The Reality Of Pain - 200 KM Brevet Ride

When you are into this game of long distance endurance building activities, you get to understand the concept of mind over matter first hand. Pain is that one illusion that gets shattered in these kinds of activities. Brevet format of cycling is one of them. Pain does not, will not and can never become pleasure; that is a myth. If that happens visit a psychiatrist because you are turning into a sadist. But what really happens is: you start seeing beyond pain. You go through the pain and see its impermanent nature. This experiential knowledge of impermanence is very crucial in reducing the hold of pain on your mind and thoughts. These uncomfortable zones they start turning into your comfort zones. As the saying goes “You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

"My Beauty"

There two things I love about endurance sports like cycling and running:

1) Their simplicity
2) The personal growth they offer in terms of these life learnings

Running is simpler than cycling, but I still prefer cycling over running because I personally like a little touch of complexity with a greater sense of simplicity.

This brevet was indeed one of my toughest because of the external factors like dust, heavy traffic whizzing past you like a storm blowing against a lighted match stick and the traffic that comes towards you from the opposite direction with full beam; blinding you for a few minutes. But one thing I felt comfortable with was the pain. There are 4 areas of pain when it comes to long distance cycling:

1) The palms; which are resting heavily on the handle bars supporting your entire upper body weight.
2) You buttocks; for obvious reasons.
3) Your legs from all those hours and hours of pedaling
4) Your back; because of the unusual riding posture.

On this brevet I had least trouble with the first two. Managed pretty well the 3rd one and had a little trouble with the fourth one because of change in my cycle’s geometry due to a change of my cycling tyres. I went from conventional MBT tyres to thinner hybrid ones.

The definition of Endurance is: “the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way”. This is not absolute in real life application. When it comes to real life experience or application of endurance you vacillate between these moments of almost giving way to not giving way at all. This brevet I had so many moments where I was powerful and gave no way with a very few moments where I almost gave way. That is because I was otherwise feeling strong and powerful in life. After having a long struggling phase of low self-esteem and low self-worth I did managed to pull myself out of it in life. That is why they call it endurance testing rides. Sometimes these rides they build your endurance and make you feel powerful in life and sometimes life does that to your endurance rides.

"Something As Simple As A Glass Of Chai Can Be Highly Rejuvenating"

This would sound very strange, but it is pain, discomfort and unpleasantness that actually supplements your sensitivity and makes you grow more sensitive towards life and its aspects. It is not pain, discomfort and unpleasantness in absolute that does that magic. But it is the very process of you overcoming them and shedding their hold on you that actually does that. When you are being into a prolonged period of unpleasant or difficult process or situation; without giving way; you will observe that every other experience grows many folds. For example something as simple as a cool breeze on a sweaty and hot body, feels like a little more than refreshing: call it invigorating. Something as simple as a gulp of cold water down your dry and warm throat feels like a little more than a magic potion: call it elixir of life. And a song or tune in your ear sounds a little more than an anthem: call it the hymn of life. These are a few examples. Hope you get the picture clear, or do I need to state more?

"Even Something as Simple As A Sunset Seems So Magical"

In a way you start feeling grateful to these discomforts, unpleasant moments and all the pains. They help you see through them, if you are willing to look, and they help you grow through them if you are willing to observe.

“The sea's only gifts are harsh blows, and occasionally the chance to feel strong. Now I don't know much about the sea, but I do know that that's the way it is here. And I also know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong but to feel strong. To measure yourself at least once. To find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions. Facing the blind death stone alone, with nothing to help you but your hands and your own head.”
― Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild

A Trip To Banares - Untangling Knots

बाबा के बैठक में बिछी चटाई , बहार रखे खड़ाऊं (At the meeting place of the wise man, there is a floor mat and outside are kept the slippers)

मिलने वाले के मन में असमंजस जाऊं या न जाऊं (There is a doubt in the mind of a man who so dearly wants to meet this wise man. And he is so caught up by this dilemma of whether to go in or stay back)

माथे तिलक आँख पर ऐनक, पोथी खुली स्वयं से बोले (The wise man has a holy mark on his forehead, spectacles on his eyes, there are holy scriptures in front of him and he talks to himself saying...)

आओ मन की गाँठे खोलें  (Come lets untangle these knots of the mind, Come lets untangle these knots of the mind.)

