Day 9
Got up in the morning feeling refreshed and confident to take on the world. Today's climb was a 600 mts gain which is the maximum elevation gain recommended per day. I was a bit anxious about how I would fare today. After the usual breakfast, we started our trek at 8:45am. The HRA guys had mentioned that it would take about 5-6hrs to climb slowly to Letdar. My guide seemed to think it would be a 4 to 4 and 1/2 hrs. trek. It was a steady uphill climb pretty much the entire trek. In between there were patches of steep climb interspersed with flat or downhill trails. It was cloudy all around and at no part of the trek did we get good glimpses of the mountains. It was also very very windy and very cold. There was a very very light snow fall as well (more like rice size snowflakes blowing in the wind occasionally). So for the 1st time during the entire trek, I had gloves and ear muffs on the entire time.
We went steadily with a few breaks here and there. I was very conscious not to go too fast and unnecessarily exert myself. Along the way, we saw some yaks as well. The scenery wasn't much to look at since most of it was covered with clouds. It however lent a dreamlike quality to the trail. The vegetation had changed from pine trees to 3-4 ft. high shrubs.
We reached Letdar in 3 and 1/2 hours. Literally smoked the trail. The last 45 mins was a steep climb and the high altitude meant that I felt every uphill step that I took. That was the only part where I was tired but since the end was in sight, it was ok. Had lunch right after checking in the lodge. No hot water shower here. It is extremely windy here. I am sitting inside wearing my thermals and 2 jackets and I am still cold. Spending the afternoon writing travel log and then reading a book. Don't know anyone else here and will have to make new acquaintances.
Got up in the morning feeling refreshed and confident to take on the world. Today's climb was a 600 mts gain which is the maximum elevation gain recommended per day. I was a bit anxious about how I would fare today. After the usual breakfast, we started our trek at 8:45am. The HRA guys had mentioned that it would take about 5-6hrs to climb slowly to Letdar. My guide seemed to think it would be a 4 to 4 and 1/2 hrs. trek. It was a steady uphill climb pretty much the entire trek. In between there were patches of steep climb interspersed with flat or downhill trails. It was cloudy all around and at no part of the trek did we get good glimpses of the mountains. It was also very very windy and very cold. There was a very very light snow fall as well (more like rice size snowflakes blowing in the wind occasionally). So for the 1st time during the entire trek, I had gloves and ear muffs on the entire time.
We went steadily with a few breaks here and there. I was very conscious not to go too fast and unnecessarily exert myself. Along the way, we saw some yaks as well. The scenery wasn't much to look at since most of it was covered with clouds. It however lent a dreamlike quality to the trail. The vegetation had changed from pine trees to 3-4 ft. high shrubs.
We reached Letdar in 3 and 1/2 hours. Literally smoked the trail. The last 45 mins was a steep climb and the high altitude meant that I felt every uphill step that I took. That was the only part where I was tired but since the end was in sight, it was ok. Had lunch right after checking in the lodge. No hot water shower here. It is extremely windy here. I am sitting inside wearing my thermals and 2 jackets and I am still cold. Spending the afternoon writing travel log and then reading a book. Don't know anyone else here and will have to make new acquaintances.
There were a bunch of Israeli people in the lodge and when
they took out their cards, I joined them. We started with yanniv and i won
handsomely. In yanniv, Israelis take a defeat from a non-Israeli very very seriously.
next they taught me another card game called "shithead". Whenever
there was a penalty to be taken, I got it from all the Israelis. It was fun
learning new card games and we played cards till about 8 pm. It wax however
extremely cold. We all had multiple jackets, woolen cap and gloves and yet we
were shivering. The fire place was going as well but it hardly registered any
heat. Also they would use yak shit as fuel and so every now and then it would
get smokey as well. Outside, in addition to high winds, it started snowing as
well. My room was very basic with just a double bed. There was no electricity
in the room and the toilet was outside.
I went to sleep at 8 pm, probably fell
asleep at 9 pm and had to wake up at 2am to pee. When I went out, it was still
snowing and there was about 1 inch accumulation. I couldn't fall asleep right
away but finally fell asleep around 3 am. Woke up at 6:30 am....
Random Facts
Cost of filtered water - Rs 50/liter
No cell phone coverage, no internet, no hot water shower, no electricity in room.
Altitude - 4200 mts.
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