CLIMONK - India's climbing portal

CLIMONK - India's climbing portal

Rock Climbing Festival 2011

Mt.Stok Kangri Expedition

The idea and the preparation:-

I have been always fascinated by mountains and it was my dream to climb a Himalayan mountain since I was a small kid.So when this e mail came from Sunand , the CMD of IQuest ( a Bangalore based adventure sports company)I decided to go for it.I did as much research on Mt. Stok kangri as I could and realized the fact that I am not fit enough physically to try it out.But I was determined and so I along with my friend santosh started training for it. We trained separately at our gyms and always updated about our developments.just one months before the expedition we increased our intake of fluids mainly water as it carries oxygen.Up there , anything above 5000mts, oxygen is what we lack the most as air is very thin.We also bought a few of the gears we would be needing for this expedition.

bangalore to Leh:-

So on the morning of ....... we set out for our expedition.We took a flight to Delhi.The heat of Delhi was harsh and painful.I remember taking off my shirt in the bus to Manali.there was noting much of relevance to write down in this journey till we reached Kulu, a small town near Manali.We reached Manali in the morning. it was very refreshing.Our friend Rajendra had already made arrangements for a nice hotel on top of a hill in the out skirts of manali.The hotel had a beutiful view from the balcony. we took rest the rest of the day and went for some shopping in the evening.We soon came to know that the journey from manali to Leh would be the worst and most physically challenging ever. I decided to take it day by day and not think much ahead. I do that mostly in my daily life anyway so it was not tough. The rest of the team members were tired thinking about it while I was enjoying Manali.After all its not every day that you get to spend time in such a beautiful place is considered to be had our bus ready to go to Leh which is some 500Kms away from Manali.Manali - Leh highway is considered to be one of the most unpredictable and dangerous highways in the world.It boasts of some of the highest motorable passes in the world and not to mention freezing cold.Infact half of the year this highway is closed and its only through air that Leh is connected to rest of India.The journey , as expected, was one of the most gruesome I have ever underwent.As we gained altitude different symptoms of attitude sickness started hitting the team hard.At one point of the journey, somewhere 300 KMs away from Leh, there was a huge traffic jam. We soon came to know that there was a truck (carrying kerosene )that laid across the road stopping anything from crossing. We waited for 7hours in the freezing cold before some army recovery vans came and made way for us.That night we decided to spend in one of the army transit camps.Almost ale hl my team members were sick in some way or other. Most of them having severe headache,nausea,fever,body pain etc.I have to admit , I really had second thoughts about the sucess of the expedition.But next morning brought all of the most needed hope.The same valley which looked so unforgiving the previous night looked mesmerizing in the morning.Words cant describe the beauty I witnessed that moment.We were surprisingly up and looking forward to reaching Leh.I am something to do with the depreciation in altitude.By aftenoon we were welcomed by the huge dragon gates of Leh. It was a strange town with people from all parts of the world.It was a very colourful congregation ofe different people and cultures.After a brief rest and a diet lunch and a much needed shower we set out to for a site seeing of the tiny yet vibrat town.We realized that we all were having problem breathing.Later we were told that since Leh is very high the oxygen levels were considerably low. Thus it was an indication that we need to acclamatize and that too pretty soon.Ignoring all discomforts we went around the town doing some eleventh hour shopping for some mountain gears. We also managed to hire some mountain gear like snow boots, crampons,ice axe,ropes etc.After a good night sleep we set out for our trek to Mt. Stok Kangri base camp.

Day 1:Spituk- Zingchen (4-5 hrs)

We started our trek from Spituk along an old jeep road into a parched and exposed region. After a few hours of walking, we entered the lush Zingchen Valley where the Rumbak river flows into the mighty Indus which makes it way down a mighty canyon. Further into the valley lied our campsite, in the two-house hamlet of Zingchen (meaning ‘big field’).One of our team member Manjunath felt really sick and had to be evacuated to Leh.The altitude got better of him I guess. That evening we all were pretty sad.After a brief meeting and dinner we all cuddled in our sleeping bags, our bed cum blanket for the next 10 days tents being our mobile house.


Day 2: Zingchen to Rumbak (4-5 hours)

Next day without much delay we started for camp 2(Rumbak).After a short walk we enter Hemis National Park, home to some of the rare Himalayan wildlife such as Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, Ladakhi Urial (a type of goat), great Tibetan sheep (Arghali), red fox, Tibetan wolf, wild dog (dhole), Lynx, marmot and mountain hare. The trail follows the Rumbak stream ascending gradually towards the village of Rumbak. Just before reaching our campsite at Rumbak (4000m), we stoped at a teahouse run by women from the village. Rumbak is known as a place to see and do research on the magnificent Himalayan snow leopard.

