10th June 2024 – Monday
Bali Pass : Day 0, reaching Dehradun
Bali Pass : Day 1, arriving in Sankri from Dehradun
Bali Pass : Day 2, journey to Seema from Sankri
Today was one of the craziest experiences I’ve ever had.
Yesterday night I woke up at 2 am to a raging stomach ache. It was scary, it was pitch dark inside the tiny tent and I was unable to fall back asleep. Within 10 mins I had a waste bag in front of me and threw up. This went on one more time until all of my stomachs contents had drained away and my exhaustion carried me back to sleep.
The next morning I woke up and felt the sickly sensation from last night. The thought of food repulsed me and any attempts at eating breakfast were quickly dismissed.
Consequently, my energy on the trek was exponentially reduced and I found myself struggling to keep up with the rest of the team. Every step felt like a challenge and the uphill ascent was proving to be more and more exhausting by the minute.
I took frequent breaks and drank water as the sight of a food item revoked the urge to puke.
This took a huge toll on my pace and my legs were starting to get sore with each step.
As the day went on I felt myself slipping away into complete exhaustion, my head started to ache and my thighs developed a muscle cramp.
I realised I cannot make it at this pace and the trek team broke up. My father, Dinesh Uncle, Suresh who was the trek lead and I made one group, while the rest went on with their pace.
It was a tough climb, it felt like there was no end to it and my legs felt like they were on the verge of giving up.
When we reached Devsu Bugyal, I asked Suresh how much longer. He told me we were only half way there.
I couldn’t do it. I reached a total breaking point mentally and my face showed it.
‘What the hell had I gotten myself into’ I thought.
At this point my body was giving up and Suresh told me there was one huge descent through the forests left where I had to walk fast.
I just couldn’t do it. But there was no other option here.
He then took my hand and just sprinted in full speed through the steep wooden terrain.
I wasn’t even aware of my surroundings, I just went with it. I could see flashes of huge trees and the ground below me every time I opened my eyes.
There were times where my foot would skid but the running speed and twists and turns of the terrain left no time to stop. It was like a roller coaster. Both physically and mentally. But somehow we reached the base and I let out a huge sigh of relief and my heart started beating at a normal pace again.
‘Okay one last stretch to go, you managed to cross the difficult part’ I said to comfort myself.
Little did I know….
Just then a thundering sound erupted in the skies. The weather was worsening. If we didn’t catch the camp by noon we would be stranded in the rain.
The others helped me with some exercises and massaging and I had to get back to walking again.
The rain began, the weather got colder.
I put the raincoat on and we begin walking faster .
I felt myself losing it , just praying for this to end.
Just then a click sound hit my ear.
click.
click. click.
click. click. click. click
I looked down,
Pieces of ice were falling.
A hailstorm was approaching
We were stuck in the middle of nowhere, just mountains coated in green all around us.
We had no other choice but to keep walking.
The intensity of the hailstones increased and it felt like bullets hitting your skin. Especially the parts where my hand was exposed in order to hold the trekking pole.
As we neared we saw a small shack with some smoke coming out. We ran and there were people inside.
An older person saw me and came back with some hot tea and a plate of maggi.
I immediately ate the food for the first time in the day and sat on a nearby stone in exhaustion.
We had to keep moving though. It was utterly dangerous to stay on after 2 pm in the open as the weather could turn fatal at any time.
Just a week before we left for the trek, a similar trekking group had unfortunately met a painful fate after being stranded in the middle of a blizzard that had unleashed in the late afternoon and continued for several hours. Here it didn’t matter how experienced or fit you were, the mountains spare none. If you were stranded in the bad weather, you may have just signed your death warrant.
So we had no choice but to keep walking.
The rest of the journey was a blur of exhaustion, every step I made was met with further ascents and descents, over and over with no end to it.
After several hours of ceaseless walking, we finally reached camp and joined with the rest of the group. We had walked about 17 kilometres in total and the moment I stepped into the tent, I fell asleep immediately.
It was only 2 hours later when I woke up and lay inside the sleeping bag and stared at the apex of the tent that I wondered to myself.
‘Holy shit. That was a crazy day.’
