We were 4000 metres above and in the Himalaya Pirpanjal range.On the way whenever i looked down my head felt like ommlete and i had a feeling like jumping down from there!Thats when i got to know that i have vertigo.But ultimately the beauty all around helped me and i made it.The place was called "Theli".Some also call it "Maidan",as the place was kind of plain and full of medicinal grass.There were another route to come up (by which we came down,and was less vertical) other than the one we used.Locals brought their cattle via that route and let them graze for 1-2 months or more before coming up again to fetch them.Sometimes bears also attack and kill there cattle.That night we stayed there.It was my first time sleeping in a sleeping bag and staying in a tent.The place where we camped was the level from where the ice started to paint the mountain white.The plan was to start for "Bhrigu" lake next morning.After walking for 2 hours and when the ice began to get deep,i decided to stop.It was really hard for me to stop my self from slipping!I decided to wait there for my team members to return.Slowly the sun turned and where i was sitting was covered in shadow and cold wind.So i decided to get back to camp.After coming down following one of those numerous water-falls i soon found that i was lost.Every place looked similar!After wandering for some times i saw a make shift jhupri of some shepherd.Overjoyed i went near it.Out of the blue i realized two shepherd-dogs running at me ready to tear me apart.I just froze there.The people staying there were kind enough to shout and throw a sauspen at them to disperse them.Afterwards they scolded me about coming near a flock of sheep without warning as these dogs are generally trained to kill in order to protect the sheep.I told them that i am lost and looking for three tents one of them colored blue.He gave me the direction and said it was just 10minutes walk.But even after 30minutes when i was unable to find anything i came back there.To set their directions they used ice which were gathered here and there and i was not accustomed with that method.Upon asking he gladly guided me to my tent.Before parting i asked him to sit a bit and talk.He was from "Kullu".Studied till class 3.Showed me his mobile and said now he can call upon for food when his stock finishes.Astonishingly at that altitude there were always network for mobile!Then he asked me where America is.Then he told me how they saved the lives of two foreigners and how they scolded them when they wanted to give some money in return.He said simply,here we will treat u and look after you as you are our guest here.
After my team members returned from bhrigu lake we started our descent from the other road through the jungle.The trees were enormous.But many were being cut down.They said it is a false belief that locals are cutting trees.Locals are afraid about the laws.Its the people of Government who are cutting trees.I think they are doing so up there because it would be hard to notice from below.
That trip was more than anything to me.The thoughts changed in my mind towards many things.I never thought i would be able to do anything like that,but now i am glad that i did it.
