Starting to post retrospectively. Lots of anachronisms to follow. I am writing out of loneliness. Blogging to seek fellow adventurers. At least that's what it seems right now.

A small dam, diverting water in to an irrigation channel.

This post is about the beginning of my trekking. In my final year at JUIT, I had a lot of free time. One also has a lot freedom there. Combined with my tendency to explore, I started mapping all the hillocks in the vicinity. One day while scouting the area on google earth (as usual), I spotted a stream. Gradually following it down, I saw it merge into another. A very simple plan then followed. Go downstream in one and climb back upstream in another. But to do this I needed to recce the area first. After a couple of trips to Chawsha, a nearby village (one involving a picnic!), I geared up for a 20 km trek into the unknown. I don't have the right words to describe my excitement, as I was going alone, knowing none of my friends will take part in this "insanity".

I am a highway

I started of at 6 in the morning. Packed a few chocolates and 2 packs of KurKure, short supplies for a trek in the Shivaliks. I know better now. But I wanted to travel light and they turned out to be adequate if not appropriately nutritious. 12th of November is a cool day. Lots of sun. By 8 I reach Chawsha. Since the stream curves around mountain sides, one has to wade through. I decided that I'll just walk in the middle instead. How I miss the cool rushing waters! After about 5 hrs of wading, bouldering & running, sometimes through wild areas, I was getting a bit uneasy. The junction of the streams was not appearing and not a soul seemed appeared in sight. Afraid that I might get late, and hence get lost in the night, I started jogging. After 15 minutes of brisk running, I finally arrived at the "sangam". I looked longingly upon the cool blue waters at the junction, sparkling, gushing, calling me to take a dip in. This I reserved for another day (And I did take dip later). I sat down and had my lunch of chocolates and KurKures.

The Sangam

Now started the most wonderful stretch of this tramp. Gambar Khadd, the second stream, passes through a forested valley. Huge boulders are scattered around the riverbed. And little sunlight passes through the overhanging trees. The seclusion and beauty of this spot made me forget about the world I came from. At the end of this spot (going upstream) is a small dam. I continued my wading to finally reach the Gambar Khadd water pumping station, where I received unprecedented hospitality from the guard on duty there. A couple of hours later (time now is 6 pm), I reached my room. End to my first adventure. A few more to follow before I am separated from the hills...

A valley of (mustard!) flowers

Yours truly

Hydel Power

And finally a sumptous dinner with friends