Day 3: Rumbak to Mankarmo via Stok La (5 –6 hrs)

The trail up to the base of Stok La 4900 m starts fairly gradual but becomes steeper as we approach the pass. From the pass, we descend along the mountainside up and down until we reach some stone houses, use by the Stok villagers for summer pasture. Our campsite at Mankarmo (4200m) is also a first camp for the Stok Kangri approach. The rest of the day will be spent viewing the magnificent Stok Kangri.


Day 5: Mankarmo – Base camp 5000 m (3-4 hours)

We will gradually climb higher into a desolate wasteland, inhabited only by hardy marmots, blue sheep and their predators: wolf and snow leopard. At an altitude of 5000m, we will prepare ourselves for the high camp, and summit.The Base camp was a weird little place with climbers and mountaineering enthusiast from all over the world have set up their respective camp.There were teams from Germany, the UK, the USA,Switzerland,Austria. We were the among the two teams from India.There was a team from Poona.It was a great atmosphere out there.We congratulated each other on reaching the base camp safe and in one piece.For most of us it was already a feat we have achieved.We were scheduled to acclimatize in base camp for two days before we climb the summit.We spent these two days checking our gears , meeting more climbers and making short treks around the base camp.Not to mention it was freezing cold but due to some reason we were getting used to the climate.Without much delay we went to sleep.Well, one sleeping bag was not enough for many.

Day 7: Preparation for summit @ Base Camp (7-8 hours)

Next morning it was a different place we were in all together. It was all white with snow.Even the drinking water was frozen.This was a day to load our body with food and fluids. We also had some training sessions in the morning to keep our bodies in top fitness levels.We were to follow strict schedules for eating, drinking fluids and resting.We went to bed early in the afternoon to get some rest before we start our assent at midnight.Its when the sky is clearer, it is coldest and the snow is more firm to walk on. We will take only a lunch bag and a cup of tea with us as we walk into the welcoming night, the trail lit only by our torches.

Day 8:Summit attempt to Mt.Stok Kangri

Every thing worked according to the schedule. We started well and reached the glacier zone. Trouble started then, we realized that we were far behind schedule and most of the team members are not ready to go ahead.After a brief team meeting we decided that only five of us including the mountain guide would attempt the summit. The rest were advised to return to base camp.It was a tough call but every one had to comply.I looked around,it was around 4:30 AM, the sun was just rising. Within a few minutes everything around me , the skies, the mountain and the clouds turned red. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen in my life. My hands were painfully frozen so I could not take out my camera and capture it.Well I captured it in my mind though..forever.

The path on the glacier was very difficult.We had to fix up crampons below our shoes to walk on snow.It was a long climb, very long.As we went up higher and higher, the oxygen levels were dropping. And the first body part to be affected was our brain.I myself was hallucinating temporarily. It was by far the most painful day of my life.After climbing for almost 5 hours in glacier with a gradient of more than 80 degrees, we finally reached the ridge.We decided to rest for a few minutes and then walk on the ridge to reach the summit.Walking on the ridge was a different challenge. There was heavy wind blowing over us , the rocks were sharp and loose , one wrong step and anyone of us could have fallen thousand of meters below.We were extra careful and tied each other in a line.After another 2 hours of exhausting climb we reached the summit(6123m).It was a magnificent view of the Himalayaas from the top , worthy of all the pain we took on the way.We could even see the mighty K2 in the Karakoram Range(in Pakistan). We took snaps of individuals and in groups.To foster good fortune, we offered our prayers.

We were not allowed to be on top but guess we were already too late. The snow had indeed melted a lot and it was again a daunting task to climb down.I believe , the only factor on our favor was the feeling that we had summited successfully.After another 5 hours of climb crossing over dangerous crevasses and frozen lakes we finally reached the base camp.To our surprise the whole of base camp welcomed us like a hero.We shook hands with other teams and also told our story to the climbers who were yet to attempt this magnificent feat.We had a grand party, well my highest party, to celebrate the success.

Day 8: Base camp – Stok (4-5 hours)

Next morning when we open your eyes,we realized that we had indeed scaled a peak higher than any mountain in Europe! After breakfast we walk down to Stok village where a jeep took us back to Leh.

