My Journey to Mt Friendship!
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.
One day message popped up in my phone about mt friendship. And I got opportunity to be the part of this great expedition.After Attend so many local camp as a instructor I had decided to climb mt friendship and I was confident about that . I knew mt friendship climbing is not much easy as I think. I was so excited to climb that mountain. But for climbing mt.friendship I had to crack some physical tests. It was running, push-ups ,pull ups, squats, crunches, cycling After so many efforts. And I started practice for expedition prior to 2 months. Instructions given by Rushiraj sir how to build our physical strength and endurance. Finally I was selected for Mt. friendship. I was so happy and excited for new experience of my life .We had started equipment shopping for mt friendship. And after so many meetings finally INVINCIBLE team had booked our tickets.
Day 1 | May 31, 2019
Finally ,the day came for which I was waiting for months. On 31st may at early morning we woke up and collected our bags and reached Ahmedabad railway station and Rushiraj sir gave motivation speech to the whole team .Our train arrived at 11:45 And we started our journey . During train journey we played so many games and we also played trending LUDO. Game that. was one of my favourite game.
Day 2 | June 1, 2019
After train journey we reached Pathankot on 1st June. At Pathankot we took bath And we had some time for shopping. In a Pathankot we had their famous Billa lassi. Then we moved to manali base camp by local vehicle .
Day 3 & 4 | June 2 & 3, 2019
We reached manali base camp on 2nd june .
At the altitude of manali base camp 5600 ft .Manali base camp weather was very amazing and scenic view .We were very tired due to journey of 2 days .So we took some rest at manali base camp. We collected all equipment necessary in expedition. And also we took some grocery shopping for mt.friendship .Our team also planned schedules .
So the morning light was shining and our team was ready for mt friendship expedition. We leaved our extra luggage in our tents and we were on way to the Solang valley.
Day 5 | June 4, 2019
SOLANG VALLEY
It is located 13 km away from manali to the Solang valley lies between Solang village and beas kund.while moving to the mt friendship peak Solang is an ideal spot where one can rest and spend some time to admire the beautiful snow-capped mountains view from the peak. After traveling we reached Solang welly around 12 o’clock .we took rest and enjoyed the atmosphere. Around 1:00pm we departed for DHUNDHI which was the opening move towards our target.
TREK TO DHUNDHI
After a long trekking we arrived DHUNDHI around 6 o’clock .And that time it started to rain. We all started to pitch our tents . And adjusted in tent and felt the atmosphere. After 1 hour heavy raining we started to take pictures . Our kitchen was all set maharaj (our cook)made soup for us. I was enjoying this movement. But then again heavy rain started. We all were back to our tents. Our dinner was ready around 7 o’clock but due to heavy rain somehow we took dinner in our tent.
I had never felt that atmosphere before .It was my first time at that much height.And I went in deep sleep.
Day 6 | June 5, 2019
In a morning atmosphere was beautiful .We were now getting uninterrupted views of the Dhundi mountains which form the back drop of Solang Valley they were simply majestic in shape, snow texture and their sheer height and with the sun rays falling on them they were shimmering.
Our breakfast was ready we took our breakfast. And we were busy in packing our luggages for our next destination. We took our lunch pack and moved to LADY LEG.
TREK TO LADY LEG
I thought it would be easy to climb but I was wrong . On the trek of lady leg atmosphere was clear there was no rain. In our way. we faced much difficulties but we were enjoying the trek. Trek of ladyleg was like forest area in the way. we crossed river that was a new experience for me .
Everyone was helping each other to cross river . We started to walk on snow I slipped many times in snow but any how I managed my self and started to walking. But many participants completely lost and they thought that was end of there journey but local guide and team members motivated them. In between we met another team from Hyderabad they also came for Mt friendship but they not reached to summit point due to unsteady whether.
