Mt. Friendship: in search of an elixir !!!
It was a blissful evening when I came to know about this expedition. As part of an Invincible NGO’s core team, We got an opportunity to be the part of this great initiative. Being an active contributor to youth empowerment, NGO has sponsored our expedition.
Mt. friendship is situated in pir panjal range of Himalayas! It is located near Manali, Himachal Pradesh. The height of this peak is 5289 meter (17355 ft.) and its considered as trekking peak but it demands a good amount of technical knowledge and physical strength. first successful summit during the winter season is registered on the name of an Indian army.
we have started our practice for expedition prior to one month of it. As our seniors have attempted this peak previously, we had instruction and guidance to build our physical and mental stamina as much as possible. we carefully packed our bags as we didn’t want to forget important stuff behind and carry extra weight that can exhaust us. Tickets were booked and we were ready to launch our mission “Mt. friendship Expedition 2k18”.
The theme of Expeditions was “Let the Third Pole Breath!”
Purpose of this theme was to spread awareness about the effects of global warming on glaciers, ice on the glaciers is melting and water level in the ocean is also increasing gradually. It’s terrific, just even to imagine how we have soiled our planet. It’s enough damage we have made, let’s turn back and start healing before it gets irreparable.
let me tell you this amazing story step by step, day by day.
According to me, train journeys are something which takes the joy of a trip to the next level, and this expedition team was excellent at reliving the stress of the mission. I would say train journeys are the best part of your travel stories, it’s describable.
Day 1 & 2 (21st–22nd may): Journey from Pathankot To Manali.
After a long and exhaustive journey of the train, we finally reached Pathankot. We checked in our hotels, got some really needed shower and had rest full evening at hotel rooms. In the meantime, some of us bought the stuff they wanted, somewhere in search of food as this was the last time they could have some spicy food before the expedition. We have been instructed to have a good amount of sleep after dinner, but unfortunately, we were together. that night bonding of four of us got really strengthened. Memorable moments of ‘masti’ and ‘maramari’.
So we were ready with our horses, The Royal Enfields were lined up. We woke up 3 am, actually, we haven’t slept that night. We started our bike trip to Manali, the night was really cold and we were on bikes so it was extreme in the beginning. slowly cold got decreased as the sun was rising and the time of sunrise is great to drive in mountains. We reached our destination by the evening, took bath and had some rest. Campsite of Ghod Dod in Manali was so beautiful and relaxing. We tried our hands on climbing wall and had some training, acclimatization walk was refreshing and full of fun. We had our first DJ night and Garba at the campsite.
Day 3 (23rd may): Car journey to Gulaba, trek to Raoli-Kholi.
After a good rest and acclimatization, we moved towards Brigu Lake for high altitude training. we started our journey from Ghod-dod in winger and car, I was in a car with our Chief instructor and our seniors. we got stuck in traffic so badly that we thought it might be impossible to reach Gulaba before evening, but God’s grace, we reached Gulaba by 4 pm. We started our trek immediately, one of our fellows was feeling so exhausted that she left from our first resting point, we moved forward. Continuously having some water and glucose, as it was the fully sunny day, we reached our destination, Raoli-Kholi.
As we reached the campsite, it was already started getting dark. we had one refreshing Khajur-Dudh, specially made by Rushi sir. It was an energy booster. we had some quality talk with tent pitching. That night we slept well.
Day 4 (24 may): Trek to Brigu…!!
We started our trek after having morning breakfast and that energy booster Khajur-dudh. it was already 11 am when we started, as we wanted to have some rest before high altitude training. We all had carried so much weight as we were in the plan of night halt at Brigu lake. The weight of an equipment and food was being hard to carry. Somehow it was all part of our training, we kept going.
By the evening we reached Brigu lake and had some rest. We started pitching tents and arranging the luggage. We had one high point just by our side, we climbed that point so our body gets proper acclimatization it requires. It was 200 meters high and the view from that point was spectacular. we could see most of Pir Panjal range, the Dhauladhar range was also predictable from the point.
Now we got stuck, we have carried the stove and fuel to prepare hot food. we had packets of Maggie with us, but due to lack of oxygen, we couldn’t fire up the stove. We had some dry fruits and other stuff in spare, it saved us. After having some food, we sat in our tents, as we were instructed not to fall asleep before 9 pm. It is for better acclimatization process, we talked to one tent to another and passed our time. That day so many secrets got revealed…!!!
Day 5 (25th May): Back to Ghod-Dod.
It was -12 Degrees at night, we got to know from one of our teammate’s device. It was so cold in the early morning that we stayed in our tents till some light came up. We sat in soft and warm sunlight, only some of us was awoken by the time. We packed our bags, wrapped up our extra stuff. Meanwhile, others woke up and we started packing and cleaning the area.
We moved towards Raoli-Kholi. Our food was carried by our other team climbing Brigu-lake, so we collected that in midway. We got Raoli-Kholi by the afternoon, and after taking a short break with some ‘pakoda and chai’ we continued our trek downside. Cars were waiting for us, as soon as we got down we took our seats. As we all were tired, we were in hurry to reach the campsite.
We just ran towards dinner as we were so hungry. we had DJ night after it and most awaited Garba. We were so tired before Garba started but our legs didn’t even felt any pain at the time of Garba, we played Garba. We celebrated Rushi Sir’s birthday by cake cutting. It was a great day all over, Memorable one.
Day 6 (26th May): A well Needed Rest….!!!
