The Trek to Sar Pass: A Picture Log

When I attempted to write about my trek to Sar Pass, I realized that it was becoming too long. So here is mu attempt through pictures to describle the trek; old habits die hard; I’ve used words here and there though. Sar Pass is at an altitude of roughly 14,000 ft from sea level. The pass is snow covered however, the ascend is full of thick green forests and the descend comprises of never ending grasslands.

Day Zero:

Instead of getting down at Patlikuhal, we proceeded on to Manali and got down midway on the highway. My two friends from the Cognizant training days and I met a bunch at Delhi and on the bus and we were about 9 people on the banks of the Beas river that morning.

From the base camp, we went on a two hour acclimatisation walk to a nearby village called Pulag. Our base camp was situated in a village called Rumsu right over Naggar was the last place reachable over road. The two hour walk with backpacks was quite tiring, more importantly made our resolve stronger and showed us what to expect in the following days. Marijuana plants were scattered here and there and I was amazed what length we all have to struggle if we have to get our hands on it back down in the South.

A lazy afternoon at the village of Rumsu. The clearing in the picture is the surrounded by huge trees where the village people gather for meetings and celebrations.

A picture perfect wooden cottage nestled in the forest.

The trek began from Kasol saw us wander through thick forests with incredibly tall trees. The greenery was exquisite and we felt the human noises receding away. The flat surface gradually rose into an up and down terrain.

A little stream was gushing past us down into the plains; this was the first place where filled up water. It was clear and sweet.

As we reached the village of Grahan after quite a tiring day, we were greeted by children surrounding us with outstretched hands saying ‘Choki Choki.’ The centre piece of Grahan was the temple, interesting and an intricate piece of art. It towered over the rest of the little huts and houses. It was not surprising to notice Hebrew boards outside little tea places for the area is a haven for Israelis. 

We passed the village and crossed the YHAI camps. The vista was quite something that I can equate to what I’ve seen in Switzerland.

Our camps- outside the village of Grahan. We made friends with the hotelier next field (like next door) who was an amazing man. Their life and that of their people around them was unfathomable. To cite one of the reasons that awed me- the entire village did not have power for a month and a half because of a broken down transformer and none of them even consider this as any kind of bother.

Day Two (Grahan (7700 ft) to Min Thach (11,150 ft)):

The steep hikes began from the minute we started. The forests were adorned by alpine trees yet they were cold. The odd shower also intensified the coldness. Here is one of our friends getting down on all fours to climb up a steep patch.

View from the Min Thatch camp. The sunset was memorable. I felt a definite bonding between the groups of people. There were happy faces every where; nice sunshine and a chill breeze. My friend and I ventured out late into the night and saw a million stars, a sight that stupefied me. 

Day Three (Min Thach (11,150 ft) to Nagaru (13,200 ft)):

A few people hired porters and it was a humbling sight to see them, old yet fit and strong, always ahead of us, the “young” city-bred people. They were exceptional throughout the length of the trek.

View along the trek to Nagaru. Most of us would never forget the noodles and omelette that we got to eat at that altitude. Most of us ravenous and wanted more that what we had in our lunch boxes.

This was the camp site at Nagaru. This place is quite easily the most harshest environment we had come across in the trek. There were no trees or foliage of any sorts, just plain land and patches of snow covered by some lovely mountains. The view was breathtaking though.

That's me, on the phone- discussing about how stuff is at work; learnt that my team was functioning smoothly without me to boss around and my manager was taking off to Goa for the weekend.

The patch of snow below our camp site got a new covering after the one hour hailstorm. We began sliding down and as a result, wet my pant completely.

Day Four (Nagaru (13,200 ft) to Biskeri Thatch (12,500) through Sar Pass (13,800 ft)):

The morning, we climbed a very steep mountain. It took an hour of really tough climbing with both hands and legs. We were still shaken by the information from the cook that a little bear had strayed into our camp the previous night.

The first bunch that wanted to get across the pass.

This and a few other succeeding shots will always stay as one of the most interesting shots I've ever taken. The sheer combination of both green and white at such a close proximity is quite a strange phenomenon. The hike through the pass was tiring and literally, scary in patches.

After the 1 km slide down a snow covered hill, one'd reach a vast area of wilderness with a brilliant backdrop of snow capped mountains. The clouds were a special appearance in the already star studded display.

View of our camp tents at Biskeri Thatch. The evening was quite relaxing, especially after the incredibly tough phase of trek and a carefree kilometer long slide down the hill.

View outside the tent at Biskeri.

When a flock of sheep decided to conquer us.

The show they put up.

Day Four (Biskeri Thatch (12,500) to Barshaini (7250 ft)):

With renewed energy, the gang beginning the descend. Ahead is the Tosh valley comprising of the villages of Tosh, Barshaini and Pulga. The grasslands were a treat to our eyes, felt like a huge park with a well tended carpet.

As we descended and the mist cleared off, the Tosh valley came into view, sharper and prettier than ever.

We stopped here for lunch. The beauty of this place amazed me for everything looked like they were right out of a fairy tale; pretty, appropriate and magically colorful.

The gala night at the base camp when I was fast asleep; the words came out well in spite of the alcohol.

I could not believe it when the guide and the trek group's partners were telling us that the bond formed over the period of the 7-9 days would be strong and last for a long time. But days and months later, when I see people hanging out together, still keeping in touch, I realised it.

People did bond, and they did strongly over the 9 days we had spend amongst the pristine hills. Each came looking for their own in the travel, some for peace, some for inspiration and some for the sheer pleasure of being in the midst of nature.