Day 4 - Gadsar to Satsar
We have an easier schedule today. It is 6, 7, 8. We are been told that today is pretty much relaxing. A lot of meadow walk expected. When I wake up I feel feverish and there is a sharp pain in my knees and muscles. I do not pay much attention as this is expected after what we achieved the day before.
The day starts with a tricky situation. We are supposed to cross an ice bridge. It sounded very exciting to all of us. Soon news spreads that someone heard the bridge crack. This creates a lot of confusion. We might have to take an alternate way. Which means we need to walk more and also cross an ice cold stream. Nobody is interested in taking this alternate way. By now our trek mate Deepmala has crossed this tricky bridge. Javed Bhai, Dushyant and Ravi check the situation of the ice bridge which has cracked a bit and decide that we carefully cross it. I am pretty nervous, given that I'm able to walk very very slowly due to my knee pain.
With our fingers crossed, one by one we start crossing this bridge. I'm crossing the bridge at the speed of a tortoise with Javed bhai's help and all of a sudden a very sharp pain shoots through my right knee. I freeze in the frozen bridge. We all are told not to stop but keep moving slowly as the bridge is a bit tricky. I always have a situation! That too tricky! I pull up all my energy and cross the bridge and here comes another ascent. This was never accounted! This is not how a breezy day starts! I find a place to sit. My leg is not cooperating anymore. Here comes Ravi the savior. Fortunately he has a knee cap which he hands over to me. Also I take a pain killer from Dushyant and resume my trek.
There is no meadow walk today! We need to walk through the narrow path of these beautiful mountains. One more day which is a treat for the eyes. Only if my knee was not hurting I could have breezed through this path! My DSLR goes click-click-click.
I have read that Himalayas will stun you with it's vivid landscapes. Seeing is believing and I'm fortunate to have seen it.
Also we spot Nanga Parbat. It is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. That is the information I received. Here is the picture of the beautiful mountain.
Today was not as easy as expected but has been visually very pleasing and there is no 'Pass' to cross. The long walk is a bit exhausting though. Nasarullah, our trek mate, who was expecting a more breezy walk says 'Why is life throwing stones at us yaar?'. We correct him saying 'Life nahin, mountains are throwing stones at us'. Himalayas is not ready to give anything for free. We need to walk miles and miles before we sleep. The sights remind me of Silk Route.
Very soon we reach the army check post. Seeing Indian flag flying high gives me goosebumps. All of a sudden patriotism runs through my veins. Gathering every bit of energy all of us march towards the camp. Our ID cards are checked by the jawans. All of us click pictures with jawans and the Indian flag. A very proud moment for me. It feels great meeting the jawans who dedicate their lives for us. Day and night guarding us. Talking to them on their lives in these mountains gives a new perspective towards life. Why do we crib about silly things in life? Bangalore traffic is not worth dreading about. My work is nowhere challenging compared to what these army jawans have to go through. Then why do I crib so much? The talk also gives us understand that the valley is not as dangerous as it is depicted by the media. Checking out army bunkers is a new thing for many of us. Sheer excitement grips the group! Slowly we move towards our campsite.
Now comes the rough part. It is only boulders everywhere. With my hurting knee, I struggle to cross these ones. Ravi comes my rescue. I need to appreciate this guy's patience. He tries to convert his entire energy to induce some positivity in me and encourage me. On the way we trace some remains of sheeps and other animals. Wold there be mountain lions too? (Thought injected by movies/ NatGeo). We are told that this area have some wild bears. Once again sheeps flock in and create a traffic jam. A cute traffic jam.
Soon we reach our campsite at Satsar. I am dieing of hunger! My knee is in a very bad shape! There comes one of the yummiest food I have ever had. Dal-chawal-butter-sabzi-pickle! I pounce on it! Hog-hog-hog and then go for a nap.
Meanwhile the energy bombs in the group - Adithya, Ronak, Pushpam and other guys, go for India's favorite sport - Cricket. Unable to move my body, I watch the game through the window of my tent. The soundtrack from Walter Mitty movie - Don't let it pass, is ringing in my head. Here is the picture taken by Swaraj.
The day is pretty good. The group seemed very relaxed. We sip some hot tea and popcorn in the evening. Dushyant arranges for a fun session where all of us talk about our ourselves. We crib about our city life and a bunch of us get into a philosophical mood. A fun evening I must say. This is followed by a musical evening. Thanks to Aamir. The mood of the group is fun and light now. Bollywood songs topped by some cool rap from Dushyant on Yo Yo Honey Singh. I love this evening. We have a nice and fun dinner followed by ginger water (of course). Oxygen levels checked. This was the most relaxing evening of the entire trek.
Our campsite is surrounded by rocky mountains. The temperate is supposed to drop a lot but fortunately it did not. Thank God there is no snow! The photographers in our group go for some expert night-photography. I just relax and slip into my sleeping bag.
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