आओ मन की गाँठे खोलें | 

These famous lines from Aao Man Ki Ganthen Kholen by our former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee naturally comes to the mind when one thinks about Banares; now known as Varanasi. I had been planning on visiting this sacred land back from college days, but never had a chance to do so until August this year. We had been watching a few documentaries on Banares (I prefer to call this ancient city by its old name) and also there has been a mention of this place in the book: Aghora: At the left hand of god by Robert E. Svoboda. Since that time me and my friend Approv (Whom we lovingly address as 'Pondy' - where "pondy" is a slang for hindi porn literature) had been so hooked on visiting this place. But the movie Masan really cemented our wish to visit this place into action and reality. 

I wanted to visit this place chiefly because of the following 3 reasons: 

1) The funeral grounds - Where one can witness death in its crude and naked reality.

2) The age old culture and traditions

3) The mighty Ganges

The Funeral Grounds - Life and Death!

There are 2 funeral ghats at two extreme ends of the Banares coast lines. In between these two funeral ghats, spirituality, business, religion, philosophy and everything else that comprises life exists. It is a geographic symbolism to the very fact of life; death. It is between this wheel of life and death that life exists. 

We stayed close to Raja Harish Chandra Ghat because we were told it is cheaper there. We did not mind the place being very close to one of the funeral ghats of Banares; rather we were happy. It was also a place closer to Baba Kinaram Sthal and Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. Don't forget to try the famous Balushahi of Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. It comes all wrapped up in environment friendly boxes made of bamboo shoots and is being packed with lots of Tulsi leaves.  

We spent a lot of time on Harish Chandra ghat trying to realize the impermanent nature of life in the grossest manner possible by looking at the procession of funeral pyres next to us. Also we realized that there is a separate ghat for upper class and the rich of the society; Manikarnika Ghat; then there is a ghat for the lower class and poor of the society; near to which we were staying; called Raja Harish Chandra Ghat. We have not spared even death from this ugly human division of high and low, upper and lower. Life and death existed in this place at such close proximities. Such existence gives you an altogether different perspective in life which is so hard to find in Cities and concrete jungles of a metropolitan. Life moves at a different pace in these places and have a bittersweet taste to it which simply enriches the taste buds of your life experiences. I am sorry I don't have any pictures of these two ghats as we wished to honor the deceased and the privacy of the near and dear ones.

The age old culture and traditions!

"A Scene From Assi Ghat"

Banares is a city known to be founded by Shiva and is considered to be one of the oldest cities in India. From Buddha to Adi Shankracharya to Tulsidas to Guru Nanak jee everyone has some relation or the other to this place. Such is the heavy weight, age old history of this place. You will find here from different traditions to different cultures all amalgamating here in one stream of life. 

This diversity is not only limited to people, traditions and cultures, but you can see its presence in varied food options available from sweets to 'Chaat' (very spicy and piquant snack) to drinks. If you are in Banares, you should let your tastes buds run wild and go crazy. Try everything to anything. Especially the local chaat, pan (Indian Mouthfreshner) and thandai. This place is a heaven for foodies. Especially for people who love street food. 

Godowlia Chowk is the place where you can get amazing Thandai. You get this drink either plain or with Bhaang. Banarasi Thandai is prepared with melon seeds, cream, milk, rose petals, saafron, almonds, sugar, cashew and saunf. Thandai in Banaras is also available with a dose of bhang, if you’re up for trying. Bhang consists of dried leaves and buds of the female cannabis plant. 

"Shiva Thandai - Godowlia Chowk"

The Mighty Ganges:

From Rishikesh to Banares I had always been fascinated with rivers. Sitting on a river bank and watching the river flow in juxtaposition with my flowing thoughts had been my favorite past time. I can sit on a river bank for hours at a stretch without getting bored. Observing the river with the flowing thoughts in my mind, sipping tea once a while, and reading a few pages from my book has been what I was there for, majorly. 

"Chai, Book and The River! A Still From Narad Ghat"

I wanted to take a boat trip as I saw people taking it, but I let that thought pass and did not care to transform it into action. It was too much trouble. But I loved watching these boats passing by. Sometimes full with 15-20 people and sometimes only with couple of people on the entire boat. It was as if looking at them from the other side of the world and they being placed at the other end. 

"Boat Parking"

Probably these boat trips could give you a different feel of the ghats and the place. It can let you look at things from a different perspective. It will cost you somewhere between Rs. 150 - 400 (depending on the boat size and group strength) to get this perspective. I saved it for a later visit when I comeback to the place. One should always leave a thing or two undone to keep it as a reason to come back that is my modus operandi when visiting a place. 