We reached at lady leg around 4:00 pm. At the altitude of LADYLEG 13678 ft .That was advanced base camp. Suddenly I saw change in atmosphere. Due to heavy we started to pitch tent rapidly but due to heavy winds blow our tents fly away in air,poncho ,cap. everything fly away in the valley . But I really enjoyed the weather .after half an hour heavy rain and atmosphere was clean . So we all gathered and enjoyed snacks and took rest for some times. And our delicious dinner was ready we took dinner with all team. We all were very tired and all wanted to sleep badly . Because that day was very tough. For all of us.so we went back to tent and slept.
Day 7 | June 6, 2019
We stayed for 2 days in LADY LEG. For that day it was for acclimatization . I felt this beautiful atmosphere and enjoyed the food and took a rest .
We were enjoyed the snowfall and took a group picture .
Day 8 | June 7, 2019
For that day our local guide gave us instructions how to climb mountain and gave some training and use of instrument. They also taught us how to survive in difficult conditions.
Day 9 | June 8, 2019
In morning of 8 th june we were ready for our next destination. We took our breakfast and after packing our luggages we started our journey towards our target.It was not easy to climb with our luggage. Weight of luggage was around I think 10–15 kg but the peak was waiting for us. I was very excited because my dream was to come true very soon.
We collected our all equipments and then took. lunch and started our journey around 11:00am towards summit camp .We climb mountains and We Reached summit camp around 3:30pm and again we pitch a tent and took some rest.
Mahraj made soup for us. We enjoyed it with that beautiful atmosphere. And we all were busy in clicking pictures . We had to sleep 6pm to 12am for summit camp was going to start at midnight. Our biological clock was going to be totally messed up.
Day 10 | June 8, 2019
We woke up 12 am Around 12:30 we packed our luggage and in dinner we took maggie and started for our last and final destination. After climbing of 8 hour continue trekking finally we were at summit 8:45am .And finally we reached our destination or target or dream or whatever we said. The height of summit peak 17355 ft.I was very happy I did it .At the end we summited it and that view from the top of that peak was really worth for that climb after that, we took some pictures with TRICOLOUR and with the flag of INVINCIBLE.
The pleasant journey through various villages and meadows gives a fairy tale experience. Visiting these places during the right season will always be an experience that will stay in our memories.
So finally we Summit the peak and it was my dream that came true. My 2 months physical training worth it.
DECENDING MT FRIENDSHIP
After a 20 minute rest on summit Peak camp we continued our journey towards the LADY LEG . On the route of LADY LEG we enjoyed snow slide it was totally new experience for me. We reached there around 2:00pm . We were very tired our energy level was low but we took lunch and had some rest . And around 5 o’clock we start to trek for DHUNDI. We reached DHUNDI a around 8 o’clock. At DHUNDI our tempo traveler was waiting for us,and we headed towards SOLANG VALLY, we changed vehicles and we reached to manali base camp around 12 am.
And special thanks to our maharaj for providing that delicious food on the top of the mountain. Thank you for giving gujrati food “ghar ka khana “. I never expect that much delicious food on top of the mountain.
And We also thank full to local guide to help in every situation without him I think this mt friendship was not possible.
Day 11 | June 10, 2019
At night we reached manali base camp and we took our dinner,and pitched tents and slept .
We woke up in morning around 9am . After breakfast we gave reviews of the mt friendship to Rushiraj mori sir. Then we took bath ,got freshen up. We enjoyed steam walk near manali base camp.
After that it was time for celebration, it was time for garba. We played garba at night.The celebration was memorable.
On that night we departed for Pathankot
Day 12 | June 11, 2019
We Arrived at Pathankot around 8 AM .we took our train at 11:20 AM.We were on the way of AHMEDABAD.
Day 13 | June 12, 2019
we arrived at Ahmedabad and finally, our journey ends there. I was very happy for completing that expedition.
Thank you invincible for this memorable experience in my life. I would like to more and more adventure with INVINCIBLE NGO.
