Continuing from Shrikins' blog, Preparing for the Sandakphu Trekking Expedition: A Journey of Adventure and Discovery - 3

 Continuing from Shrikins' blog, Preparing for the Sandakphu Trekking Expedition: A Journey of Adventure and Discovery - 3.

Once more, we bid farewell to Tanglu. After a 2-kilometer walk, our journey resumed on familiar pony roads with open spaces, featuring gentle inclines and declines. Two kilometers in, we enjoyed the scenic view of Tanglu before arriving at Tumling. Compared to Tanglu, Tumling was a bit more crowded, with several hotels. Staying in Tumling was undoubtedly more comfortable than Tanglu, and as they say, "you can enjoy even in hell" when you're with your best friends. We took a moment to relax and relish the beauty of Tumling before embarking on the next leg of our journey towards Garibas.

The path to Garibas led us through a splendid rhododendron forest. The arboreum flowers were in full bloom, creating a heavenly atmosphere. The fresh air and the vibrant colors of the rhododendron arboreum flowers, scattered along the road, seemed to welcome us with open arms, boosting our enthusiasm. As we trekked along the rugged path, we encountered hikers from different countries, and among them, we met a group from Kalimpong. Kalimpong, a district in West Bengal, India, is renowned for its tourist attractions. Our group grew to 14 members as we introduced ourselves and shared the common goal of reaching Sandakphu, approximately 21 kilometers from Tanglu. Remarkably, we managed to reach it on the same day.

My brother Roshan and I decided to pick up the pace and found ourselves moving about 1 kilometer faster than the other trekkers. We now walked on an empty road, surrounded by the captivating beauty of nature. As we continued, we began sharing our own love stories, even though we were both married. She narrated her story from the beginning, and I listened attentively during our 5-kilometer journey. In between, I intertwined my own story when we found similar incidents.

In the area of Garebas, we completed this exchange of personal experiences, both the good and the bad, all while immersing ourselves in the wonders of nature. Our journey led us to Kalpokhari, where we decided to wait for the rest of the team.

Kalpokhari, derived from the Nepali words "kala" meaning "black" and "pokhari" meaning "lake," was an unusual high-altitude natural lake. The lake's dark appearance, resembling the effect of black color, was not due to pollution. The entire lake was pristine and free of litter. Its blackish appearance resulted from the muddy lakebed and its considerable depth, creating the illusion of black water. The exotic Kalapokhari lake held religious significance and was worshipped by both Hindu and Buddhist devotees. Legends and folklores abounded, with locals believing it to be the abode of the fierce black snake, 'Kalanag.' A small settlement had emerged nearby, serving as a major stopover for trekkers.

After about 45 minutes, our team arrived, fully prepared to continue. Despite having rested, we were determined to reach Sandakphu on the same day. The terrain presented many peaks, with each one conquered leading to the discovery of 2-3 more peaks ahead. At times, we believed we had reached the final peak, only to find another one looming before us. The situation grew more precarious as we ran out of water and food, left with only a bottle of whiskey and brandy. As a regular viewer of "Man vs. Wild," I had limited knowledge of finding water in a dense forest. Nonetheless, I decided to venture into the forest in search of water, taking a water bottle and leaving my bag with Roshan Da.

Entering the dense forest, I grappled with numerous fears: the possibility of encountering wild animals, the uncertainty of my safety, and concerns about my family if something were to happen to me. The solitude in the thick jungle was genuinely frightening, especially without any knowledge of jungle survival. I had informed Roshan that if I didn't return by the time our team reached our location, he should attempt to find me. His face bore a mix of concern and love as I disappeared into the dense forest.

Half a kilometer into the forest, I stumbled upon a small water source. Employing techniques learned from Bear Grylls, I managed to collect an entire water bottle's worth within 15 to 20 minutes. Although the water wasn't clean, it was sufficient for our survival. Triumphantly, I retraced my steps and found Roshan waiting where I had entered the forest. His face radiated relief as we shared the water and kept half the bottle for the journey ahead. We then reunited with our team, who had finished the remaining water. Despite the challenges, we continued onward, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

To be continued in the next installment of our adventure...