"The Boat Ride - Break On Through To The Other Side"

There is something for everyone in this city. From someone as introverted as me to someone very gregarious and outgoing. This is a place which will not be bothered to interfere with your true being. It will let you be what you naturally choose to be....

"A Sage, Sadhu, Taking A Holy Dip In The River"

“जिन खोजा तिन पाइया, गहरे पानी पैठ, मैं बपुरा बूडन डरा, रहा किनारे बैठ।” (Those who try, they get something or the other. Just like a hard-working diver goes deep into the water and comes up with something. But there are some poor people who are sitting on the shore with fear of drowning and can not find anything.) 

So please be the diver, go out and visit this ancient city of India, lovingly called as Banares and formally known as Varanasi. 

A Short Poem Dedicated To My Backpack

"I always wonder why birds stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth. Then I ask myself the same question" – Harun Yahya

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

After sleeping off the tiredness; from the previous day's 20 hour long marathon road and rail journey; I woke up expectantly at 6:00 AM in the morning.

We had to leave for Auli; the starting point of our trek; on a hired jeep/taxi. 9:00 AM bang on schedule, finally our trek took off. I had been off cigarettes for 6 months and 5 days at the time. Let me take this opportunity to be condescending to people who are still into the habit and tell them, it is not worth it! I was witnessing a conspicuous positive change in myself as a result of leaving behind a bad habit of which I had been a slave for nearly 9 years.

"Wild Flowers And Shrubs - En route Taali, Kuari Pass Trek"

The environment was tiding itself up as we progressed our trek uphill and away from civilization. The air cleaned itself up miraculously, the scenery was changing every frame from magical to stupendous, and people were getting filtered out until only I and Mohan Jee (our cook) were left; laughing out loud and chatting animatedly. The path on the trek is not marked, but easily visible and identifiable. It is an easy trek, so no tricky curves, thin narrow paths, but an easy walk into the wild.

"On the way from Chonnya To Taali (Camp 1)"

In trekking there are campsites where there is water. Basically from Auli; on route of Kuari Pass Trek there are three campsites:

#Patihaar 
#Chonnya
#Taali

At first two campsite locations, i.e. Patihaar and Chonnya there was no water. My guide/cook Mohan Jee informed me that there had been a time some three to four years ago when there had been water at these two campsites all season long, which is now becoming scarce year after year. That was when I realized the extent of effect of global warming in its stark nakedness and not a mere conceptualization in a vicarious isolation.

"About to reach Taali - Kuari Pass Trek Path On Day One"

After 4.5 - 5 hours of walking we reached our first campsite; Taali. We all pitched our tents, had tea and went on with our own chores. I went into the woods with my book, notebook and pen. I found a spot under a tree where there was sunlight. Basking under the sun I was devouring the pages of my book. Suddenly my gaze fell upon my backpack which was lying in the corner of the kitchen tent. The entire tent was in dark with the exception of this very spot where lay my backpack. The sunlight was falling upon it like a spotlight. This sight compelled me to pull out my notebook and pen. 

"Campsite at Taali - The Kitchen Tent"

Next I was writing a poem on my backpack. After a 2 - 2.5 hours of fulfilling and uninterrupted reading and writing session; with a few pleasant disturbances of chirping of birds, humming of the bees, rustling of the leaves; I finally got up. Having finished the poem which I had started and the chapter that I was reading, I was pleased with the self, and with everything else.

"Bee's Eye View From Our Kitchen Tent"

By this time my fellow trekkers; a middle aged couple; too had arrived. Amidst the lighter moments of chatting, laughter and simple joys of life we broke our bread together. The food was prepared very well and served hot. 8:00 PM we were all in our tents, tucked in, ready to sleep and ready to wake up for the next day to come.

Following is the complete poem which I wrote sitting in the woods, under that benign sunlight:

A Poem Dedicated To My Backpack:

               "Our Backpacks With Mine In The Center"

"City you cannot hold her long with your tentacular grips
Because she is a woman of mountains and wild trips.
Your lights may amuse her in the nights but she loves sleeping under stars and moonlights.

The glitter and glamour that you throw at her it catches her attention, 
but it is the vast open spaces which has always been the fuel for her imagination.

City, in this ever changing world and surroundings, your role has been to state the obvious, 
whereas her wanderlust has been to unravel the inconspicuous.

