May 5th

Trek to Goechala Pass(15300 ft)

A very special day for all of us as we had come all the way from different states of India for this day… today was the 6th day of the trek. We met many trekkers who were walking down super happy to have seen “the Mt. Khangchendzonga”. Here was our day… all excited to have our moment too. 🙂

All of us were ready by 12.30 am, with our water bottles, poncho, head lamp, and something to munch on, as we were to trek atleast 22 km that day – going up to Goechala Pass and coming back. Limoji, our guide, had warned ahead that the trek will depend on the weather. Thankfully the sky was clear, the moon shining bright and with our head lamps on, we started walking. I prayed to my Gods to keep all of us safe.

The night trekking experience seemed good, in the moon light, . also with the head lamps on, the darkness or the unknown terrain we were walking on didnt feel scary. I walked at my pace, often keeping myself between team mates so that I was not alone. I could see few team mates with Shubha quite ahead as usual, and few were coming slowly behind. Limoji was with the gang of Shubha, another guide Vivek was with the rest of the team at back. I was wearing four layers at this time. It was my fingers which started freezing even though I had a good pair of hand gloves, but the night temperature, altitude, made it very cold. To add to that my specs was fogging, over my balaclava, making me virtually blind.

At one point, I realized, I couldn’t see head lamp of Shubha or any one ahead. By now we had walked nearly 3 hours, passed Lamuney camp, and were walking on rocks covered in snow. My head lamp dimmed out though it was a new battery. I could not see any path ahead, all dark, just this shining snow under my feet and all around, no one ahead! Some one from behind said look for foot prints.. but I didnt see any footprints… and after some time I realized, I was literally alone!

I called loudly for Shubha and saw two trekkers , on my right, at a distance turning to look at me. I couldn’t make out who they were but it felt good to have some company. My specs was fogging, my hands were freezing and I was thirsty, and couldn’t take out water. I asked these two guys – “please give me water“. They stopped and one opened his bottle and handed me but it fell from my freezing hand !!! Oh Precious water.. I started blabbering – “God knows why I am doing this.. it is sheer madness, please dont leave me alone“. He said – “This is a tough trek, did you do your research? I study the trek well and then start. My heart rate is 127 – what is yours?” I dont know, I said. He asked ” Do you want Dimox – I was also not feeling well but now I am okay“. I told him “No need of Dimox, I m okay, but cannot see the path“. “What is your name“, I asked him. “Abdus”, he replied. Then Abdus said ” You keep walk slowly“, and he started moving ahead with his guide. I was very tired and and could feel the chilling wind freezing even my face. My shoe lace got untied but I could not tie it back as my fingers felt like sticks. I could just push the lace inside the shoes and slowly kept moving as I could feel standing still would freeze me totally. I could see the head lamp of Abdus ahead and for another hour of so I slowly walked on the way Abdus went. After walking two three steps ahead, I stood, breathed in and exhaled, continued this exercise. I could see in the moon light Abdus at a height, took a left turn and that was quite far. On looking back I could see few head lamps down below.

That was a very tough journey and I so much wanted to hug my husband.. hold him tight and tell him how dear he is. I wanted to hold tight my daughter and son and tell them how precious they are for me. I remembered few of my friends who had smiled for me. These were the thoughts that ran my mind, while I inched ahead and I felt really alright, though I was very tired. I was eager to reach the View point 1 and take one picture as Rohiniji had…. with the spectacular Mt. Khangchendzonga. That was a strong wish!

By now I was walking on snow for atleast two hours and I saw Dakhshayini, Bhandariji and few more. It meant I had made it on time… But still there was quite a lot of walking up to reach the View point 1 of the Goechala Pass. The whole area was now lit by the morning sun. It must have been 5 am. The best time of the morning was sun’s rays falling on these mountains, to see the orange hue on them. I could see the orange hue on the mountain ranges on my left and felt very glad.. now all I needed to do was to reach the View point and click a picture in this background. But I told myself, not to hurry… it is okay to be late but will not jeopardize the trek.

But when I reached the View point, I saw our Guide Limoji looking all yellow, tired and head down. Even Dakhshayini, and others faces turned yellow, bloodless. I asked Limoji if he needed water.. he said no and sat on a rock. Somehow I felt a bit scared, and didnt want to stay at this height for long. Bhandariji was taking pictures, I asked him to click mine too which he graciously agreed to. All the team members who reached were playing in the snow, celebrating. Afterall this was the moment we all wanted … to see Magnificent Mt. Khangchendzonga ranges in its morning glory. I stood there enchanted by the snow peaks. It is a sight I will never forget. .. the sharp majestic peaks in its orange hue, others shining silver, the mountain ranges of Himalayas just close by. I realized only a trekker can be fortunate.. to carry this image in mind. It is said this is the view on the 100 rupee note.

This is exactly how it looks.. a portion of the mountain ranges which is not lit by sun’s rays and rest is the vast range in orange hue. We are a small dot in this magnificent space .. We were standing at 15300 ft as per our guide.

Trekmate Dakshayini took a wonderful vdo of our guide Limoji walking up to View Point 1 … after cutting a path in the snow for us. I was positioned just left to him at this time.

The cold seeping thru my shoes reminded me I could not stand any more. I didn’t feel like sitting down to rest a bit. Also the pale faces around me was making me scared. Later some one told me that is our body mechanism to withstand the strain on heart.. it pushes blood to brain and vital organs and less to periphery. Thus the face looking yellow…

I wanted to return – that was the foremost thought on my mind. I turned to walk down and saw Madhuri coming up. .. By then it was 6 am. I told her about my plan and started the trek down. The path which had frightened me few hours back looked simple in the morning sun light. From that height, I saw Samiti Lake – shining like a jewel amidst the rocks.

Thanks Jay Shah for this picture!

I am grateful for this day in my life for having witnessed this glorious morning.. this display of amazing colors, to have given the courage to withstand the pinching cold. Thanks to my team mates, my family, and my friends who motivate me.

May 6th

Back to Tshoka

May 7th

Back to Yuksom and we found another jewel in the city…. about which I will surely write. Adios