Day 10: Mountaineering Course Series

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Early in the morning we departed from #NIM towards the starting point where we would begin our trek to Tel Camp. It had been named Tel camp for a reason. It means oil or fuel in Hindi. Our instructors warned us that the trek would squeeze all the energy and fuel you had to go on. We were getting mentally prepared that this would really test our stamina. I couldn’t help wondering what was it that would be such a big challenge?

I just had to wait a day or two to see what was coming. Rather live it.

Catch-your-breath stop while making our way to Tel camp..

The excitement was super high! I could feel it during the fall-in. Everyone was lined up with their teams, making last minute adjustments to their rucksack straps (the level of the rucksack and weight distribution was so important to carry it properly and actually enjoy the trek), fixing this, that, checking if we had taken everything. Only the deep, commanding voice of our instructor and some scolding could get us to stillness and leave our hearts beating a bit faster.

Some nervous anticipation was building up about what reaching Tel Camp would take. But the excitement and energy was so high, we all rode the wave. The nervousness was just washed over by it.

After all we were going on another adventure!

We made our way through villages, and started the steep climb. Till quite a while it was a continuous ascent and we had to match the speed of the person in front of us. The path was just wide enough for only one person to walk at a time. The sun was bright and strong and we hadn’t entered into the forests yet. My back was wet with sweat and I could feel the burn on the back of my neck.

The first rest stop. Everyone quickly found a place where they could put their rucksack and take off its weight. Some relief! We had water, flexed our shoulders a bit and got moving again. Not knowing how long we will be going before the next stop.

Carrying rucksacks was not a new thing. I had been on a couple of treks before and it had never bothered me because one would pack light, take the bare necessities and leave a lot of things at the base camp. It was never more than 6kg. But this time I had equipment, mountaineering gear and the duration was much longer. 12-15kg easily.

In addition, each team had to carry two ropes. We would take turns and carry the rope so that one person wasn’t burdened. It was heartwarming to see such willingness to share the work in our team, that the next person had to remind the one carrying it to exchange the rope.

I could catch the view of the road, villages, a tiny motorbike- signs of civilization we left behind, far below us. And the snow-capped mountains set against the solid blue sky, far above. I took in the view, soaked my eyes in the soothing blue. Filled my lungs with the cool air.

We continued and soon there was another very steep section for an hour. I remember this precisely because of how difficult it was and the number of times I saw my watch. We had to go on an almost vertical path to the top. I caught hold of strong tree roots, trunks, rocks, anything that I could use to pull myself up and counter the weight of the rucksack which was pulling me down. Each one had to maintain balance and consciously keep their weight forward to avoid falling back and dislodging the person behind.

There was no place or time to exchange the rope in this section and it was even more trying for the people who were carrying the ropes. I could see my team mate struggling but we had to wait before I could take it from her. The instructors, in a bid to encourage us, did not reveal how much was left and kept saying ‘we’re almost here’! After a point, we stopped believing them..

We kept going on. Finally that section ended and the way became relatively easy with some flat portions. My throats were parched, shoulders and neck were numb and sore. Worse were our instructors' false promise to give us squash at a particular point. That expectation of thirst being quenched left my throat drier.

I climbed another hill and came to the ridge. The sight of the open green meadow from there was so uplifting!

I could spot the pointed tops of the tents in the distance. We had arrived! The mountain views were scenic but I just couldn’t wait to put down my rucksack first. Ah! Even the slightest movement of the shoulders or arms was hurtful.

First thing we did when we reached!

As more people started coming in and I found my teammates, a few of us sat in a line to press each other’s shoulders and backs. I can’t explain that feeling and relief. Ah that moment! With the mountains in front of us and the trek behind us, I blessed the soul of my masseur for her selfless service which I passed on to the one sitting in front of me.

Soon, almost everyone was doing this. Imagine eight lines of 8-10 girls each relieving each other’s tensed muscles. It was an unusual and amazing sight. Sure enough, the instructors were equally amused by it. We were not surprised as they blew the whistle soon.

Time to fall-in!

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