She may seem to have city belongings, 
but mountains and wild have always been in her yearnings and longings.

The oscillating conflict in her had always been between whether to run away or stay,
Weather to follow her drapetomania, or to linger and delay."

Sanasar, Jammu and Kashmir - A short trek to Shankhpal Temple (10,000feet)

"I always wonder why birds stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth. Then I ask myself the same question" – Harun Yahya

Sanasar is a place located 19 Kilometers from Patnitop. It is famous for its small local lakes. I went here through PYResorts  as a part of their 2 days weekend camping program. This was a very spontaneous and sudden trip that was made referring to the YHAI website where this program was hosted.

So the major chronological list of events of the trip are as follows:

8th April: Left for Udhampur from New Delhi
9th April: Reached Udhampur Railway Station, and from there reached Sanasar
10th April: Trek to Shankhpal Temple
11th April: Returned to New Delhi

#Reaching Sanasar From New Delhi

I booked the tickets for this trip just 12 days in advance and got it in Waiting List of Indian Railways ticketing system. If you are travelling on Delhi - Jammu - Katra route via train, be sure of getting waiting list tickets in case you are not booking it 3 months in advance because of many people going to Vaishno Devi. Our ticket was confirmed in Railway Quota. Thanks to my Grandfather who was in railway services. So in order to reach Sanasar, you need to get down at Udhampur.

From Udhampur one needs to reach Patnitop and from Patnitop, Sanasar is 20 Kilometers away. In order to reach Patnitop from Udhampur, one may find lots of private taxis outside the Udhampur railway station. They charge somewhere between Rs. 1000 - Rs. 1600 if done on a sharing basis with 4-6 people it comes around Rs. 250 - Rs. 400 per head. From Patnitop to Sanasar there are very limited buses. They start plying after 1 PM. If you reach Patnitop early, you can just roam around in this area have food and explore some nearby temples. If you take a taxi from Patnitop to Sanasar they are very expensive and will charge you Rs. 800 - Rs 1000 for it.

The route from Patnitop via Nathatop to Sanasar is very scenic and beautiful. This route can also prove to be an ideal one for Cycling. Sanasar is lesser crowded with tourists, but it is crowded if you compare it with Demul, Spiti. Sanasar has big wide open meadows with a natural lake at the center with distant mountain ranges surrounding the landscape.

#PYResorts - Camping, Accommodation, Stay

"Camp Fire at Sanasar,  PYResorts."

Our stay was accommodated by PYResorts. It was in the form of large tents with actual beds and electricity. Our stay was covered in Rs. 1500 for two days including food and the trek next day. It was raining when we reached the place, so I will recommend that you carry a Rain Coat when travelling to Sanasar as weather in hills can be very unpredictable. I got cold and wet in rain, but the hospitality of our hosts; which was a family with two kids; was warm and kind which made up for our troubles.

After changing clothes, I was offered food and tea alongside a fireplace. Food was simple Indian food and chai was extra sweet; Indian style milk tea. I had a hearty interaction with the kids and the owners of that place PYResorts (the parents of these two kids). We played a few knowledge games. After getting all warm and replenishing the lost energy, I was ready to go up and about exploring the nearby area. The kids were interested in playing football with me. So we all went near the Lake area in the open meadow. We played rock skipping on the lake, football in the open meadow, went to a nearby temple and by 6 PM came back to our camp ground.

At 8:00 PM dinner was served. PYResorts had the fire running beside which we all had our dinner. There was another group which has joined us. We all had food, chatted a little bit, and by 9 I retired to my tent; bed. It was a day well spent.

#Trek From Sanasar To Shankpal Temple

"400 Years Old Shankhpal Temple"

It was cold outside when I woke up next day at 7 AM. But it was good to see the sun shining in its full blast opposite to previous day's rain and cloud. In the sunlit morning we had our tea and breakfast, by this time one more member has joined our group from Banglore. There were 6 of us; including me and the guide; starting the trek from Sanasar to Shankhpal Temple. We were told that we would be going as far as we could with Shankhpal Temple being our last point (if we could make it that far).

