Hail Hampta _ Manali

I am feeling so thrilled to pen down my experience of first Trek to Hampta Pass , Manali.. When I registered for this before 2 months of trek along with my two friend I had not imagine that so many surprises were waiting for us at Himalayas and it would be revealed sometime as risk or fear and sometime it will give immense pleasure to our heart & mind through its majestic view.

I started with my two companions on 25th evening by train for Chandigarh and reached on 27th midnight. We took bus for sector 49  to avail bus for Manali. This was second time in Chandigarh for me. Even at 4.00am the city vehicle and people seemed so disciplined to me. If it would another city I doubt anyone will least bother to follow traffic rules,but Sardarji ( bus driver) crossed every island by following traffic rule though none was there to watch him. A city always can be developed by it dwellers. We got a bus of  HRTC at 8.30am and the journey has started. On the way we faced an accident though none got major injury. We reached at Our hotel at 9.30pm and went to sleep(after dinner) with lots of imagination about trek which was one night apart from us.

28th morning in Manali started with a glimpse of Snow covered mountain range ,from our hotel window, injected extra energy in us.

     Snow topped Himalaya _ Old Manali

We were scheduled to meet IH team by 11.00 am at Rambaugh, near Manali mall. As we had enough time we visited the famous Hadimba temple. Hadimba was wife Bhim ( 2nd Pandava) . The temple surrounded by so many trees, making the atmosphere more intense and it was absolutely quiet..

The wooden work of temple is so aesthetic.

HADIMBA Temple 

We reached at Rambaugh and met our Trek leader Mr. Akheel Sharma. Few member were there and more to join our group. We started at 12.10pm by three nos. of Tata sumo from the bank of river Beas for Jobra (8500ft) .

Hydro -Project on the way to Jobra

                                       

Flock of Sheep

We reached at Jobra  near 1.30pm and Akheel briefed about the trek and everyone gave brief introduction. We had our lunch by local food Situ ( kind of momo) .

Finally the moment arrived  when group of 27 different aged people were ready to start their dream trek for Hampta pass under leadership of Akheel Sharma (representative of IH) & his group .With loads of excitement our trek started from Jobra  through forest of Maple, Berch, Dehodhar followed by velvet green meadows with small pretty flowers of various colours . 

Trek has started from Jobra

Within an hour the first twist appeared,  heavy rain thus increasing the water level as well as current of Rani river .Everyone drenched in rain were waiting on the stony bank, freezing due to chilly breeze. As a novice I realized for the first time how important role can be played by guides and a trek leader. While we were shivering in cold they were continuously trying to make a way so that we could cross the roaring river safely . I was amazed how some people can be so selfless to ignore their life risk and comfort for sake of others. With lot of struggle through icy water and help of those helpful people we crossed the river.

Rani river( pic courtesey _Tushar phalak)

At 6.00pm we reached Chika (10,400ft), our 1st campsite. The glistening snow topped peak Indrakela was becoming fade from our sight with the settling sun.

    Rani river from Chika

Indrakela

    Chika Campsite

We had bonfire in evening followed by snacks.Everyone was busy to dry up clothes and shoes as they got wet while crossing Rani river.

Next day we started for Balu ka Gera(12,000ft) in the morning 9.00am after breakfast. We crossed bare brown mountains ,some steep sections, small brooks and Jwara nala . We screamed in joy & fear while small pebbles hurting our feet and chilled water was making our limb numb. 

                                                                   River at Chika

 Jwara Nala

After crossing a snow patch we reached to our camp site Balu –ka gera on the bank of Rani river at 3.30pm .

We could see the snowy Hampta pass as well as Indrasan peak . Local mythology says it is throne of God. Indra and he sits with other Gods around him for meeting. But for us the view was mesmerizing, heavenly . 

             Hampta Pass from Balu-Ka Gera campsite

Playful Horses at Baku-Ka Gera campsite

With time, fading light and temperature was gradually decreasing making difficult for us to sleep in sleeping bag even. Still the clear starry sky has its own beauty with ice cold wind and calm atmosphere.

The 3rd day was most important as we were going to reach our summit hampta pass(14,500ft) by 14km to and fro walk .It was real day to check “kisme kitna hai dum” . We started early at 8.30am., as we had to cross miles to reach our destination.

                                                                   Close View of Indrasan

After lot of effort , physical exhaustion we reached our goal .I am sure everyone felt like reaching in heaven . How it feels when you are standing on the top of mountain 

under blue sky and there is nothing except milky white snow and fog wherever you look around!! It must be heavenly, gives you majestic feeling. We started returning by sliding/ Walking over snowy slopes. It was as risky as adventurous.

                                                          The Summit_ Hampta Pass

Finally we returned to our new camp site at Jwara (11,000ft) by an additional 3km walk.

The 4th day came with another surprise as we had to cross snow bridge and climb a rock for avoiding Rani river.

Then we reached upper Jobra for our last camp site. It was time for the curtain to fall after 4days episodes. Few last conversation, jokes, contact exchanging were left followed by bon fire.

The very last day we ended our trek at lower Jobra .Everyone was shaking hands, hugging, cheering and promising to keep in touch. 5days was not a long span but 27 of us along with AKheel & Co. became like a family.They played a role like guardian to we, youngsters and become a support to seniors.

We came back to the point from where we had started, Rambaugh at 1.00pm.Then I along with my two friends returned to hotel with lots of sweet memories .That evening was for taking flavour of Manali mall and market.

The next day morning we took bus for Chandigarh,it was time to return home. We reached chandigarh at 10pm had our dinner and took train for Kolkata.

The journey ended but the experience and memories I gathered in the trek,will remain as treasure in my heart.It cannot be expressed in words but it is the irrevocable feelings which only can be felt in between majestic and calm atmosphere of  Himalayas..