The wonders of trekking and connecting with Nature
Day 5 – Aha ! What does today hold?!! This is the question I ask everyday in the morning as I wake up !
And everyday I can be sure of one thing !
The day is going to be exciting and challenging …with incredible views !! 🙂
There’s not a single day on this trek where there are no steep ascents and descents or impressive views !
Today is Satsar day. Satsar means Seven Lakes and though we don’t see all seven lakes, we have an interesting day that starts with a stream crossing followed by a steep climb.
Then we see vast stretches of boulder fields that we need to cross. Hopping across the boulders is quite fun ! But only as long as they are dry, I learn later.
As we near the camp, it begins to drizzle. We are still 30 minutes away from the camp. The rain entirely changes the atmosphere and the trek paths . It is a new and not so pleasant experience to be on slippery rocks now after a long day. Nothing much to do except get into our tents and wait for the rain to stop. I learn later that one of our trek mates slipped and fell, luckily he wasn’t injured.
Day 6 – Thankfully, the weather is good this morning though it started off foggy and cloudy. Our destination – the last 2 lakes of this trek – Gangabal and Nandkol.
This is a day we have been hearing a lot about. We have 2 hours of boulder climbing to do. Tough one this ! :). And we have the Zaj Pass to cross !!
I need some help on the boulders. Boy ! was it challenging and exciting! 🙂
And then it’s up and down some hills till we cross the Zaj Pass, then again up and down some hills.
Our last camp tonight is on the banks of Gangabal Lake. Nandakol is the twin lake and it is difficult to take our eyes off these lakes as we cross Zaj Pass and can view them. It is a waiting game to click pics here as thick white clouds hang above the lakes, then move on to reveal them, then hide them again !
The mist is beautiful.
We have gotten to know each other well, lending a helping hand when required, laughing together, sharing food and water, trekking together… each one of these trek mates is special. This last evening we hang out a bit longer in the common tent, playing games, singing…
Day 7 – The last day of this trek is really tough! It is a formidable and arduous descent on tricky narrow trails from 11,500 ft down to 7800 ft in 6 hours. The first 3 hours are through unbelievably beautiful forests. The slopes are so lovely, it is hard to think we have to leave such beauty and go back!
There are villages around here and we see many children asking for ‘toffees’. The next 3 hours down are very testing as the trail is slippery with loose mud and pebbles. We have be watchful, and go slow. There is a point where I wonder whether we will ever reach the road where the bus to take us back to Srinagar is waiting ! I am grateful for the friendly company I have, as one of my trek mates and I do this descent together.
Finally, the end, as we step on to a tar road after a full week on uneven ground ! It feels so weird to be walking on a flat surface ! 🙂
What an amazing time I had ! Such an awesome trek 🙂
Stay with me as the Trek Magic continues here !!!
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