Sanasar, Patnitop, Shankhpal, Temple, Trek, PYResorts, camping, Jammu & Kashmir

"Some Company Along The Way To Shankpal Temple, Sanasar"

The trek trail is all grassy and muddy at places. There are ample water sources on the way where you can replenish your water supplies. The trek is easy. It starts with an ascent followed by a flat walk then followed by an ascent till to top to Shankhpal Temple. We were told that it is 15 kilometers on one side from Sanasar to Shankhpal Temple, but my hunch says it is 11-12 kilometers only. You will find the Gulmarg mountain ranges on your right and the green meadows of Sanasar and Patnitop on your left. The route is not marked, but you will find many shepherds on the way who can guide you to the right path. One does not necessarily need a guide for this trek. We easily completed the trek in 5 hours. We started as a group of 6 but were left with 4 people when 2 members of our group decided to retract to Sanasar for which I am still thankful to them, otherwise we would have not been able to make it all the way up to the top till Shankhpal Temple.

Sanasar, Patnitop, Shankhpal, Temple, Trek, PYResorts, camping, Jammu & Kashmir

"The Muddy Trail To Shankhpal Temple"

Don't expect snow on this trek if you are doing it in March-May-July. When we reached the top where Shankhpal Temple is located (2897 Meters) we were been given a complimentary gift by nature in form of a snow patch which was still there. We completed the entire trek in 5 hours - 5.5 hours, bringing back some snow for the two of our fellow campers; who left the trek midway for us.

"On the way back from Shankpal Temple Peak"

“Bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya:

For the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world.” 
― Gautama Buddha

Birthday Bash! Dharamkot - Triund - Snowline - Ilaka – Day 2-3. Days of New Friendships and Realizations

The following are the entries in my Travel Journal of the last remaining days of this trip:

# Saw another guide and a foreigner dashing past me when I was returning from Ilaaka area. First emotion had been of jealousy. They were going towards Lahesh Cave which I had so recently given up. Then this negative feeling melted away and turned itself into good wishes and of admiration towards these two.

# Discovered that the foreigner's name is Shane and his nationality is New Zealand. He and his guide Mahendra had made it till Lahesh Cave. Felt genuine respect and adulation towards these two.

# Weather getting worse from bad.

# Had warm and hearty chats with Shane, a French couple, Sukhi and Herman from the Indian Air Force Services. Ate, Drank Tea, Coffee.

# Hail Storm, from Low to Medium to Death Metal followed by silent snowfall (Simon and Garfunkel) 

# Dinner at 8. Feeling scared and anxious as weather getting worse and worse.

DAY 5

# Woke up at 6:30.

# No improvement in weather conditions. Not feeling scared anymore. Slept well over my last night's fear and anxiousness. Feeling a lot better instead of worsening weather conditions outside.

# 10:00 AM - Had breakfast and coffee with Shane and the Airforce soldiers. A weather window opened up. The heavy winds and snow they stopped. Till now god was playing and pausing the winds and snow. Now he has pressed the stop button on it.

# This was our weather window to start the descend. The airforce group had decided to stay. Shane and Mahendra have decided to make it for Triund. My decision was to follow Shane and Mahendra the guide as all the yellow markings and the trail path are buried in heavy layers of fresh snow.

                   "On The Way To Triund"

# Feeling more confident walking on snow.

# Came back to Triund safely in record time of 50-60 minutes.

                  "Triund Covered In Snow"

# Had tea, chit chatted in general at Triund.

# From Triund everything was a cakewalk. We came storming down; jesting and laughing, with periods of silent descend. Picked up all the litter and garbage along the way in my rucksack's rain cover.

# Reached Mcleodganj. Had sumptuous lunch with Shane at a Tibetan restaurant. Noodles and rice in Thai Vegetable curry. Peach iced tea and banana shake to gulp it all down.

# Shared the contact details. Wished each other luck and parted.

# Collected all my leftover belongings from Dharamkot in the midst of heavy hailstorm. 

# Booked my bus to Delhi for 7:00 PM. Bus on time. 7:15 PM started for Delhi.

# BIRTHDAY WELL SPENT

Birthday Bash! Dharamkot - Triund - Snowline - Ilaka – Day 2 - Strolling And Fooling Around Can Be Fun Too!

#Strolling Around

After the snowfall was over, the entire snowline - Illaka area was covered in Snow. I took a long walk to the nearby places testing my new Quechua Forclaz 100 which I got as a Birthday gift from my Aunts. This shoe is brilliant. It has good grip especially on snow. Also it is about 75-80% waterproof. I would recommend that you should always buy trekking shoes one size bigger than your normal size. I did what I preach, following this useful advice from the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It provided me that extra space and cushion during descends while protecting my toes from getting hurt or crushed. A pair of good trekking shoes has the capability of transforming your trekking experience from a good one to an awesome one. I had never realized the power of right gears and equipment until now. @Chidiyyaaa and @meera.in.me had also gifted me a pair of warm track pants from Adidas. I would like to use this opportunity to thank them and my Aunts for such utilitarian gifts. These gifts enriched and enhanced my overall trekking experience many folds.

