By Priya Singh (22nd February, 2008)
Finding your way up a steep slippage path of rock full of snow and boulders
at 5000 meters with little food and water in a small backpack,no trail
ahead, none behind but only you trying to surpass the lofty difficult path
of Dhauladhar range, unlimited excitement and obscure fear in the middle of
nowhere.
Trekking wasn't in my mind until I reached Mcleodganj. The place instantly
kindled a sense of extreme desire to touch the lofty ranges of mountains
clearly seen from my hotel. It was a 14 km journey from Mcleodganj to
Dharamkot. Dharamkot was the base point to start the trek to Dhauladhar
range. Trekkers mainly trek to Chamba valley going around the Himalayan
ranges. I got no enthusiasm to travel to Chamba but had another plans. But I
was not much prepared for those long treks, only thing I knew I wanted to
feel the snow. There were no plans, no preparation, even coming to
Mcleodganj was a bizarre idea bubbled into my mind in the way back to my
home in Delhi. In Mcleodganj there were many agencies who conducted trek to
snow clad Dhauladhar ranges but i never intended to walk with a group. I
just wanted to lost myself in the beautiful valley.
It was indeed a difficult proposition as the temperature dipped to its
best low, only support was the sweet sunshine that bloomed exquisitely on
the valley. It has never being easy to have a magical tryst with mighty
Himalaya. Even i didn’t carry appropriate equipments with me, only
things played a helpful hands were a bottle of brandy and lots of tobacco.
Tibet and Nepal may dominate most adventurer’s imaginations but Indian
Himalayan ranges have its own surprising dreams and conspires to attract
countless travelers to win countless ranges. Dhauladhar range is the
southern branch of the main Himalayan chain of mountains. Its also known as
white mountains about 5,639 meter high. The mountain ranges are embellished
by pine and deodhar forests. Exceptional trekking and mountaineering
opportunities is a given along the range. From Mcleodganj, which is a small
town in Himachal Pradesh also known as ‘Little Tibet’ because of
its strong Tibetan influence and culture, the place is simply beautiful.
From Mcleodganj people trekked to Bharmaur in Chamba valley Bypassing
Dhauladhar mountains.
Walking unprepared I found on the way huts and rest houses for trekkers
scattered throughout the mountains. Dry and sunny morning and misty
afternoon promote variety of species of flowers, orchids, unknown shrubs and
herbs and pine trees stood smiling on the way. With limited equipments, the
trek had a major ankle sprain potential and few places to resupply, which in
turn makes it fairly impossible. But I was determined to make the impossible
to possible and finally to convinced my ambition when sun glittered on the
powdery snow on the range, for me it was a magic hour as I was standing
alone and took a deep breath. Yes, a little bit of my life was successful.
Indian Himalayan Destinations
Gangtok
Manali
Darjeeling
Leh Ladakh
Himalayan Adventure
Trekking
Rock Climbing