Bali Pass : Day 4, journey to Ruinsara Lake
Bali Pass : Day 5, journey to the Basecamp
Bali Pass : Day 6, a chilling ascent, summit triumph, and a snowy descent
Last Day of Bali Pass Trek: An Epic Himalayan Adventure in 2024
August 30, 2024
Read more
September 10, 2024
Read more
August 16, 2024
Read more
August 16, 2024
Read more
July 22, 2024
Read more
July 22, 2024
Read more
May 10, 2024
Read more
March 28, 2024
A complete guide about the beautiful Himalayan village named Sankri. This article contains all the details that you need to know about Sankri. The best treks from Sankri, The best accommodation in...
Read moreMarch 20, 2024
A comprehensive guide for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts curious about the structure of a customized trekking program. This article outlines all the facilities provided within our customized trekking programs.
Read moreMarch 14, 2024
A complete guide about the best places to visit near Mussoorie, the famous picnic destinations in Mussoorie, best trekking places near Mussoorie
Read moreMarch 11, 2024
A complete guide about the best places to visit near Dehradun, the famous picnic destinations in Dehradun, best trekking places near Dehradun
Read moreFebruary 2, 2024
A complete guide to the most popular and famous National parks of Uttrakhand, India along with the trekking destinations associated with them.
Read moreSeptember 28, 2023
Trekking in the Himalayas offers a unique experience, combining imposing peaks, serene valleys, and diverse cultures. Preparation and safety are crucial.
Read moreSeptember 25, 2023
Explore the divine heights of the Indian Himalayas with our guide to the 14 Best Destinations for Spiritual Trekking.
Read moreSeptember 22, 2023
Explore the pros and cons of solo and group trekking in the majestic Himalayas to find out which suits your trekking style best.
Read moreSeptember 22, 2023
Discover stunning treks to do in Himalaya in October, November, and December in India.
Read moreSeptember 18, 2023
Explore our comprehensive guide to Himalayan Trekking Permits, designed for adventurers like you.
Read moreSeptember 18, 2023
Discover the top trekking places in Kashmir featuring stunning lakes and towering peaks.
Read moreAugust 23, 2023
Prepare well for beginner Himalayan treks: essentials, best routes, high altitudes, fees, and cultural immersion for a secure adventure.
Read moreAugust 18, 2023
Discover the causes, symptoms, prevention strategies, and effective treatments for Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Read moreAugust 16, 2023
Explore Himachal's stunning landscapes with thrilling Manali treks. Experience extraordinary walks amidst magnificent mountains and serene roads.
Read moreAugust 14, 2023
Explore Uttarakhand's stunning weekend getaways with short treks, immersing yourself in nature's beauty and adventure on these breathtaking trails.
Read moreAugust 9, 2023
Discover the toughest and most difficult treks in India and test your endurance in the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas.
Read moreAugust 2, 2023
Maintaining camp hygiene and sanitation safeguards health, environment, and water sources, ensuring an enjoyable, compliant, and safe camping experience.
Read moreJuly 25, 2023
Sonamarg, in India, captivates with its stunning landscapes. Nestled in Kashmir, it's a serene haven for nature and adventure enthusiasts.
Read moreJuly 24, 2023
Nanda Devi National Park, in Uttarakhand, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning Himalayan landscapes.
Read moreJuly 19, 2023
Discover beginner-friendly treks in India's Himalayas. Experience breathtaking mountain beauty, push limits, and connect with nature in stunning landscapes.
Read moreJuly 18, 2023
The state of Uttarakhand boasts of two of the top three mountains in India. Read the blog to find out about the famous peaks of Uttarakhand...
Read moreSeptember 10, 2021
Garhwal Himalaya offers thrilling treks. Hydration is crucial, and it's essential to drink water regularly, even in colder temperatures.
Read moreFebruary 28, 2023
Har Ki Dun: Popular Trek in Uttarakhand with Breathtaking Views of Himalayan Peaks, Meadows, and Rivers.
Read moreFebruary 1, 2024
Why Bali Pass Trek should be your very next trek? The complete guide. This artiucle has answer of almost all your questions.
Read more