"Indrahar Pass Mountain Range, Covered with Clouds"

I was missing a Guide at this point in time. Being alone and walking unknown paths sounds adventurous. But no matter how much adventurous it may sound, one should always think and operate in certain comfort level when dealing with nature. Keep a feeling of respect and reverence towards nature and it will treat you the same way. I can see the way towards Lahesh Cave from Illaka, but as the weather was unpredictable and I had my own apprehensions about snow and snowfalls, I abstained myself from taking that path. I retracted my steps back to Snowline cafe camp with a heavy heart. I was also getting hungry and the Snowfall was growing heavy too. 

#Hijacking A Group Guide

I was alone in the Snowline Cafe Mansion sipping my tea, eating bread omelette and talking to the shop owner about the possibility of people coming in such bad weather. As we were speaking I heard some voices and saw a group of 3 people approaching the cafe. They were going further towards Illaka. They had a Guide. I thought I will go with them farther into the Illaka area and if I feel confident and good I will go to Lahesh Cave alone. This Guide had 2 clients with him. They both were from Delhi. They were good and kind people, but were not very good hikers. They gave up mid way between Snowline cafe and Illaka. Their Guide and I made it all the way to Illaka area leaving the other two midway on a snow cliff stuck and struggling. 

"Hijacking the Group Guide"

"Mission Accomplished. Guide Hijacked!"

We both were happy to reach the destined location. But I wanted to go further all the way to Lahesh cave. So after taking a few selfies I asked the Guide about the way. He advised me not to go alone in such bad weather but showed me the path to Lahesh Cave anyways. I was in a limbo. Then something clicked and I finally gave up on Lahesh Cave in my mind and heart. I thought may be this is not the right time, may be some other time. I made a mental note that I will be coming here and doing the Indrahar Pass Trek next year. Our guide took some more pictures and asked me if I wished to return to Snowline Cafe with him. I said yes with a heavy heart and we both made our way back to Snowline Cafe, picking our abandoned, half dead trekking soldiers on the way.  

Birthday Bash! Dharamkot - Triund - Snowline - Ilaka – Day 2 - First Snowfall

#Campfire And Time To Sleep

Snowline Cafe, 5th Of March. There were 10 of us who stayed back at Snowline cafe after the cafe owner asked a group to return to Triund as there was scarcity of space. We all collected woods from the nearby area for the evening's campfire, spreading out community vibes. This group of 9 people consisted of 6 students and 3 working class people. It was good fun. The kids were doing Engineering from a modest college in Chandigarh. We had the fire going. It was getting chilly as the night was progressing. We laughed, joked sitting in a circle around the fire. The college lads brought freshness to the group with their silly jokes and pranks. The 3 adults were more and partly serious but avidly took part in the silly conversation that was going on about girlfriend issues. At 9 PM our host called us in for food. by 9:30 we all were in our spot, ready to sleep. The place was all crammed and packed with 10 sleeping bodies lying adolescent to each other. We all slept sound and well in tiredness in spite of the discomfort of the place.

#First Snowfall

“I was in love, and the feeling was even more wonderful than I ever imagined it could be.” 
― Nicholas Sparks

First hand experiences are always better than vicarious experiences. Moreover if you are experiencing it for the first time. 4:30 AM was on the clock and 6th of March on the calendar. I was woken up by gushes of water droplets hitting my face. It was still dark outside, I thought it is raining as I was checking my sleeping bag for any kind of serious wetness. There was no cover on the front entry of the shop from where the gush of wind was bringing water droplets inside. I was getting more and more worried about my sleeping bag getting wet. I managed to find a spare blanket. I pulled it on top of my sleeping bag and face. I went to sleep after this. I woke up at 6:30 AM; when the sun had just started to come out; with everyone else. When I looked outside what was green a few hours ago has turned itself into white. It was not rain but snowfall that was taking place since 4:30 AM in the morning. It was still snowing outside. This was me witnessing my first snowfall of my life and that too on my Birthday. This was nature's birthday gift for me.

