Kauri Pass famously known as Lord Curzon's trial - Ridge Walk remains the highlight

I love reading stories. Stories inspire and always bring out a new perspective. I recently did a trek with a Bangalore-based company that is into organizing Himalayan treks. It was my friend Abhijeet who selected this trek, but I gave a thumbs-up since I had never been to a pass. I have climbed many mountains but crossing a pass right through the mountains was going to be an experience. Historians say that Lord Curzon along with his daughter and a local from Uttarakhand explored this trek. They walked, camped for 6-7 days before documenting the route. Kuvari is a Hindi word when a girl is unmarried. Since Curzon's daughter was unmarried when the route exploration was completed, the locals called it Kauri Pass.

I always love planning meticulously. I did this trek with my friends Abhijeet and Dnyanand along with 15 new people whom I met during the trek. Train travel can be interesting as it gives a huge window when one can talk and talk over rounds of tea. It brings people close in an otherwise virtual world when we are all connected, just for the sake of it. We have so many things to learn and unlearn which unfold when we travel. We traveled from Panvel to Haridwar & our first technical night halt was at Rishikesh. Live Hostel, Rishikesh is a place to hang out and stay when in Rishikesh. The place has amazing vibes and I met many trekkers who had just returned from Har ki Dun, Kauri Pass, and exchange views. I also interacted with people from many blue-chip companies who were working from Hostel during office hours and exploring Rishikesh during the evening hours and on weekends. Well, Corona does give opportunities to people who love exploring cities and do things differently. We explored Rishikesh city on foot and witness the majestic Ganges. 

Rishikesh to Tapovan is a long tiring journey that takes 8-9 hours before you reach the base camp. We had a briefing session with Sanket who was the trek leader. He explained the dos and don'ts. For the next 4 days, we were trekking in snow-clad mountains. I felt the ascent was normal. What attitude you bring in is what matters the most. You play to your strengths and go slow when tacking the weakness. I will let the pictures speak for themselves before I get into the section about the Ridged walk.

One can get a nostalgic feeling if he is just climbing snow mountains. Our brains always crave something different. I felt the long ridge walk on the day of Summit to Kauri Pass was the highlight of the trek. Nature is beautiful but one has to have an eye to read and enjoy its different aspects. I think that is where trek leaders play a pivotal role. We had Mr. Anil (We call him Bagdadi for the beard he kept), who showed us good photo stops. 

Nandadevi Peak seen from a frozen Lake Tali is like a crowning glory. Sunrise and Sunset are best seen when it comes to viewing the alpine glow. We were lucky to watch it after a tiring day which took away the pain of walking for long hours. After the 4 km ridge walk, I felt this was an important highpoint of the trek. Staying in tents can be difficult when the temperature is -13. I barely slept for 2 nights & remember watching 14 peaks on Netflix just to kill nighttime. I remember a fox approaching closer by and howling. I got scared and threw an apple which I was carrying out of the tent. For a second I felt the apple smell might attract the fox towards me. Later on the next day, Anil told me that it is their area and we had encroached on it by installing tents. 

The summit always gives a sense of achievement. The long climb and difficulties faced are seen to be small when compared to the happiness one gets. It also gives the joy of leaving behind the herd who have limited the definition of happiness to endless partying, social drinking & trying to somehow remain in the limelight when it comes to social media. Health is Wealth & that's what every Himalayan summit makes me realize. Money can't buy certain things in life, it just can't. Also, hiking in Sahyadri's ranges is different than trekking in Himalayas for the sheer altitude difference.

 

We visited Auli, Haridwar during our return. Auli is beautiful (I mean it after visiting many overhyped hill stations) and it has those snow-making machines and guns which generate artificial snow. Ganga Aarti is all about getting the right spiritual vibrations and connecting to our roots. The atmosphere is positive and thanks to the Modi government for the cleanliness which is vividly seen. We took a brief stopover at Ranthambore and visited the majestic fort and took a jungle safari. It was my first Jungle Safari in India and it was quite a good experience. 

Ben Franklin said most men die at the age of 25 and aren't buried until they are 75. The Himalayas always encourage one to do things outside the box, come out of the comfort zone, and bring in a new perspective. I thank the mountains who had been grateful by giving us a window which helped us in summitting. I would also express my gratitude to my wife Purva and my parents. This trek and overall adventure would not have been so great without the company of Dnyanand, Abhijeet, Ajay, Smriti & Falguni who were my co trekkers. Special thanks to Sanket, Sandip, and Anil! We had a great time travelling back on August Kranti Rajdhani Express from Sawai Madhopur to Mumbai, which concluded the trek come trip.