My first experience in Himalayas was spellbinding. To stand and gaze at the mighty mountains was utterly fabulous. The mountain air evokes the soul within you and certainly come back to the plains a changed person. It is so sublime that I have goosebumps just thinking about it.
Me and Mt. Kanchenjunga in the background
Days and days pass by
My love for them stands by
It is a calling I cannot ignore
For I long for them forever more!
I have been visiting Himalayas every year now.
Well do visit Himalayas, the abode of mighty mountains and bliss!
Or have you been to Himalayas and how was your experience?
Well it is Day 2 of #AtoZ Blogging Challenge. Letter ‘B’, I would like to go with the profound Being/ Be you/ Be yourself.
We tend to forget all about being ourselves in this world. Maybe by getting lost in mundane things, on a never ending race of materialistic pursuits, thinking about unnecessary irrelevant stuffs, echoing negativity in our thoughts and action.
Well life would be simple if you let yourself Being You!
Be weird
Be happy
Be peaceful
Be authentic
Be crazy
Be in love
Be kind
Be humble
Be positive
Be gracious
Be fearless
Be Amazing
Be Awesome
Be Content
Be Bold
Be Strong
Be YOU!
Firstly, be all the above things to yourself before you can pass it onto others!
“You cannot go! It is dangerous. The weather is bad. You cannot see the path, you will get lost! Read this notice….”
My friend and me stared at the Hotel concierge as he said the most discouraging words. He kept aside the tray which he was carrying and waited for our decision for the D day.
We read the most saddening Govt. Notice for trekkers, climbers to not get atop the mountain in harsh rainy conditions. And to take a local guide along the trail.
It was raining cats and dogs, McLeodganj seemed to be on a high!
We asked about the Guide whereabouts to which the concierge happily gave the details and made sure that we won’t leave without the guide. 🙂
As the rain pelted against the window panes, we shared the news with our third fellow trekker.
After analysing the pros and cons, we decided to take on the trail but with a guide after all, trekking in the rains on the Himalayas is a risky affair all the more!
We hit the sack hoping that the next day was sunny enough to make it to the beautiful Dhauladhar ranges.
Morning turned out to be sunny and magnificent! The quaint town of McLeodganj was getting ready for the usual hustle bustle after a heavy downpour. But we did get a guide who accepted our proposal to take us along and we headed for the trail right away.
Triund trek is the most beautiful and scenic trek in Himachal Pradesh. The trek starts from Galu Devi temple, 2 km ahead of McLeodganj. Nestled in the Kangra valley, it offers a hike through Deodar, Rhododendron forests and of course gives a magnanimous view of the mighty Dhauladhar range and the Kangra valley.
Clouds passing by the Dhauladhar range
We met our guide who happened to be very courteous and we gained insight about Himachal Pradesh as well through him. We started the hike close to 9:45 AM after registering our names at the Start point, a protocol closely followed by the Forest Department.
After an hour’s walk along the deodar trees, rhododendron trees we reached a stony path from where we could see the Dharamsala Cricket stadium, the stadium at the highest altitude in India at about 4780 feet above sea level.
Further walk through stony paths, we reached the Magic View Cafe which is the oldest cafe. A cup of hot tea soothed our throats and energized us for the rest of the journey. The clouds played around and brought in a slight chill to the air around. Being a Monday not many trekkers, local crowd were present on the trail. But a lot of them were on the way back after spending the Sunday night at Triund Hill.
Triund Trail
The stony path was now damp owing to a nearby small waterfall. But when it rains, the path would be very risky to tread upon. The villagers who were on the trail, time and again advised us not to walk at the edge of the path owing to uneven ground and loose stones.
As we hiked up the hill we came across yet another cafe Scenic View. With tad bit of a rest we hiked towards the last leg of the trail- The famous 22 curves before the Triund peak. It was a hike along stony paths, mushroom laden trunks of trees, lovely flowers with the mesmerising dew on the petals. The clouds did cover the trail on and off.
Lovely colorful Mushrooms on a fallen tree…
After a hiking for four hours, I reached the peak. A lush green meadow ran across the hill. A couple of cafes were present which catered to the needs of the few then trekkers.
The TRIO at the Triund Peak
As we strolled about the meadow, the clouds impulsively gave way to the Himalayas. The slightly snow clad Dhauladhar ranges came into view. It was a marvelous sight. As the clouds played about, we could catch a glimpse of Mcleodganj, Bhagsu way below.
Meadows, Ranges, Clouds at Triund Hill
After a sumptuous lunch of Roti, Rice and yummy Dal, we headed towards our tent with a view of the Kangra valley and the Dhauladhar ranges towards the side.
For our Siesta!
After a long stroll up and down the meadow, we retired for the night under a cloudy sky. We woke up to a not so cloudy day and welcomed the sunrise!
Sunrise atop Triund!
As we bid goodbye to the ranges and the valley, McLeodganj ushered us to explore the quaint town and the Dalai Lama Temple…. More on in the next post….
Well that was the end to the lovely Triund trek. Plan for it and enjoy the enthralling journey and the lovely mountains of course!
Love yourself, embark upon new journeys, travel to the far flung places, believe in your dreams, love your near and dear ones, work towards a healthy well-being and embrace each day each moment. Try something new, weird and crazy this year! Make sure your intentions go with it! 😉
Well enjoy and have a fabulous 2017. Happy New Year! 😀
Cheers to Love, Happiness, Peace!
“There is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun!”
So bring on the new you, better you and of course KNOW THYSELF!
SHOEPENLENS 