"Snowline Cafe Submerged Under Fresh Snow"

All the young lads went crazy at the site of fresh snow outside. I broke the news about my birthday to others at this point. There was jubilation, excitement and happiness in the air. Everyone congratulated me. We all played a little in the snow and took group pictures with the college gang. The college lads and the 3 adults had to leave, We bode our goodbyes and thanked each other for the wonderful time that we have spent together. 

After they left, I had the entire day at my disposal. The thought of this prospect made me feel expectantly happy and hesitantly unsure because I had Lahesh Cave in my sight and fresh snow under my feet. My experience of  walking on snow is very limited and sketchy. So after Breakfast I went out to survey the fresh snow. Walked to near by places, getting my feet and body adjusted to walking on snow. Building my confidence and enjoying everything that was unfolding on this day. 

  

Birthday Bash! Dharamkot - Triund - Snowline - Ilaka – The Trek Starts

#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"

Birthday Bash! Dharamkot - Triund - Snowline - Ilaka - Initial Days

#To Catch A Moving Bus

It was 2nd of March 2016 and I had a 9:22 PM bus to catch. With that in mind I got up and got ready to leave for office early that day. The dilemma was whether or not to go to office on cycle. After a few deliberations I decided on going to office on Cycle that day. I reached office at 1 PM thinking that I will mark half day and leave office early at 6:30. Feeling confident that 3 hours will be more than enough to reach ISBT from my den in Noida. I was forgetting or rather ignoring the fact that I was on cycle and there had been no packing done. I left office (which is 15 kms. away from my home) at 6:30 PM and started cycling towards my home. Reached home at 7:30 PM with less than 2 hours in my hands.

Now was the time that I started getting scared of the fact that I will miss my bus. I was packing my backpack with very little time left for thinking what to pick and what not to pick. In the end my rucksack was jam packed with jacket and shoes hanging out from it. I wish I had more time, because I then realized that my backpack had 60-70%  useless contents which I was never going to use on my trip. Here I would like to throw a list of essentials to pack, rest all is useless:

1) 2-3 T-shirts
2) 1 or 2 pair of Jeans
3) 2 warm track pants
4) 2-3 underwear
5) 2 pair of socks
6) Heart and will

Backpack - Finally Packed, Jam Packed

Finally I reached ISBT at 9:30 PM, running, huffing and puffing. When I reached the Himachal Transport stand I came to know that my bus had left. I was in shock and despair for a few minutes, then another person told me to run as the bus is still in the process of leaving and showed me the moving bus. I ran with all my might towards the bus with my heavy bag and eventually caught it. I was grinning from ear to ear and must have been looking so crazy that everyone in the bus was staring at me. A thought crossed my mind "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" by Aristotle.

#Dharamkot and Mcleodganj

Next day I was in Mcleodganj. I had to buy mattress and raincoat as I was planning to sleep in Lahesh Cave for one day and not to get myself wet. I bought those two items for Rs. 1000, 500 each. I reached Dharamkot; which is 2-3 Kilometers walk from Mcleodganj; late in the morning. It is always wise to stay in Dharamkot as it is quieter, less crowded, and cheaper than Mcleodganj. After booking my room for Rs. 500 a day at Paul Room Service I headed out for Breakfast.  Nothing beats the Indian Breakfast in sumptuousness and fulfillness. I had a filling breakfast after which I strolled, read, and relaxed in the Dharamkot area till evening and after dinner slept early.

Indian Breakfast At Trek And Dine, Dharamkot

Next day after sleeping off the tiredness and having breakfast I decided to go for evening group sitting in Dhamma Sikhara for Vipassana.  This center is closed till mid March is what I came to learn from the locals. As I was returning from the center I observed the shops being closed. After walking a few steps I saw a funeral march of someone who had died a few hours ago the same day. The entire town was a part of that march as I could see some familiar faces of local shop owners and workers. I too said my prayers for the dead and walked on. All the shops in the area were closed. I retired to my room feeling uneasy and disturbed. Later on after my meditation I went to sought my dinner. It was dark and all the lights in the town were shut off and all the shops and restaurants in the area were closed too. I came to know that this was to pay homage to the dead. The dead was no monk, no politician but an ordinary citizen who has died a natural death out of old age. I was literally moved upon encountering such solidarity and community feeling which so much is absent from where I belong. I found a small restaurant open. They too had all the lights off, so I had my silent and reflective dinner under candle light and went to sleep right after it.