Majestic Dhauladhar Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh, India
The Dhauladhar Range of Himalaya is an enticing avenue for both the climbers/trekkers as well as day hikers. The moment you step foot in the town of Dharmshala, Dhauladhar rises like a crown that watches over you like a guardian angel. From April till the month of October, one can always look towards these mountains and wish to get closer to them.
One such day in the month of April, we decided to walk towards the higher reaches of Dhauladhar. Although we had come to spend a day in Dharmshala but it did not turn out to be as cool as we had expected it to be. The weather Gods were relentless, and the summer sun appeared a few hundred kilometers closer to us. However. Dhauladhar snow was still intact and it looked, as I have said earlier, an attractive proposition to venture in the wilderness.
The three of us started chasing a random stream and followed it up for half an hour. The trail disappeared into the woods and we decided to turn back. Just then a shepeherd met us headed towards his base camp higher up in the mountains. He guided us towards his makeshift hut a little ahead. Although he was going in a different direction but his instructions were as clear as daylight.
We mustered courage to head towards this unknown habitation and were surprised at every turn. The stream grew into a pool with bluish water jumping like a happy kid welcoming us strangers.
Though it was getting late we could not stop ourselves from jumping into the pool. And the moment we jumped in, we realized the meaning of 'bone chilling cold'. At the same time, let me clarify that one needs to be a trained swimmer to swim in these mountains streams and one should exercise extreme caution while venturing into wild mountains streams.
There was a slate mine close by and workers were coming from their evening shifts. We confirmed our trail marking from them and bade goodbye to them. Going by what the good shepherd told us, we were getting closer to our night halt. Our surroundings grew darker and darker, it seemed impossible for me to find any accommodation at such an altitude in the wilderness. A few moments later, we got what we had been promised. A tiny hutment made of wood and stone with a functioning kitchen - traditional wooden stove and candles. Suprisningly, the kitchen was stocked with supplies that any visitor could use. The only rule was to use what was needed and leave the kitchen as one had found it.
These huts are community properties wherein shepherds moving to higher reaches spend their nights, stock their supplies. The good-natured beings that they are, they always open up their kitchens and hearts for strangers like us making us learn the invaluable lesson of sharing with all our might, whatever our means may be.
We had a hearty meal and a sound sleep under the shadow of these benevolent mountains.
Until we meet again!
