Kuari Pass Trek - A Short Trail Towards Nature And Self Day Two

This was the day of realizations. One realization/observation that hit me the hardest was the following while trekking alone:

"Trekking Day 2: The View Of Views"

"When on a trek; you are walking one step at a time, giving that one step your full attention and then to the next step, in moments of complete thoughtlessness. In those satori moments, when you get occasional chance to put your head up and look around. You see vastness in those open spaces and magnanimity in those mountains. Then a realization hits you. How petty and small are your troubles, apprehensions, fears, anxieties and the ego when compared to this. In these moments of truth you let go of your fear, anxieties, the ego and surrender. I call it a pilgrimage, people call it a trek."

People face difficulty sleeping in tents, but somehow sleep comes naturally to me in tents and outdoors. Having slept like a log I woke up fresh and expectant other day. After tea, breakfast we were all set to embark upon a sunny day of trekking and hiking ahead of us. 

This time we had only our official Guide with us. Mohan Jee (Our cook, also the acting guide for me on day 1) had to take a different route with the pony man to the next campsite. I was faster and more experienced in trekking than my fellow companions. So I was left with directions and instructions to fend on my own.

Trekking route on this particular trek has been trekked a lot, it being the most famous trek of the area. So the path is very clear and conspicuous; easily identifiable. Day 2 was many folds better than day 1 in terms of the following:

1. It had better view than what I had on day 1, Auli being a dampener with garbage and people.
2. I was all alone; filled with a loner's excitement; walking at my own pace, taking stops to read and relax.
3. The path was very beautifully crafted by all the walking and nature. There was a high point on this route with the name, Jhandidhaar. An ideal place to chill. It was windy, with soft and grassy ground to lie down, rocks to sit upon and eat one's lunch.   

"Trekking Day 2 The Route The Path"

Up till this point the trekking had been smooth and cruising. I took a long halt at the high point called Jhandidhaar for an hour and a half. Eating, reading, and sleeping. Which gave a chance to my fellow trekkers and guide to catch up with me. I too wanted this to happen as I had my doubts about the route as there were many going off in different directions from this point. Jhandidhaar like a crossing junction of trekking routes it became confusing which one to choose. Losing your path in mountains is not a very desirable situation to find yourself in. The rule : choosing the most distinct and visible path out of 2-3 different paths; seemed like it would not work here. 

"The Majestic Jhandhidhaar: Lunch Junction"

Even after taking directions from my guide I took a wrong path and got lost for a little while. I went to the opposite direction from where our tents were. It was still fun. It is not about losing your path, but about realization of being on the wrong path is important. In mountains it is about how quickly that realization comes, so you retract your steps before it is dark. I had ample time as it was only 2-3 in the afternoon, so I was not scared. I retracted my steps, took the other path this time and reached the camp to find everyone expectantly waiting for me. I was handed over my cup of tea which I drank with thorough delight, sunbathed, got wet in rain a little, read, slept and woke up again for dinner. 

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”

― Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

This last incident of losing the path and getting back so much reminded me of this epic screenplay dialogue from the epic movie.