Survival lessons🐻 -Of Me✨️ & Mountains⛰️

Blog 8

The Pindari glacier trek (PART C)

It was my first time at such high altitudes, to get adjusted to the lower oxygen levels with increasing altitude, acclimatization is very crucial in any high altitude treks, say above 9000ft. During my first few days in Dehradun, I felt a bit suffocated due to the altitude, but I gradually got adjusted. Similarly, In dwali, we camped for one day, for the same reason.

Dwali felt so comfortable, some cozy small shops were there, serving maggi and I could buy some dairymilks🍫 as well. Nearby was the beauty of the trail, the river.(which river?..I'll tell you later) During the entire trek unpacking and packing was a normal activity and I used the free time to explore the nearby surroundings.

                             Dwali

And the best part of it all, the late evening survival lessons. We trekked some distance after sunset, noises were made, so the bears could hear(nocturnal creatures), and two of us at a time, had to return to the campsite after every 5 min intervals in darkness. I was so exited and curious. I could not see anything , it was quite dark and trail was rocky. 

All of us returned , except three who were capturing the picture of the Moon. We were siting inside the big tent and discussions were going on, suddenly we heard loud screams, one trekmate came running after spotting the black bear with shining eyes, followed by the other two. This incident occured just 2 min after I had reached and the bear was just in 500 m radius around the campsite.

Even then and now I imagine what would have been by reaction if I were in their place at that time and the worst scenario ,the bear would have attacked me,come on ,I am an eternal optimist, and I think I would have somehow escaped:)).

Mostly here,I have tried to confine to my experience though many thrilling stuff had happened every now and then.Now, let me go back to the River...

#intuitively flowing towards mountains!🌊⛰️✨️

-Dakshitha

Fever trills & imaginary bears🐻- Of Me✨️ & Mountains⛰️

The Pindari glacier trek  (PART B)

Blog 7

"Nature gives us many red flags , but we are soo overwhelmed, we ignore it."

Especially in life risking treks, intuition plays a crucial role. Even before I started trekking, I got fever, because my haversack was around 15 kgs.I could not carry it on, later at the Khati village(7000 ft)- the  starting point I left behind many things, reduced it to 10 kg.

But still I could hardly walk, due to lack of sleep for 2 days before trek due to unexpected reasons, delayed train, rollercoaster bus ride to the village.

Due to delay, our team started trekking the same day. As per the route , the trek trail was well laid, but full of up and down hills.I was unsure of what was ahead. No idea about anything.I was informed it was 11 km trek from Khati to Dwali(Camp site 1). At the rate of 4 km/hr , we had to reach by 3 hours. 

But then, I felt the trail was endless, endless walking, it was actually about 14kms. I was feeling feverish, not a campsite visible even after the 11km mark. Being the first day, I focussed more on reaching on time.I had captured some videos and photos that day, that caused delay as well.The trail was so amazing, with many waterfalls and bridges, can you resist not clicking any pics? .Started at afternoon 12 pm, it was evening , got dark , bear threats???...

After continous walking , no lens👓, I started getting illusions,in the far off distance- a tree bark, appeared like a bear. Even the imaginary bears did not scare me.But what did was the trail.. but after many hours we(2 of us) reached some piles of rocks near the river bed, the campsite was finally visible.

                  Campsite in day time 

                        Rocky River bed
 That moment, I forgot all the things that would have bothered me on any normal day , that day, I felt a renewed sense of energy .It took me 45 min to reach the visible campsite as It was tricky climbing on big rocks in little light and with many illusions. Finally when I reached,post sunset It was already dark, I had never felt that much tiredness and relieved at the same time in my lifetime. No exaggeration!

Sitting down in a cozy tent among others felt like a luxuary, and taking  deep breaths felt like a privilage.At the end of it all, I forgot when I started the trek, forgot about the fever, it was like it was never there at all.To capture the exact feeling, My mind was still.The best part was there was no network, the cable was completely disconnected and connected to Nature. Nothing in the world bothered me anymore, All I thought of was, I deserved a good night sleep and before that some food as well. It was the same food I had in my hostel, usual boring Rajma chawal ,Roti & achar, but I enjoyed it like never before, taste did not matter even a bit, (I was tired!). Then at Dwali(11,000ft). After that...

What about acclimatization??

#intuitively flowing towards mountains!🌊⛰️✨️

-Dakshitha

The Pindari glacier trek - Of Me✨️ & Mountains⛰️

Blog 6(PART A)

Have you ever experienced how if feels when you reach the top of the mountain or say the summit?....In my experience, I feel exhausted physically many a times, but feels mentally refreshing , I enjoy the entire trek, though sometimes it was even difficult to take a single step.I forget about every single thing, for sure forgot about my phone, except for some photohraphs📸.

