A few years ago, during winter in northeast India, I had my first trekking experience in the Himalayas. It was more of a leisurely tour. However, this time, Chetan and I set out with the goal of climbing some hills.
Upon our arrival at Srinagar Airbase, we were informed about a massive landslide that had led to road closures. As a nature enthusiast, I strongly believe that cutting through mountains for road construction and development is not the right approach. It is essential to protect mountains, forests, and their ecosystems.
The Himalayan landslide caused extensive damage to an entire village. After driving nearly 20 kilometers, we were stopped by local police due to the road closure. We engaged with locals, army personnel, and shopkeepers, who all tried to reassure us that the roads would reopen soon. After a three-hour wait in the hot afternoon in Kashmir, we were granted permission to continue. Passing through mountains and alongside the Sindh River, we reached Sonmarg and took a tea break. Since our early morning flight, neither Chetan nor I had eaten, so the hot bread, butter, and delightful tea instantly refreshed us. We were now ready for the final 20-kilometer journey to Baltal, our base camp for the Amarnath Darshan. By 5:00 pm, we had reached the base camp, completed security checks, and settled into our tent. We quickly completed the necessary formalities and obtained the RFID card required for visiting the Holy Cave the next day. Our base camp was bustling with pilgrims from various states, offering shops selling woolen clothes, shoes, and religious items. We enjoyed delicious food at the community kitchens run by devotees and NGOs. As a frequent traveler, I must stress that we received excellent food and clean drinking water without any cost. It is crucial to make wise choices regarding food consumption, prioritize fitness and health throughout the pilgrimage.
We did not make any special preparations for the 3800-meter climb the next day, but we sought advice from experienced pilgrims. Mentally prepared for the upcoming challenge, we understood that the following day would be demanding.
Adequate rest before engaging in strenuous physical activity is crucial. We retired to bed at 9 pm and woke up at 3:30 am the next day. After completing our morning routines, we were ready to start our hike in the Himalayan mountains. Equipped with warm clothes, shoes, rain gear, water bottles, and sticks, we began our trek at 4:50 am, making two tea breaks and passing security checks as we hastened our pace towards the mountains. We had to cover 14 kilometers in the shortest time possible, estimating around 6 hours due to the steep terrain and weather challenges.
As part of a group of over 100 people, we gradually distanced ourselves from the others. The initial 3-4 kilometers were manageable, and we walked energetically. The presence of armed security guards from the BSF and the Indian Army stationed every 100 meters for our safety was reassuring and a highlight of the trek. Having companions throughout the journey was comforting, especially during the final stages. Our first significant break came after reaching the 4-kilometer mark, as there were no food or rest stops until another 4-5 kilometers. After refreshing ourselves with tea and cookies, we continued our hike, deciding to stick together, although Chetan's pace slowed down during the initial two steep climbs.
The second phase of the 4 kilometers was extremely challenging due to heavy rains and muddy roads. The Halwa Chana provided by the Lunghars gave us the energy to tackle the next level. Near the Cave, we encountered two steep hills and about 100 steps to climb to reach our final destination. The brief 2-minute darshan was truly rejuvenating. Har har Mahadev!
Our return journey commenced at 3:30 pm, and we reached the base camp by 7:00 pm. The return was quicker due to rest, recovery, and the delicious food provided by the Lunghars near the Holy Cave.
During our final discussion in the tent, I would like to emphasize that the ultimate achievement is more important than how quickly we accomplished it. It's about the experiences gained from the journey.
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