#To Triund and Beyond
Next day was Saturday on 5th of March 2016. I had
checked the weather on Accuweather for
Triund before planning my trip. It said that 3rd and 4th will be bright and
sunny (These were the days spent in Dharamkot, sunbathing), 5th and 6th will be
rainy and cold with thunderstorms and hailstorms (These were the days chosen
for trekking and to be spent in snowline cafe and Lehash cave). I had a good
raincoat which I had bought in Mcleodganj and a good backpack rain cover with
me. The morning was overcast with clouds in the sky. I was all set and ready to
start the trek on this fine morning.
After a sumptuous Indian Breakfast at Radha Cafe
in Dharamkot the trek had started. It is not even a trek but a 8 km walk in
hills. Soon after walking for 3 hours and 15 minutes I reached Triund at 1:45
PM. Weather in these kind of areas is very unpredictable. It is always a good Idea to
carry a raincoat with you as there were spats of rain here and there on the
way.
"On The Way - Triund"
After reaching Triund I observed an unusually high volume of crowd of 30 - 40 people in the area. Normally such places are devoid of people. I took some pictures, inquired about the price for
securing a spot in shops to sleep and eat. It was Rs. 250 for a night's stay
and Rs 130 per plate of Rice and kidney bean Curry. I had planned to stay in Triund for a
day and leave for Snowline and Ilaka the next day on my Birthday. But after
seeing swarms of people coming in and overhearing a few people talking about
going to Snowline and their plans to stay there, I changed my mind
instantaneously and decided to leave for Snowline right away after tea. "Instinctive decisions are the best decisions" this idea has been
emphasized very well in Malcom Gladwell's book Blink. This has again been
proven right.
"After Reaching Triund"
Snowline cafe has a
maximum stay capacity of 12-13 people inside the shop. Given the fact the
weather was going to get bad, pitching tents would have been risky. I somehow
foresaw that Snowline cafe too is going to get crowded and there would be a
fight for space. I literally pushed myself towards Snowline cafe. There
was a situation here and with that a sense of great alacrity. Within 1 hour
30-45 minutes I was at Snowline cafe leaving behind 2 large groups of students.
When I reached
snowline cafe, there was no one else there but the shop owner. I booked my
sweet spot, by planting my backpack in a spot inside the shop. I had a word
with the shop owner about the price, it was nearly the same as what was in
Triund. I also informed him about the 2 large groups approaching his
establishment for which he was happy. I had some omelette bread, and tea to
gulp it down with. I was a happy chap after securing food and lodging.
I took off my new Quechua Forclaz 100 to put on my
Quechua Arpenaz 200 Sandals in order to take a stroll in nearby area. The
feeling was of happiness and contentment with nothing to do but just to
be.
"Sunset from Snowline - Ilaka"
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