We arrived at 8pm at Dalhousie base camp of invincible. food was ready and as per their rule they divided us all in different team and named Alpha, bravo, charlie, delta... as like army troops.
we were bravo. team of 12.
after dinner they took us for small walk for acclimatization and they told us easy ways to acclimate at high altitude like do drink local water (not packed bottles), wear your warm cap as half of your is hidden, walk and comfort your body and breathing system all basics of trekking.
we were loose for sleep that night because second day it was early morning schedule to start trek to kalatop.
Dalhousie. An English name? yes it is.
Dalhousie is names after 'The Earl of Dalhousie' A british governer general.
Beautiful city on 5 hills with many stories and beautiful views. Dalhousie's architecture and street design is beautiful and well planned. I was there on my first trek with invincible NGO.
On second day because of hot water issue our team was last to report at base and all other team left for trek. we almost got punished but they gave us challenge that if we complete trek at kalatop before everyone we are not getting punished.
We started trek with one of instructor. Invincible have very good, kind and knowledgeable instructors and volunteers. we walked continue till one stop ( forgot exact name as it was 6 years ago) and took a short break surprisingly all team were their and we had chance to overtake them.
We took rest for 10 to 15 minutes and started again? ith all of them there was on place where sliding was easy so we enjoyed it and at the end we finished first at kalatop and head instructor sayed (bach gaye). that base camp of kalatop is not possible to describe in word. We were at base and surrounded by clouds amd hills.
Kalatop is a village with beautiful houses near about 8 to 10 houses. people of kalatop leave height in winter because of cold they can't do work in farm.
They all shift down to other place for few months.
Structure of their houses are very wise and strong wooden. almost all houses were with underground store room where they keep their luggage. There was also one campsite of youth hostels.
That day it was our(team bravo) turn to serve night food. After dinner all enjoyed at campfire and set at edge for few minutes and slept tight.
With fresh morning at kalatop and after breakfast we started for trek to dainkund. One things happened, we stored water in one tank at night for morning use, but in morning it became ice on top.
Dainkund is situated at 9038 ft from sea level. It is heights peak in Dalhousie with stunning 360 view.
Always i realised when i complete trek at high peak pain, tiredness, depression, aggression run away... just feel that wind touching your ears, take a look to that beautiful nature around you, enjoy your winning battle.
From dainkund many mountains like pir panjal range are visible.
Indian air force base is also clearly visible from peak and not so far.
It was fresh snow when we were there because just two days ago there was a snow fall. it's really fun to travel during winter if you love snow, it's also pretty good in summer and monsoon if you love greenery every where around you.
When returning from peak sliding in fresh snow was best part near around 6:30 pm we reached back to kalatop base camp.
Next day trek was for khajjiar but because of heavy snow fall on that route it was possible to trek there. it was sad news but on other also good news that we got time to spend on kalatop base camp. i was in love with that place till today that views are in my mind.
A free day at kalatop we hang out with instructors last night talked alot about that place. again superb early morning in kalatop house inside the sleeping bag i was smiling inside and suddenly all.of us shouted in joy. it was clearly visible 'Our happiness'.
We spent half day at kalatop and trek back to dalhousie base camp before sunset. enjoyed group talking camp fire and dinner at base camp and had back to hotel rooms.
It was free day, no instructor no restriction for roaming around in city. we roamed different places, different streets of Dalhousie. Tried different food, local food.
Now time for hard part. Specially for me. it was good bye time. i was so attached with that place it was really hard to leave. Even instructors became good friends of us.
With rock on heart we headed back to pathankot railway station by taxis.
That beautiful Dalhousie is still visible when i close my eyes, sound of that air touching our ears at dainkund peak is still hearable for my ears. My heart is continue asking me to be there again and again.