For the first time in my life, I trekked to the himalayan ranges, The Pindari glacier (12,500 ft above sea level)and Mount Baljuri - it is an impressive mountain peak situated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, close to the Pindari Glacier and Nanda Devi National Park, but could not attempt for the Baljuri Peak (19,500 ft) due to bad weather and no proper trail as it was a less trekked mountain, but still successfully reached the Base camp. It was a life changing experience for me , like it took me one month to recover and come back to non- trek mode after I returned.The sun got me fully tanned and trek made me thin..I can literally write 100's of pages about my experience , but not a single word can justify the precious moments of joy and absolute presence....but still I want to share!

The trek was of ten days - September 23rd - October 2nd 2023. And aimed to reach the Pindari glacier - Zero point and The Mount Baljuri Summit. We had a group of local porters, some much experienced and some not. The entire trek was a thrilling adventure, I mean it, when I used the word thrilling...

Several months after the trek, I decided to write about it , as every memory of this unforgettable trek still lives within, very much alive !!

#intuitively flowing towards mountains!🌊⛰️✨️

-Dakshitha

Winter Rain🌧🥶 - The Doon Valley musings!⛰️

Blog 5

Do you love rainy days? ... I do...But not a rainy day in winter that brings with it, a cold wave and makes the day even colder. The sun vanishes for the day, before sunset. But I love the petrichor, the earth's perfume which makes the day soo fragrant. The dust in air settles down and I sigh whispering (finally I am able to inhale some fresh air).

 I feel nostalgic about winter rain's especially, when I was a school kid, back at my place ,the winter's were milder, the evening rains were pleasant and soothing and I would yearn to eat anything nice and a drink a hot cup of Tea and wish the weather remains the same. And pray that it would be wonderful if it was a holiday, because I could extend my nap a little longer. Some times my wishes were full filled and sometimes not, But now I cherish all those sweet memories, though it might have not been sweet at that moment in time.

Here in Dehradun, I feel the same. But I don't wish for a Holiday, I love going to college everyday, all those activities, which pop out of the blue to keep me engaged all day and I don't wish to drench in the winter rain's here , but simply enjoy how the silent rain beautifully  makes my day calm and green.

#just loving the vibe of Dehradun!✨️

-Dakshitha

Monkey Menace🐒 - The Doon Valley musings!⛰️

Blog 4

Do you have a Monkey mind or a Monk mind? This blog is not about the mind, it is all about monkeys! I don't know why, I feel that the name Monkey suits those creatures soo perfectly. Can you think of any other name to call a monkey, other than a monkey. I know it sounds silly, but still makes sense right ?

They don't leave any bin unexplored in my college campus.They eat every damn thing we eat..be it a cup of coffee or not-so-delicious pizza.😉That never bothered me anyway..but only once it did, when I was eating an icecream after a eternity, I had to inevitably give it to them.It would not leave until you drop the food you have in your hands. They are such naughty and playful creatures..

But cute and caring as well; they teach us many things we may have forgotten.I adore them for everything they do.They even often visit me at my hostel, we are such good friends; they visit without any prior information and eat anything they want, without any permission!

They value the food they eat. As I have observed, they do not follow any diet and eat lots of junk food. But rely mainly on physical activities such as aerobics for physical fitness, I don't know about their mental fitness, because it has a Monkey mind!

Btw ,all the pics were captured by me!

#just loving the vibe of Dehradun!✨️

-Dakshitha

WINTER is special - The Doon Valley musings!⛰️

Blog 3

This is the first ever cold winter in my life.The place I grew up, had warmer winters. So this winter in dehradun is special and memorable to me.

The weather was good in october, but then slowly as days passed, the floor became cold, my feet froze. I called it winter, sorry they call it winter. Just in august when my semester started, it used to rain, and my college campus was full of colourful umbrellas, surrounded by green mountains and fresh air.

In winters , I saw a lot of hoddies and warm cloths..yeah In my college, I also witnessed and got to know that some never felt cold, in this cold weather.

I learnt how to keep myself warm and why it is important to do so..the answer is to stay warm, you get it right?

In Rainy days...

                       In Winter days...

With pro's, comes it's best friend called con's...it is that, the air is not fresh in the doon valley ,because there is no rain, to settledown the particles in the air. Most importantly, the green mountains do not appear green.This made me realise the importance of rainy days though they were annoying at times, due to muddy roads, you know. And I started to appreciate the warm sun rays in the morning, which made me forget the cold nights. Winter is special. Don't you agree?

#just enjoying the vibe of Dehradun✨️

-Dakshitha

Lovely day - The Doon Valley musings!⛰️

Blog 2

LOVELY DAY! 🌞

On this Lovely day,

I'm enjoying the light ray.

Gently touching my skin,

making me feel warm and cozy in,

Winter mornings, after cold nights.

I hope it remains sunny all day.

I'm enjoying the light ray.

Gently touching my skin,

making me feel warm and cozy in,

Winter mornings, after cold nights.

                                                     

 -Dakshitha