Continued from here. . .
We learnt from our guide that, we need to cover only 6-8 km on second day. It was kind of leisure walk in the mountains filled with fresh snow. Previous day we experienced severe cold though we were covered by thick 4 layered sleeping bag. That's how the weather will be going forward, gaining the altitude. We realized that our last camp at Tali top would be the coldest days we are going to experience in next couple of days. Camp fire was the lonely saviour from the extreme cold. Morning situation was not different than previous night. We were not able to wash our face with cold water. Our helper Aravind ji provided us warm water. By the time we finished all our morning duties, healthy breakfast was ready. All of us were very curious about the breakfast, as we did not know what it would be. Our guide Sanjay ji told that it consists of high protein and provides lot of energy for the day's hike. It was Porridge for the breakfast, which was made of broken wheat, milk and sugar. Perfect morning breakfast for the trekkers.
We learnt from our guide that, we need to cover only 6-8 km on second day. It was kind of leisure walk in the mountains filled with fresh snow. Previous day we experienced severe cold though we were covered by thick 4 layered sleeping bag. That's how the weather will be going forward, gaining the altitude. We realized that our last camp at Tali top would be the coldest days we are going to experience in next couple of days. Camp fire was the lonely saviour from the extreme cold. Morning situation was not different than previous night. We were not able to wash our face with cold water. Our helper Aravind ji provided us warm water. By the time we finished all our morning duties, healthy breakfast was ready. All of us were very curious about the breakfast, as we did not know what it would be. Our guide Sanjay ji told that it consists of high protein and provides lot of energy for the day's hike. It was Porridge for the breakfast, which was made of broken wheat, milk and sugar. Perfect morning breakfast for the trekkers.
Again mules arrived on time, we packed all the stuffs and loaded on mules. Started our journey by 9:30 am. From Chitrakhana top you have 2 routes to reach Kuari Pass. One goes through Khullara and other through Tali top. Our guide told that TTH(trek the Himalayas) members would choose Khullara path, so we decided to take the Tali top route. It was very much silent in the valley. As we went on gaining altitude, the intensity of snow increased. We played in the snow for almost an hour and still we wanted to be in the snow and enjoy utmost.
As I covered the path in brisk pace, at many place I was the lonely specie enjoying the chill weather, listening to rhododendron leaves rustling, making my own route, reached the fixed camp of TTH. On enquiring the people at the camp, got to know that I have climbed little further away from the Kuari Pass path towards Gorson bugyal. Then one of the helper from TTH guided me to the right path and showed our camp site at Tali top. Mules were getting ready to go back to their village. I lent my hand in pitching tent and accompanied helper Aravind ji in getting water. It was 12 pm when I settled in the tent. It was almost 1 and half hr since I reached camp site, still there were no signs of our fellow trekkers. I asked my guide who reached campsite just before I woke up from power nap @1 pm. Indeed they were busy playing in the snow. Finally they arrived at the campsite around 2 pm with exhausted faces. Lunch was ready by the time they reached campsite.
TTH(Trek The Himalayas) fixed camp at Tali Top
Camp site at Tali Top
View from our tent
We finished our lunch and we did not wanted to finish our day's trek so early. Our guide suggested us to go 2 km further from the campsite towards Khullara top and come back to camp site before dusk. After taking good rest till 4 pm, we geared up for the evening walk towards Khullara top. The path was completely covered by snow. After some time path opened up and we could see white snowy mountains all around. There was 3-4 feet of snow at some point. We started playing again . Made 2 different teams and started throwing snow balls at each other. We spotted Mt. Nandadevi, Mt. Dronagiri, Hathi parvath in the vicinity. It was time now to return back to our campsite. Almost near the campsite I got a chance to capture Mt. Nandadevi turning red blood during dusk. What a divine breathtaking view it was...!!😃😍. Beauty of Himalayan range especially at dawn and dusk is a real treat to watch and a scenic view to die for.
Getting ready for the evening walk
In-front of Mt Nandadevi
Mt. Nandadevi during dusk
We came back to our campsite by 6 pm and delicious hot soup was ready to be served. It was the time around 7 pm and temperature started to dip below 0 deg. Again the lonely saviour was bonfire. Had our sumptuous dinner by 8:30 pm. Next day would be our toughest day in the Himalayas. Yes, the summit day was around the corners. As the time passed, it got colder and colder. Most of our mobiles started behaving abnormal giving us the hint of lowest temperature around us. Water outside the tent started freezing. 3 layers of warm clothing and 4 layered sleeping bag was not enough to tackle the severe cold.
Summit Day write up . . .
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