We woke up Late, as it was rest. we took our breakfast. we were practicing artificial wall climbing, I got the call from our sir in between. I was asked to go to Our new campsite location, for camp set up. We moved with necessary things to be carried.
I would say it was one of the best rides of my life, it was so spectacular and thrilling. The scenery, the weather, the vehicle, everything was perfect for the ride. I will always remember the day.
Day 7 (27th May): Rest we had to take.
It was again the lazy start of the day. we had done some routine work till evening, in the evening we had a steam walk. It was something which made our day worth. It was fun clicking the photos and enjoying the nature.
Then we had met with our sir and we came to know that some of our seniors were not going to be there with us. So new expedition leaders were defined and we started our packing. we slept well to be ready for upcoming.
Day 8 (28th May): Search begins…!!!
We got Equipped! As we had to move by the morning 9, we were running all-around, gathering our stuff. we moved to Solang Valley in cars. Our car reached by the noon, we waited for others who were stuck in traffic. Our luggage arrived in the evening.
We started our trek for thunder, our luggage was sent to the campsite. We had a good conversation with our Guide Umesh Raina Sir during the trek. We reached camp site location, started pitching our tent. By the time we came to know that we had left the kitchen tent’s poles behind. I and cook’s helper did some “jugad” and found some useful bamboos. Somehow we finished camp set up and called for tea.
Over a cup of Tea we discussed our road-map with Raina sir, they suggested us some improvements. We had the good share of our experiences with him, he told us his adventures, we did the same. It was the great discussion among us. After tea, we set out there for a while, during that time we expedition leaders discussed further plans and allotted tents.
We have visited the research center of DRDO, we found it on the hillside. Gathered some information about research and weather around there. we took our dinner and went to our tents.
Day 9 (29th May): Moved Forward…!!!
We knew it was going to be a long day. View of Hanuman Tibba was magnificent. We had some morning clicks and took our breakfast.
We started our trek for Lady leg, which was our ABC (Advance Base Camp). We started by the 10 in the morning. Our Trek was accompanied by Bias river. we had walked, with having great views. We had some glucose as it was a clear sky and the sun was quite unbearable. We were there by the afternoon, By the time we clicked some pics and had our packed lunch. After a while, we show cook coming with our luggage on mules.
We had planned to have “load-feri” (A process of caring load to next camp in 2 parts.), but due to lack of time, we decided to only carry heavy equipment and try to take it as far as possible. We have reached in the middle of the trek of the summit camp and snowfall started. It was first ever snowfall of my life, breathtaking experience, we immediately pitched a tent, locked our equipment and started descending. We had some rest and took dinner. It was a terrific night, as the weather was stormy.
Day 10 (30th May): One step away…!
We had breakfast, looking at our target Friendship Peak and also the future target Hanuman Tibba. We packed our bags, only took the most necessary things. Carried packed food, water, and some dry fruits. Collected our equipment from the point and continued our trek. we were there before noon, had our packed lunch, “Thepla ne Athanu”. Best lunch in the best place. we pitched tents, it was our summit camp point.
We had to sleep from 5 to 12, As summit trek was going to start at midnight. The biological clock was going to be totally messed up.
Day 11 (31st May): The Day…!!!
We woke up 12 am, we had to be ready by the 1, but we were running late. we hurried up as much as possible, took our food and equipment. I was told to be just behind the guide and Bhumirajbhai was taking care of last passion. We moved in fast and constant. It was all okay until we arrived at “call”(A place where you get the rope up for further trek). We Rope up, and we started moving, we have just started and something unwanted happens. One of our teammates got sick, we were on an edge where we had to decide. Bhumirajbhai volunteered and took responsibility to take that person to the safe point. As he had the good medical knowledge, it helped so well. we sent one more to help them out.
We moved forward, it was still dark and so cold. according to reports it was nearly -15 at that night, bone-chilling. After 6 hours of the hard climb, the sun was rising. the sun was on the other side of the mountain we were climbing.
The light was getting reflected in Hanuman Tibba, The view was amazing. We kept moving. It was getting bright as we were about to finish our climb.
7:40 am, We were on the top. we had completed our Expedition successfully. we had pics with Tri-colour. I just closed my eyes for the while, I found peace and joy at that moment. I found my Elixir. we are not supposed to be at summit point for a long, as per the norms. We can’t even be on the topmost on the mountain, to respect the mountain. we followed the norms and started descending.
Srimad Bhagvad Gita
It was like dream came true, and that summit gave us a great energy. It was proud that we took “Shrimad Bhagvad Gita” at that top. We got to the summit camp in no time. we had some rest at summit camp and continued our journey, towards the lady leg. we reached lady leg by the afternoon, we took our lunch and had some well-needed rest. It was a peaceful evening and we all just rested well and had some friendly talks. it was stormy night and we had dinner so early. we got in our tents, had the long sleep of 8–9 hours.
Day 12 (1st June): Run for the Rest…!!
We had our breakfast, it was the slow and lazy day. we had no guide now, so we had to reach Dhundi by our selves. we started descending in the morning and by the evening we were at Dhundi, waiting for our car to come. The car took long, finally, it came and we headed toward Solang valley. From Solang valley, we changed vehicle and by the evening we were at Ghod-Dod, Manali base camp.
It was great welcome by everyone, we enjoyed the hospitality. We took bath, got fresh and had some food. Now it was time for celebration, It was time for Garba. We played Garba. Though we were tired, we still enjoyed Garba more than others and also danced on some hit songs. The celebration was amazing and memorable.
It was a great journey, a great adventure. Peoples with me made it more special, build some great bonding. It’s said, “Hard work always pays off”.
