Winter Deo Tibba (6001 meter) Expedition – Part 3

 Morning Mahesh Bhai wake up me with cup of tea. After finishing tea I came out it’s still cold and shivering. I went to fire finish breakfast and get ready to trek. Today trek is going to be long and tough. Me and Monty start together but soon he went away from me so I become alone again. Though it’s sunny day but rays are on mountain only valley is struggling for it. As I move up sun come close and become warm and comfortable. Trek is steep upward and rocky which is making it more strenuous. Jagtsuk River is flowing below but in most places it has been frozen…

Monty is top on the ridge when I will reach there he will start again. I am walking with my pace and enjoying silence. After 2 hours walk when I reach to Monty he said – This is good place for rest. I drink water from small creek flowing there. I deeply watch the design of mountains and stones. I found that they resemble with snakes. I ask to Monty. He replies in his low voice – You are right. This whole area is dedicated to snakes and snakes are main deity. Though, I haven’t seen any living snakes here. I want to know story behind this but Monty could not tell me and keep silent…

We start again. Trek is becoming tough coz ascend is getting steep and rocky. As Monty is far from me so I miss the trek 2-3 times but luckily find right direction. Weather is now hot and I can hear the roaring voice of Jagatsuk River which is breaking my silence. Anyways after 2 hrs steep ascend time for to rest and Monty is waiting for me at rest point. He said – Take short break after this trek is going very tough. Monty again becomes quite and I also indulge in beauty of valley with roaring sound of Jagatsuk…

After crossing one steep ascend everything changed. Here it’s no sun and it becomes bone chilled cold. Trek root is covering with snow. Jagatusk River and waterfalls are also frozen. I am shivering but sun is on the top of mountains. I trek almost two hours then reach to camp site…

 Frosty temperature and fast chilly winds are making me shaking. I am not even able to talk properly so I sit quietly in front of frozen Jagatsuk.  I wear one more layer then Monty and me went to sunny side which is upward. Sunlight is shifting position continuously and so as I. I start chasing the sun and soon it become play for me. By the time my other team mate reach there and set up camp…

I wrap myself into sleeping bag. Mahesh Bhai gives me tea and maggi which is big treat this time. In evening bare mountains and snow peaks turns into red. In few part or river where water is not frozen I can see the reflection of snow clad peaks. I wish I could spend more time watching these serene beauty but chilly winds are not in mood to allowing me this pleasure. I click few pictures and curl up in tent again. Soon I finish my dinner and went to sleep…

Morning it was cloudy all over. Seems it could be snow which is not good and safe for us. Me, Monty and Mahesh Bhai decide that we will wait for clear sky then only we will go further. It is more chilly and windy then yesterday. Jagatusk River has been completely frozen. There is no sign of flowing water. I roam around for warm up but sky is still not clear…

Around 10 AM sky gives us few sign of relaxation and so we move to base camp one. When I walk forward I saw I big pond which has been frozen and shining like thick glass. I went on it and start running. Monty and Mahesh Bhai also join me and we have a great fun which gave us little relief from weather. Crossing pond, field and jagatsuk now the real trek start which is in 90 degree ascend with full of snow. We are using snow shoes, crampon and ice axe. Though sky blue but full of chips sort of small clouds…

Monty is again walking before so I am walking alone. Clouds are giving beautiful landscapes but threatening too. Ascend is exhausting with almost 4000 meter altitude. We take rest in two places. Valley is looking combo of white and brown from upward. Anyways after one steeper ascend we reached to base camp. Weather becomes cloudier, chilled and snowy. Jagatsuk River is look like white ribbon which is going from one end to another. This is reminding me my Chadar Trek in Leh so I walk on it. All is cover under the white blanket and sky turns into deep gray. After some more fun we move to base camp one which is long but plain walk…

When we reach base camp one it’s horribly cold and windy. Temperature is minus in day time. Clouds are getting thick, dark and scary. Cooking is not possible so we eat chocolate and maggi. In night me, Monty, Mahesh Bhai and helper Harish decide to stay in one kitchen tent. Middle of the night I heard whisper on tent roof. It was hailstone outside. We are in big danger now…

We are waiting for morning. Hailstorms stops after 1 hour and it is snowing slowly. Scenario has been changed by morning. Our tent was covered with snow and still weather is not good. Yesterday we decided to locate the position to fix rope but now it is not at all possible. As a trek leader Monty decide that we are not going to summit and we will go back and cover complete trek in one day…

I have nothing to argue so I carry my sack look at the Deo Tibba Peak with wet eyes and turn back. I am not happy but satisfied that it was not my fault if weather is not in our favor. Trekking down is now more risky and chilly. It became warm when we reach our first camp site but Deo Tibba Peak is still covered with clouds. Anyways after reaching Jagatsuk Village we call the taxi and back to Manali…

End

Winter Deo Tibba (6001 meter) Expedition – Part 2

 Next morning I went to Manali’s very famous and divine Hidimba Devi temple which is around 2 km. This is four storied, Pagoda style roof temple. Wall and doorway is covered with colourful figures and symbols. Though it is early and cold morning but hustle bustle has start. I walk on road going upward between deodar trees. Many huge hotels and buildings are here but all are not really engage…

 After half an hour I reach to temple where morning rituals are going on. Devotees are standing outside the temple. Drums are blowing in high pitch and bells are ringing continuously. I join them and become part of it. Ritual over after 15 or 20 minutes and now we can go inside. Inside it’s dark and smoky. Only oil lamp is lighting there. Temple has no goddess idol. There are engraved footprints which worship by the devotees. I also prey and priest gives me few dry flower petals as blesses. I come out and stroll in temple campus then went to Old Manali…

I cross Manalsu River bridge and reach to another world. I am walking upward through a narrow road which is dividing Old Manali into upper side and lower side. Mostly shops and restaurants are still not open. Old Manali is absolutely a different world. This place is combination of new and old both. Here I can see ancient life along with new age technology and luxury. I can see traditional wood houses mostly have cattle house and farming land. I see an old man making iron tool with old traditional way. I stop to see him and then move...

