New Years on a ridge

Unlike most new years this time i had decided to do something different on new years. Had got bored of the usual parties at dsoi, standing in long queues for something to eat/drink,dancing in claustrophobic places.....

So armed with our bagpacks and vodka we headed for the hills
Took the overnight bus for Macleodganj from CP,delhi

The next day before leaving had a nice breakfast at JJ's in mcleodganj as for the next two days we would have been devoid of all these earthly pleasures


Well the owner of JJ's was wearing these nice shoes so i cld not resist taking this candid pic



Well Mr monkey did oblige me by posing. Thank you sir!


What better than having a refreshing cup of garam garam chai at Himalayan tea shop before starting.
L-R Raja,Sunny,Sameer

We took off at 11:40 Am from here (DharamKot auto stand)



Reached Gallu temple at 12:25.
Height 6898 Feet


Somewhere mid way to triund we decided to pose


Signs of life

Battered , fatigued,tired but yet not giving up. Way to go Sameer!

Destination- so close but yet so far

They say as the wind blows the mantras of peace are spread throughout

Finally reached triund at 16:15 hours
For the google earth enthusiasts here are some intersting tidbits

Coordinates
32 degrees 15 minutes 689 seconds N
76 degrees 21 minutes 267 seconds E
9244 feet


Dhauladhars as viewed from triund.

I had to rely on the stability of my hand for this pic thanx to my tripod which ditched me

This guys looks like someone from the pupper show lol!

So on the 31 December 2006 this is how we celebrated
It tooks us some shots of neat vodka to keep the spirits high

These were Raja's friends who like us had come to celeberate new years at triund. Man i must say they made our new years special by singing some awesome songs. Here's to you guys

Ps: Some of their music composition will figure on my YouTube videos

Surviving heavy odds

Ferocious, friendly, territorial-Bakarwal dogs

Next day we started our trek further up towards laka where we were expecting a lot of snow

Tiranga Walli mata
Coordinates
32 Degrees 16 minutes 102 seconds N
76 Degrees 21 minutes 278 seconds E
9640 Feet

Scenes enroute to Laka

Group Potrait along with my GPS

Sprite bindaas baake sab bakwas

on seeing so much snow we cld'nt contain our excitement....

Lot of snow at laka

Multiple potraits

Dharamshala, Mcleodganj at night

Photographer photographed

This was something very disturbing i noticed. Some of the people who come here were big litterbugs. People should realise how important it is to maintain the environment.

After spending two days on triund it was time to bid farewell



While Descending we decided to take the Bhagsu route which is considered tougher for climbing, of course we were descending :)

Van Devi temple

In the background you can see kangra valley

Flora and Fauna

Siva's painting on a rock

Bhagsu Falls