The intention was a hike to a waterfall. Instead, the day became a trek to 9,325 feet (2,842 meters) and glorious 360 views from a grassy plateau.
The biggest question mark for the next portion of my bike trip is how will the altitude be. Acclimation will be key, but also accepting that I won't have the same speed and reaction times as normal. The name of the game with be slow and steady.
In an effort to begin my acclimatization early, I opted to use my two days off from yoga to hike the trails around Dharamsala. The tour agencies in town advertise a day trek to Triund, and in speaking to other travelers I am advised that the trail is well marked with several chai huts along the way. "Aim to get to the top by 11am as that is when the clouds begin to roll in."
I think to myself it is better to ease my way into this trekking thing and will spend the morning hiking to a nearby waterfall as a test. After a week, my daily hike through the woods to Dharamkot has become a nice warmup and today I am greeted by the sounds of chanting streaming from the meditation center. Once in Dharamkot, I look to bypass the car road and find what I hope is the secondary trail. For the next hour I climb stairs, cross ridges and pass through farmsteads. If it were not for the company of a herdsman and his goats and cows, I would have thought I was just wondering aimlessly in the mountains.
Setting off from McLeod Ganj just before 7am, my intention was to turn around from whichever point I had reached by 9am. I should have made it to the waterfall by then and 4 hours of hiking would be a solid first day. So I thought.
With heavy legs and shorten breathe, I climb the last steep switch back over the ridge and meet up with the main trail. A group of day hikers in full kit are somewhat surprised to see me come out of nowhere. "You took the shortcut I see" says their guide. I look down at my watch and see that it is 8:50am. With no waterfall in sight, I think to myself "That was a shortcut?"
The sun shining bright with not a cloud in the sky, I decide to see what the next 10 mintues bring. What a shame to not make it to my goal and it could be around the next corner. The main trail, while rocky, has a much gentler grade and with my legs fully warmed up, I feel I am finally making good progress. It takes me 45 minutes to get to the next corner and it is only then, when sitting at the Magic View chai stop I realize that I am actually on the trail to Triund and my 4 hour hike has become an all-day trek. So much for that warm-up hike.
Another hour to the top and I reach the summit just before 11am. Throughout the hour, the sheer face of the mountain hugs you on your left and the towns of Dharamsala, McLeod Ganj, Dharamkot and Bhagsu drift farther and farther away to your right as you climb higher. As you cross the ridge to the top, the snow-capped mountains appear and a grassy field welcomes you, the wonder of it all catches your breathe. What a glorious morning it has been!
06.03.14
The Dhauladhars, India
9:42am
My company for the first hour.
The monks were good company along the trail. They played music from their phones and sang along.
Reaching the summit.
The difference of 1 hour and the clouds are rolling in. It is time to start thinking about going back down.
First a chat with a shepherd shearing his sheep.
Good thing I went up early, the afternoon traffic is a nightmare.
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