd got punished.


Ready Steady GO!!!
6 Kg weight on your Back..
U can do it!!

Today was our first official day as SP32, After breakfast, we left for a short distance trek with around 5 kg weight in the bag for orientation and acclimatization. We left for our acclimatization walk at 8.30 & reached our destination at 10.00. A very first session conducted by our guide, briefing about the next 7 days plan of higher trek, telling in details the risks, list of Do's & Dont's , his past experience of 9 treks, electing of our group leader Mr. Rahul & Enviornment leader Ms Jeni, a thorough discussion about camp fire, how we are going to perform & the overall day helped us to know each other very well.
All credit goes to YHAI!! The activities we performed everyday were well planned &


First day was very tough for me, never carried that much weight on my back and I was pretty sure I will reduce the weight up to the extent i can. 'coz its important to complete the journey you have started. And I came CoZ I wanted to complete. Trekking Himalaya is difficult, the routes are not simple, they are straight, height ed and different than normal treks, yet far far beautiful.

"Fire Fire, Camp Fire!!" (there's no fire actually ;))

Cheer Harder Guys

Our main task was to prepare camp fire. We had plenty of talented people, singers, dancers, comedy dancers, flute player.. So we performed with full on energy, we had very less time to prepare, but that's the spirit and that's what is needed. How you can handle a situation with minimum availability of resources.
Our slogans were unique :
"SPARTANs, Khet me kya hai?
GAhu GAHU GAHU"...
" HUMSE NA TAKRANA TU,
WE ARE SP32"...

Practising for Camp Fire."Meri Neend Mera chain, muje Lota DO!!" LolZ

Performance : "Balam Pichkari.. Jo Tune Muje Mari"

SP32 performed and cheered themselves, other two batches were silent :(.

They didnt even knew how to cheer. I was very lucky to be part of SP32, All youngsters, all enthusiastic, all in the mood of masti.

Day 3 : June 3

कधी पाउस, कधी वारा उनाड,कधी वादळ, कधी निरागस शांतता,कधी सैरभैर ओल्याचिंब विजा, तर कधी जगव्यापी स्मशान शांतता,कधी अंधुक, मनाला भुरळ घालेल अस गाढ धुक.. तर कधी मोकळ, स्वछ आकाश..

5.00 in the morning. No more alarms to wake me up. I was already awake. I didn't wanted any punishment that day!!! After our morning exercise & breakfast, we left base camp for our today's Rock Climbing & Rappelling session. Some were firstimers, some were professional climbers, some had previous experience. Our guides told the Do's & Don'ts of it. Everybody was dam excited to do it.

Rock we climbed.. Steady & Almighty

Our group leader Mr. mane started the rock climbing & he really did it very well. No mistakes, No Drama & he just did it like a normal walk or everyday activity. All were delighted with such a woderfull start. It was a unique experience for everybody. I first decided to go with Rappelling, as many girls did it & completed it. But when I saw down, OMG.. I was already frightened, told the guide "Darr lag rha hai !!".  & he tightened the rope, hold it in hands & said "Ab nhi lagega :)"
And believe me, that gave me a of courage. I did it & after that only I could dare for Rock Climbing.

Rock Climbing Instructors..

Now it was turn for actual challenging task. I tried to climb half of the rock, but I had no energy left with me & dammit I felt "Bhagvan ne aur thodi height de di hoti to kya jata :P". My hands were shivering,there was still half f the distance to cover & I was not finding any place where I could keep my foot & jump for the next, so after a hell lot of trying I decided to quit. I want to fall!! L L
Tag line of Gunjan. “I want to fall, I m falling J”

After everybody was done with there climbing trials, I tried again & the guide was pulling this time, so I did it, even I was too tired. Everybody was like "Yar, tu kar legi.. Ek aakhari bar kar le try.. That feeling is awesome!!" So I did it again :) :)

We built a great team together, SP32  JJ. “Humse Naa Takrana Tuu, We Are SP32”!!


It was final day at Base Camp, we packed our important things that were needed for next 7 days in YHAI rucksacks & packed rest of luggage to deposit it to YHAI. We were like: pack the luggage, weigh it, unpack it, remove some of the things, again weigh, unpack it & pack it!!! When there was no hope of reducing weight any further then only we stopped the procedure. 5.4 kg, that was final count, lunchbox & water bottles excluded. So in all 6 Kg . We shared almost everything we could, toothpaste, face wash, lunchbox, plate, tumbler, sanitizer, sun cream, medicines, torch, etc.

I Try, I try, I try!!

#Base Camp #All ready for photography.. Yeee!!!

Lining up For Bidding Adieu to SP31..Final Memories @ Base Camp