Trek begins - Day 3 Sankri to Juda Talao

May 25th - Beginning of the strenuous trek. As usual the group was up by 5:00 AM - tea and exercises followed by breakfast. Went back to the tents and collected the trekking rucksack and backpacks. Need to mention that YHAI provides a basic rucksack for the ones who don't have one. Most in the group opted for that. Some of, having had the experience and a trekking backpack took ours. They also provided a cloth lining for the sleeping bags, a fresh one. This has to be carried with us and used at all campsites. We were given a great send-off by the instructors and office staff at the campsite and the long walk started. Being first day and with warm temperatures, the first hour was strenuous. First day, we were told, is all ascent - 6000 ft, Sankri Base camp to 8000+ ft Juda Talao. We were accompanied by a trekking guide who patiently waited for the last one at every stop. We had to stop every 15 mins or so to catch our breath and have some water before we could take our next step.

Photos: Steep ascent and group taking rest

Photos: One of the many water streams during the trek - our water source and locals taking essentials to the villages on the mountains using cows and bulls.

Photos: Lunch point, group relaxing and Tea served by the locals

Talking about the views - it was  breathtaking! We saw quite a few of the Himalayan peaks coming closer as we conquered the first day. Swargarohini, is supposed to be a famous peak and that's the one we tracked throughout the first few days of the trek.

Coming back to the trek, we reached the lunch point around 1:00 PM. The lunch point is always fixed - the locals serve packed juice and hot maggi at all lunch points, accompanied by hot tea. YHAI provides packed lunch - rotis and potato sabji everyday. Trekkers who need a change typically order maggi at the lunch point - prices always at a premium, but certainly a change instead of the daily rotis and potato.

One of the clear instructions to us was not to take a nap in the afternoon. Apparently if you are catching mountain sickness, you get very sleepy and that affects your body. After a tiresome walk and a great lunch on the first day, we relaxed under the shade of trees - talking, laughing and taking a dig at each other.

We left the lunch point around 2:30 and a short walk took us to the entrance of the next camp - Juda Talao. The camp leader came down to greet us and take us up the last climb - close to 60 degrees steep climb and when we reached the camp, the sight was awesome!!! The tents followed by a lake and the Himalayan peaks looming all around :-) A sight to cherish! Dumped my bags and spent a couple of hours taking photos near the lake! We also celebrated Rajesh's birthday at the camp with a cake made by the cook :-)

Photos: Different views of the camp site and the lake

Photos: Night view of the camp site and Dragon fly at the lake

Photos: A bird relaxing at the pond and Rajesh's b'day celebrations

This place was a great camp site for many reasons:

1) Just awesome to be in the midst of thick forest and mountains all around with a lake nearby

2) Excellent place for photography - great opportunity - check out the next day experience for one more great experience

3) The place somehow makes you feel at peace.

As usual, 10:00 lights went out - since it was almost a full moon, took a few shots in the night just using the moonlight. Back to Bangalore today, I miss that place! Sigh!!!