Namaste!

Yes, it did feel as if we had scaled half the height of Mt. Everest! And if that's where we want to go one day (Base Camp!), we simply had to take this challenge of scaling Gosainkund! And yes, we too jumped into the first bus, minus the sleeping bags, windproof jackets, extra socks, trek pants and other basic necessities! God knows where our mind was! Perhaps we thought that we were only going for a picnic in the park!

The trek from Dunche to Deurali (2506m) took us through rocky paths and steps that were twice the height of a standard step. We zigzagged endlessly, eyes glued to the ground for fear of missing a footstep. The Timberland trekking shoes helped but still Mother Earth won many a battle over the tired feet.

Along the way, we spotted the yak cheese factory and decided to buy some on the return trip. The rains continued to dampen everything including the backpack, adding to the agony of having to carry a heavier backpack. This reduced the walking speed even further. As the sight of every tea lodge became a welcome relief, the urge to stop and rest grew stronger and stronger....oh God!

Gulping down hot lemon tea (for internal warmth) and tucking into boiled potatoes (for energy), we continued to push ourselves. Gradually, the scenery changed and we continued up past Chandanbari (3200m)...stop! stop! Have to rest!

More tea please! Ok ready! Let's go! And then we found ourselves walking through an amazing mysterious forest. If only trees could talk, what a story they would tell! The whole forest was damp, cold, dark green, mossy, eerie and veiled in thick swirling mist.
Now, if Stephen King were to find this place.... but we loved it. It was Mother Nature who was as old as the land we stood on. We felt like intruders but at the same time unafraid.

But then the sun had set behind the mists and we began to realise that everyone else had gone forward and had left both of us behind. The forest was getting darker and darker...visibility was 5 feet and less...tired eyes were playing tricks...it continued to drizzle...then the rocky path changed into a mud-path...Oh God! where were we? How far more to go? It's already dark and cold and wet! WHERE'S EVERYBODY GONE???

Hey! That's not fair isn't it! How can they simply leave us behind in the dark forest and expect us not to get lost! Then, lo and behold, God said "Let there be Light!" And He came to guide us with a torchlight that blinked and flickered because of wet batteries. Leading the way, we followed hand-in-hand, blindly stepping forward with nothing but faith in our hearts. Little did we realise that one wrong step to the side, would have sent us down the ravine to be lost forever in the thick undergrowth.

And finally we reached Cholang Pati with back breaking, legs acheing, drenched to the bones. Can you imagine we moved up 1663m plus 14hrs trekking, in one day! Wow, is the word!

At the strike of dawn, we moved out. The fact that Gosainkund was just "round the corner" inspired us enough to keep walking. Leaving the forest behind, we moved up into higher ground where the scenery took our breath away. Now, we got glimpses of the beautiful Lantang Range drapped in white mists like the way a silken saree would envelope the shape of a woman. It moved around silently, playing hide and seek with the camera lens.

At Laurivinayak (3900m) we rested to reflect upon the beauty of God's creation. Looking up, we saw the top of the mountain we had to pass through. Well, so far we've made it. Now is not the time to quit! Time was ticking and last night's experience was a grim reminder to make sure that we reached our Holy destination before sundown.

Cresting the pass on the top was a major effort. Just when we thought that it was safe, we found ourselves walking along the narrow path leading to self-realisation. Yes, we did throw a stone over the side to see how far down was the ground (as it was covered with mist)...we never heard it hit the ground! Ok! That was consoling enough to make sure that we stuck as close as possible to the cliff walls.

Like a snake, we moved along the ledge getting closer and closer. The nice thing was, pilgrims who were returning would encourage us to keep going by telling us that it's not far away...lt's just another 10 minutes. But little did they know that their 10 minutes was our 20 minutes! Even then it felt like hours!

God bless you...to be continued.