This trip had indeed changed me a lot as said by one of my friend.Besides many other lessons of life, it taught me one very important thing - WITH PAIN COMES STRENGTH.

Shit happens!!!!!!!!

It did not quite work out the way i wanted. But I am happy I told her everything.Expressed my feelings .Rest was anyway up to her. I tried my best and I have no regrets. No one would have done more.There is a thin line between getting rid of ego and loosing self respect.I was almost on the verge of loosing my self respect.I felt bad for a few days, was disappointed, and why not??...I have worked hard for it for a few months...But shit happens!!! Cant help it. One should respect others feelings and "No feelings". I do. So this is all I am going to write about this matter. Kind of "chapter close".I seriously now do not want "ek hi pyar apne zindagi me bar bar aya"...

Lot of other things going in my life....My new painting which is getting a great shape. Thanks to take 2. Never did a take 2 for any painting..First time. take 1 was a failure not so much because of me because I mixed old poster colour with new acrylic colours...The paper tore due to reaction with colour.Another instance of "shit happens!!!!!".But past is past. The present is beautiful with my new painting is stage 2(base colour).taking it slow. Guess wat I named my painting "Princess"....Indeed so as this one is for a princess:-)


My bird and me , we both, met an accident. Not so major one but still was enough to peal some skin off my palms. It still hurts as I type.Bird needed to be serviced. Realized that there is some problem with bore kit in engine. If they don get it done for free(its under warranty), I will loose quite a fortune.The worse is that i am without my bird now for almost a week.Miss it badly.

My trip to Ladakh looks like a reality now. Leave approved, air tickets to delhi booked. Just need to do some shopping.Need to work hard on fitness, strength building exercises and mental preparation. I do not want my cough to spoil my summit accent. A lot of Proteins, vitamins,fibres, fluids and ayurvedic stuff going inside my body.Hope they make me stronger,healthier and more good looking.My intake of alcohol is also reduced drastically. I hardly drink any these days.So is my smoking to some extent.hope It will be a good trip.I need one for reorganizing my self and getting the much needed self confidence.

Thats what i feel right now!!!!!!!!

Today, suddenly I was questioning the reason of my very existence.What am I doing sitting in front of my laptop during"office hours"...Absolutely nothing.I have to change things before it gets out of hand.I feel the need now..the need for a change.This time I want to call my terms.I am preparing for it, hope all the preparations help in time.

A call from my ex in the morning ruined my mood for some time...buts its OK...it has been always that way..nothing new.She always calls me when she needs some help...or she has done some thing wrong....and she needs to justify her actions(even though she knows that she is wrong)...I am least bothered...I was not even supposed to spoil my mood also...She is just a PAST...This is what I have become.Least bothered about unnamed relationships.I have wonderful friends...and definitely I love hem all so much.

Tonight I fly to Pooona....george,otto,jupi....and hopefully Ipshi to meet up.Do not want to write here a few things which I have felt for the last few days..not a right forum..I mean I keep on thinking no one reads it...but I am sure some day this will all be read..

This is time now....if not now its never...all i need is to express my feelings....I am ready for any consequence...Atleast its not my weakness...whatever it is, I need to be brave, speak it out in right fashion and get things out of my heart...If things are meant to be it will , else , I will think that I have tried my best...gave chances...yet it just did not work..not meant to be...wish me luck more than anything else....tats the only thing tat I do not possess...:-)

Abide in hope

Together we are colorful

Emotions

One of my friend says that to achieve something one should not be emotional about it.It may be true , as it fetches early success.Its like press that OFF button of your heart and just focus on the job.It may work for many, but sorry to say that I am not like many. It surprisingly never works for me.If I like something or someone I knowingly or unknowingly become emotional about it.Its strange....Its difficult....but i cannot help...May be I should just follow my heart..May be I should just follow the rule:The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen!!!

ALICE.....

Waiting...

I always hate waiting...waiting for anything may it be for bus,train,hospitals,some occurrence.But at this point of my life I am forced to wait for something of which the outcome is as clear as a misty winter morning of some hill station.Not sure what is ahead.This is something which have never happened before to me.Only thing that drives me is HOPE.Hope that I am honest to myself.Hope that I am not heading for some disaster.Because this time if I screw up...I screw up big time.I know like all other things destiny holds the key of all the questions.But even to know the answers, I need to make my moves.Moves which are not only difficult but also painful and unlike ME.All I need is a little bit of strength .(I am not even asking for any help).I know no one is reading this and thats how I want it to be.