Apart of all this I can see new style of restaurant, café house, massage parlor with wi-fi facility. I went to a café house which has wi-fi facility. From the window of café house I could see a family wearing traditional dress going somewhere with their Yaak, Yaak is very useful animal…

After having delicious coffee I move unto Manu Temple. On the name of Saint Manu Manali got his name. Few kids are playing here accept this all is calm and quite. I sit here for a while and then back. Road is still silence. Few locals are moving and few shops have been open. This place is like fairy land. I can see new and ancient both times together. Mostly houses are like guest houses. They serve all the comfort along with their tradition and culture. Though I don’t want to but I cross the same bridge and back to my world…

In Manali life has begun people enjoying group chatting in sun. I take walk on mall road and back. Before start trekking we went to a shop to rent out some climbing equipment like crampons, ice shoes, ice axe, strings etc etc. After finishing all the work we drive till Jagatsuk village which is almost 10 km from Manali. Weather is clear so the scenario of valley is beautiful. As we went up road become narrower and driving become tedious. We stop at Hydraulic power station from where trek would start…

First day trek is easy and short. I have to trek only 5-6 hours. I hang my rucksack and starts trekking. Monty, trek guide, is with me. When I move upward, valley become more beautiful. It’s not steep ascend so I enjoy walking. As Monty is far from me so I walk alone which I love a lot. After 3 hours walk I reach a point where Monty is waiting for me and said – You can rest here for a while. This is the first line Monty talks to me. He is less talkative…

After rest we start again. Now river called Jagatsuk river start follow us and this will follow us till our trek. Though it’s cold but due to sunny weather it is bearable. When I reach camp site one porter comes and show me a huge stone and said – Can you see that stone ? Go there. You will find something interesting. When I reach there I saw a big and clear snake fossil on it. One of local told me – This fossil appeared few years ago. Anyways I back to camp site and sit in the river bank. Everything is silent. I can only hear the voice of river flowing between huge mountains which become red when sun goes down. In night temperature is in minus so I sit near to fire finish dinner and went to sleep…

Continue… 

Winter Deo Tibba Peak (6001 meter) Expedition – Part 1

 This time I am thinking hit the Himachal Pradesh for trekking. My destination is Deo Tibba Peak 6001 meter altitude. Anyway I am again in bus stand and waiting to move Haridwar. From there I will move to Manali. As this is winter time so trekking in Manali is seriously going to be very tough. Though bus should leave around 8 pm but for some reasons bus is late.  Anyways I am killing time watching the passengers next to my bus. This is marriage bus which is here for short time. When the marriage guest saw Nainital Lake they become mad and one by one come out and as selfie become uncured disease so all start clicking pictures. It is dark yet so don’t know what results they get but clicks are on and on and on. Meanwhile a guy and an old man, wearing glittering clothes comes out. Their attitude showing they are playing big part in the marriage and all are pampering them like Very Important Person. Situation becomes chaotic. They have to stop here for little time but all are busy in taking selfie and eating food from road side shops.  But for me these are the enjoyable moments…

Anyways after half an hour delay bus start and so as my journey. Only few miles have pass and a passenger stop the bus and rushes to the driver. He said his daughter was playing with mobile and through it out from window. He went out to search but no result. He back and says with disappointment – I lost my expensive mobile. I don’t understand why he open window in AC bus and why he gave mobile to his daughter to play? Passengers shuffle in Haldwani. Everything is quite and temperature dropped. In a railway crossing gate bus stop for one hour. Five or six trains crossed back to back. Due to this bus stuck in big traffic jam. Far from this chaos Nineties music, when Alka Yagnik and Kumar Shanu was leading singers, were blowing in tape recorder. After long time back I am listing these songs which remind me my school days…

Bus reaches Haridwar early 5.30 A.M. It was winter time so still dark and cold. I decide to stay in a hotel for few hours and then move to Manali. A rickshaw guy took me into a hotel and I book room. Around 9 A.M. I went to Haridwar Ghat but before that I booked my ticket for Manali. I spend some time there in hustle-bustle. Back to hotel take rest for few hours finished lunch and around 3 P.M. I went to bus stand and acquired seat…

Hawkers are selling their products and proving as if their products are best for every problem. One is selling pain balm and the way he convincing passengers is great. Mostly passengers are buying his product. After him a Digestive powder seller take place. He again starts convincing and for my surprise passengers again convinced and buying his product. Other sellers are also engaging passengers…

Bus starts after little more live drama. Weather is pleasant and everything is in control but when it become night temperature suddenly drop and become chill. Other problem with the bus is that it is stopping in every small and big station. I went out in few stations but as it is chill so I decide not to go out. After Chandigrah when hill starts it become bone chill cold. Around 5 in the morning bus reach Kullu. Kullu is very famous hill station of Himachal Pradesh. I am shivering badly but still 2-3 hours journey left…

Around 7.30 I reach Manali. It’s still cold and shivering. I move straight to hotel and fold myself into quilt. When I get warm I went out. It’s sunny now so I off to see Manali market. Market is busy but fewer tourists are here as it is winter time. I take walk in Mall Road and sit on chair. 26-27 years old tall fair and slim Himachali guy is also sitting there reading newspaper and gazing me. He did it continuously and honestly speaking I also want to talk to him but want him to start. Anyways I sit there for half an hour then finish breakfast and back to hotel for rest. In the evening I again went out but it’s very cold so I finished dinner and back to hotel where my Trek Guide is waiting for me…

Continue…