Launtri Khark to Pandavsera
43. The morning was as usual clear with blue skies, we started
early as the route was supposed to be challenging since it involved crossing
two gorges and the guide repeatedly mentioned to me about them , hence I knew
that it was a matter not to be taken lightly.
44. The gorges crossing involved walking precariously up and
down the mountain slopes, hopping over huge boulders definitely not a very
pleasant situation considering that I had camera gear strapped to my chest also
. So after around 30 minutes of walking I arrived at my first gorge called as Panoor
ghad which implied as small river. To cross it we descended downwards
and I found it manageable. Thereafter crossing the river at a suitable point we
started the climb again parallel to the river which was tumbling down. After continuing
ahead uphill we reached Pandor Khark , where we rested for a
while and waited for the team to arrive . It was a small clearing on the edge
of the mountain range and gave a sense of the magnitude of this region. It was
vast and far in the distance we could see the Bharal or Blue Sheep grazing.
Elevation read 3942 mts.
45. We moved ahead and reached the second gorge known as Dwari
Ghad which was a cracker in itself . On my own maybe I could have never
done it .. the climb down was so steep that sweat still forms on my hand as I
think of it. The early morning mist on the dried leaves and the loose soil on
that barely visible path at an angle of around 75 degrees down gradient gave me
the shivers. I stood on the edge and wondered how to go about it, should I sit
on my haunches and slowly crawl ahead or should I shuffle slowly sideways, my
guide and head porter were ahead of me and looking at me to take the first step
encouraging me that they will take care if I slip.
46. I took a deep breath and the first step, shuffling slowly
ahead .. the path twisted and turned as I walked very slowly with baby steps,
the camera gear on me firmly strapped and balanced. The descent was around one
km and half and it took me an hour think or maybe more, I really do not
remember but I do remember sweating in the sun.
47. Finally we reached the base and then had to cross the river
and then there was the climb ahead. But we took rest here and soon the entire
team too arrived and the tea can was put to good use. After the tea break it
was up and up as we moved towards Dhhar Ki Dwari which was around two
kms ahead. This place was right at the edge of the mountain valley and far into
the distance I saw my first sight of Pandav Sera , a unique valley surrounded
by towering mountains and the river in between shimmering in the afternoon sun.
Elevation read 3800 mts,
48. Again we descended towards the valley and finally after an
hour and half I reached an open space having towering rocks placed .. this was
the magical Pandav Sera, a veritable paradise in this desolate rough world.
Elevation read as 3755 mts. The sun
was up in the afternoon sky as I took my load off and with a camera in hand
wandered off into the valley to click some magical moments while the team
erected the camp and relaxed in the sun. After days in mountains and cramped locations,
this felt really wonderful.
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