Chachan and I went Trekking...(Epilogue)

To @ with love

Epilogue

The trek back

The next day it was a long trek of about 23 kms. straight to Chidwasa our first spot, that awaited us. We had breakfast and said our final good-byes to Nandanvan and the mountains around. It was a joyous lot that made their back. We had achieved what we had set out for and the trek back was mostly downhill so there wouldn't be much of a strain. We clambered over the rocky section and Chachan was fortunate for having not made it with one limb less when Shuttle upset a one-ton-or-so stone. We set off at a terrific pace and we had wonderful conversation along the way. Chachan and I discussed everything under the sun. When we stopped for a break DK Bose showed us the fun ain't over anymore by stepping into what seemed like quick-sand. He was knee deep when we pulled him out, but he insists he had found a foot-hold..maybe he did. We passed people on the way after Goumukh and Bhojwasa. And I was cheeky enough to wish a French dude 'salut' after he gave me a 'namaste'. Someone ought to tell these guys that namaste is virtually unheard of nowadays and they look really funny bowing and saying 'namaste' as though we don't know a word of English. Small kids nowadays are taught to wave and say 'bye-bye' or 'hello', but hey its nice to hear a namaste once in a while. I wouldn't score high if my French ma'am heard that I wished him an informal 'salut'. But it was part cheek and part bro-hood on these mountains, so French guy if you are reading-"salut". We reached Chidwasa by evening, but Dude was nowhere behind. He was limping somewhere far behind, given company by a tired Kaanta. When he finally made it to camp, the whole camp cheered for its only 'lady'. Hey but he did brave the boils a long time. The next morning I made sure my last dump on the mountains was memorable by selecting a good spot like before. After this I went over to the river-bank to pay my respects to the river one last time. It was a solemn affair, and that was when I got the idea to get you what I got you-@. It was tough finding, but it was worth the trouble and Chachan helped too. After breakfast we made the last stretch back to Gangotri. Me and Chachan met a group of Malayalees on a pilgrimage and were treated as heroes for having been to Nandanvan and Vasuki-Tal. Our small moments of pride; it was nice to meet people from back home. On the way back to Uttarkashi it was more heart-clinching turns by bus and more camaraderie. We got back day after to the insti saying goodbyes to Jhansi & c.o and Kaanta 2 at Haridwar. It was the day after we started from Uttarkashi when we dragged our tired arses into SAC.

Final Words

It was a trek I'll remember for a life-time. It had so many incidents, so much thrill, so many mishaps, so many heart-stoppers, that it truly reflected the name Adventure and Trekking (club). Right from the start to the very end it was a nerve-trying, gut-wrenching ride and in between all this fun. It was a trek in which I was reborn-twice, with many near-death experiences. Like Kaanta said "in sab mein hamein seekhne ki bahut sare cheezein hein"(There's a lot to learn in all this). It was something which made me think more of you-@, everything connected to me, and life in general. I shall never forget the new friends I made on this trek. Guys, the time we spent together will remain with me forever. Hope we could do another one soon. Waiting for that and the memories it will bring....

THE END.