Soul Mates

This creation of mine was inspired by someone who never believed in "Soul Mates"....I BELIEVE IN SOUL MATES....may be its my fantasy....may be its my dream that some day I will meet my soul mate....Whatever it is this painting is my attempt to make the source of inspiration to start believing in soul mates....because that "someone" is little bit more than "very special" to me.

Is there any meaning of all this....

Typical working day... send some mails to my colleagues..do that...do this...have u done it?..these are things I am not paid for..."Role based lead"... then my own work...server connectivity issues,Trio meetings,etc etc...Is there any meaning for all these? I do it well.From outside I may look like an expert.But I got no passion for this work I do.Absolutely no passion.Don't we hear often that we should do what we like to do? Then am I doing nothing? Am I the only one ? Does it really matter at all? I seriously get all negative answers for these questions.Something is wrong somewhere.I need to fix it.And I guess time is running short.And I am becoming increasingly weak.What is that I want to achieve ? I do not know it even now. That is a serious issue.I guess guys of my age know it. Haven't I done all the right things. Proved myself time and again.Then why am I not satisfied and contended

I need strength , I do not know where to get it from , but I have to grow up..I need to wake up.

Best Dreams

I believe every individual has a song of his or her own...A song which describes him or her...It feels like the singer has sung that song only for him or her..Its like a possession he or she has...Which can be appreciated time and again...which can be gifted to someone special...The other night I was on a mission to find my song..I searched in various websites , listened to some 30 odd songs from renowned as well as coming up artists .Finally I got this song.."Best Dreams" by Michael Rossback.The moment I heard it I knew this is the one...The one for me..

As kids we often think tht our lives will always be smooth...we will do well with our studies, job,we will find our love and everything will be happy....bed of roses...For a few it works out...things seems to fall in place always...They always have what they want...But I guess for many of "us" life is not a bed of roses...No way....We are like a leaf that falls on the stream...it gets hit by the rocks as the stream flows...sometimes the leaf get stuck with a larger rock...and then again the journey continues...Most of us lke that leaf...We get stuck and think that this is our world...and then something happens and we are asked to move on...and nothing stops..no one stops...

We have people around us giving advise, they tell us wat to do..what not to do..but the fact is that they never care much...because they have their own lives...and everyone has their own world..their own streams to flow with...but the silver lining is that...time will teach us all ..time heals everything.. and we always get along...time tells who we actually are...Whom we actually belong to..where we actually destined to be...

I am not so good with writing as I am with expressing things..This song tells very clearly everything...

http://www.ourstage.com/profile/michaelrossback
Song: Best Dreams

Lyrics( I wrote it down myself....few words may be missing..but then its fine:-) )

The world won't stop for u
Give you your space.
it just rools away ..to leave u with yesterday
girls are out for u but you know they are fake..
beacause u r just a name
you have given your heart in them.

chorus

{
but times find a way to show who u are
and u will come along and seeing your heart sing
dream ur best dreams
give love a way
live ur tommorrow today..... }

the crowd wont applaud u
make huss for u
n tell u , u r great
and spread all ur fame
because u r just a name
top will nevre do
its sad but true
at the end of the day they never stop......

chorus

count the star and breath some air
caress the lips that leave her there
when u love u someone ..more than anyone...

u live ur best dream
u find ur heart sing
give love away
live ur tom today.....

I do not like this.........

I never faced this way...Coming to work on Monday morning and feeling real dull.But things are real bad these days.I am asked to do activities which are monotonous and require no use of brain.Its like writing impositions in school.I used to hate doing it.(I mean every hates to do) But its the repeatability part which I hate .I am not definitely happy with my work.I do not know how long will I continue with this kind of work.I know I will reach a stage soon when I will say it quit.No matter what happens...Just leave it.Life on personal front was never very cool. Its worse now. Do not know what is right. What is wrong? I feel I am doing right.I feel its good for all.I feel it has a happy ending. But clapping never happens with one hand. At the moment I am the "one hand" trying to reach for the other hand, which seems to be quite far... I chose it nevertheless.I asked for it. And I am not going to give up.If time is the only problem. I will give it some time.But I am not going to give up fast. I am not going to let go this time.I want this badly...this badly. And someone told if you want something this bad , you will get it. Its matter of how much I want this to happen. It is a commitment for life.I know the dangers, I know the hurdles.The deadliest of all is to break my heart which got fixed very recently. But I chose this path.Strength to strength...trust to trust...