Back in One piece!

Well it was not that dangerous really, but there were moments for sure.First the drive from Manali to Keylong, the road was in a pretty bad shape , it was quite slippery as well, cause of the rain.

Then the drive from Keylong to Leh, when climbing the magnificent Gata Loops, it did feel a bit uneasy, that was the first real experience with altitude.

Leh was easy though, you feel breathless while walking on a flat piece of road, but then you kind of aspect it, and when you stop you tend to relax quickly, just a minor hiccup.

Drive through Khardung la was no big deal, no real altitude sickness feeling

While returning through Khardungla, getting stuck in snow and the subsequent trudge to the top,there was a slight concern for frostbite.

Then the trek, first night inside tent, I found it quite suffocating, It was around 2 AM in the morning, couldn't sleep, couldn't get out, cause it was really cold outside, I was thinking, how am I gonna spend 5 more nights in a tent ? Two people in a single tent was kind of crampy and am claustrophobic any way. I kept talking to myself about finding a solution, the solution was to sleep in reverse. Head of one to the toe of other, that just frees a little more space near your face. And work it did, slept pretty well after that.

This is one aspect of trekking,that stands out. Out there, you have to accept things the way they are and adjust, you don't have any other choice, Overcome all that nature and your own personality throws at you for the greater goal of making it to the end.

The last real scare came while climbing the top of Kongmarula, when climbing the last strech, it started to snow ,turned to hail, with thunder and wind. I was scared as scared as ever in my life, but never thought of turning back. There was the altitude and th fear of lightening as well, we were approaching 5300ms and I have never exerted myself at that altitude.

Thats the fun though, being where you have never been. In a way looking at life and asking what else you have got? felt that way. Standing on top of the pass I was sure of myself, sure as I have never been before. Its an amazing feeling to have the trust in yourself, in your spirit, in your body, it makes you very calm.

At the end of it all, you just say "It was walk in the park really". Well there is great deal more respect for nature now as much as for yourself. The other thing that got me excited was , I can be back here, my body reacted pretty well to the altitude, Some other day, some other peak, some other adventure !

Will update day be day itinerary as and when I find time to go through my diary and the voice recordings.