It was April, and we were off on yet another mountain adventure. We were craving that rush of adrenaline and couldn't wait to get started. This time, we picked a place that promised to offer us way more than just an average trek. And boy did it deliver! We were like little explorers wading our way through snowy slopes, pushing through dense forests of Pine and Deodar trees, and meandering through beautiful green valleys surrounded by breathtaking snowcapped mountains. We even tackled a sea of boulders that tested our strength and courage. And guess what? We made it to the glacier and back, all 15,000 feet of it! I was seriously proud of myself for that one.
So, let me take you back to the start of the fun. It was the 27th of April 2013, and we had just arrived at Joshimath, this adorable little village nestled in the mountains. Our guesthouse was located right beneath the rope way cables and had the most amazing views of the snowcapped mountains. The Trek Leader, Sandeep, and his team from "Trek The Himalayas (TTH)" gave us the warmest welcome, and we were introduced to all the fellow trekkers, including the Asst. Trek Leader, cooks, and porters. It was such an awesome group of people, and we spent the evening sharing our stories of past adventures and trekking activities. Everyone was so enthusiastic and helpful, and we knew we were in good hands.

Day 1 (28th April, 2013)

The next day, the real adventure began! We woke up early, feeling pumped and ready to go. We hopped in a cab and headed 44 km away from Joshimath to a little village called Jumma, where our trek would officially start. We began with a river crossing, which was a bit of a challenge, but we made it across safely. Then, it was time to climb up to the Ruing village, which was at a whopping 9,184 feet! The descent down to the river was an absolute blast. We covered 3 kilometers in 3 hours. After that, the day was filled with all sorts of fun activities. Our Trek Leader brought along some indoor sports equipment, and we started off with a game of tug-of-war before moving on to some card games like Uno. Uno was the highlight of the day - we were all having a blast!
After a delicious lunch, we decided to explore the entire village. To our surprise, there wasn't a single villager in sight. Later, we found out that they all migrated to lower altitude areas during the winter season. As the evening set in, we gathered around a cozy bonfire and decided to play some random music. But, as the night grew colder, we began to feel a little blue. That's when someone announced that dinner was ready, and boy oh boy, were we in for a treat! Hot and spicy soup inside the kitchen tent warmed us up and lifted our spirits. We all agreed that even Mainland China couldn't have satisfied us as much as that delicious meal did!

Day 2 (29th April, 2013)

The next day, we had an exciting plan to explore the village of Dronagiri. Our local guide, who was a master storyteller, had a lot of interesting tales to share with us. He told us the story of Hanuman, who had uprooted the Gandhomadon Parvat (mountain) from this very village and flown away with it, never returning it. The mountain had felt immense pain during this act, and its blood had dripped on some pebbles and stones, giving them special characteristics like the ability to change color. Our guide even showed us some of these remarkable stones that could change color with just a touch. However, it was quite evident that the locals held a grudge against Hanuman for his actions. We started the morning at a leisurely pace, taking in the stunning scenery as we trekked up and down. We had packed lunch with us and continued on our way, chatting, laughing, and panting along the way. Finally, after a long day's journey, we arrived at the Dronagiri village, which was also eerily empty like the previous one. But what amazed us were the intricate designs of the doors, windows, and shades of most of the huts at a height of 11,840 feet. The village was nestled on the slope of a peak and looked breathtakingly beautiful from the front side. After such a long and tiring day, it was pure bliss to slip into our cozy sleeping bags and doze off under the stars.

Day 3 (30th April, 2013)

The next day of our trek was supposed to lead us to the Lower Bagini Campsite, but we ended up discovering an even better spot to pitch our tent. This day turned out to be the most challenging of our entire trek, and we walked the longest distance yet. I stumbled into some ice holes a few times, but with the help of our local guide, I was able to make it through the last part of the trail. By the time we arrived at our campsite, the sun had already set. However, it was worth the effort as we were greeted by the most stunning view of snow-capped peaks surrounding us and a snowy ground that felt like a winter wonderland.

Day 4 (1st May, 2013)

In the morning, when I heard the cooking guy's call for tea, I just had to unzip my tent and take a peek outside. And let me tell you, it was nothing short of breathtaking! Right from my tent, I had an amazing view of the majestic Rishi Peak and the gorgeous Bagini Glacier. The group decided to venture further and make the most of the snow by heading to the glacier, leaving all our bags and stuff back at the campsite. However, a few folks decided to take a break and rest at the camp due to some nasty nausea and headaches.

Day 5 & 6 (2nd & 3rd May, 2013)

On the morning of May 2nd, our return journey began. The descent took us two days, and while it wasn't as physically exhausting as the ascent, something weighed heavy on my heart with each step. It felt as though the mountains were calling me back, and leaving that place behind was not an easy feat. The memories and experiences from these past few days will be cherished for a lifetime, and they have become an invaluable asset to me. Saying goodbye to that heavenly place was difficult, but I made a promise to myself that I would return soon.