Warrior

This is a story of man, happy as he can be

Lived all his life, life without fear and sanity

People called his name with respect,

For that is all what he want to be,

Stare at his eyes as he watches the mirror in front of him

No one raised a voice, and nether did he

Answers to none, but an open book to read

Loved by all, feared by some, but always friendly

Time passed, now he lives at a bottom of the tree

For that is the life everyone chose for him

He helplessly looks up to see

Where every where is this supremacy

Dare not he raise his voice,

He needs that shadow of the tree

For it provides him with love, bread and full pocket to spend leisurely

Loved by all, feared by none, still friendly

Emotions run high, inside of him

He just needs someone to understand him

Always showing how he feels,

Not in words, his words come out differently

Drinking his emotion,

How long till it gets full

What can then he be, a monster or an stinging bee

Loved by some, feared by none, little friendly

Soon enough he will leave the safety of that tree

And live alone, happy as he can be

Look again, in the eye of the man standing in his mirror

And say what he wants to say

Be what he wants to be

Loved by some, feared by none, so unfriendly

War within !!

It is said, “Be kind to your enemies”

Best judge of a man`s character

How he forgives before he forgets

Walks away with a head held high

Something inside that eats up his mind

Forgetting now takes more and more of his time

The wicked enemy laughs at his back

After all his escape was painless and satisfying

For he says in his mind, “The battle was won”

He still has the mettle to stare into his eyes

For the man has done nothing to claim his prize

Restless nights, spent searching for non-existing peace

Why this shrinking feeling, the room is so dark

His blades are getting corroded; his mind is not at ease

Lives spend in integrity, spend like a lifeless beast

Do me once, I am at shame, do me twice, you are dead.

Where is that something new !!

There is nothing new that would change

There are something old that forever remain

The eyes feel the blue sorrow of the falling bird

Wings of fire and going down to the earth

Catch the breeze that shift your balance

Hold on to the armor that keep you fighting

As crazy as he seems, he is still a man

Fighting with vengeance and laying down his life with his own hands

Can I tell him this freedom is all gone in vain ?

There he lies still on the hot summer rock and the memories remain

Dear Mr. Conscious me, stop yelling and fighting me

This is the life chosen and will be lived with glee

Keep showing me the desire path where I’ll walk free

To the light where I cannot see the fears within me

I am a sinner, my mind wanders off too many places

Thinking of things that make up a midnight`s dream

Mesmerized by the sudden change of fire in the heart

I wander in those dreams: numb, confused and so mundane.

Where is the something new ??

The 10,000 ft Climb - Nag Tibba

Day 1 

Reached the Dehradun railway station early in the morning. The weather was not as cold as some have expected. Delhi has been rather chilly this winter. It was a beautiful sunny day. We changed to something more comfortable as the trek was to start from today itself. The plan was to take a taxi from the Dehradun railway station and from there go to a place called Pathwari, which would be our starting point of the trek. It took us nearly one and half hours to reach Pathwari. It was a small village hidden among the shadow of the tall mountains of the Himalayan range. Now that all our food and water supplies were loaded onto the mules, we were ready to move. Loaded our backpacks onto our back and started moving. The first half an hour of the trek was tiring perhaps because the body didn’t adjust with the altitude right away, but as soon as that body did its adjustment senses became more aware of the surroundings around us. Imagine walking on a road at the heart of the valley of the mountain on a clear sunny morning. All that can be heard was the sound of a small stream of water flowing at the base of the valley, small birds trying to make their presence felt and sometimes Monkeys screaming for attention. We took time to complete this 8 KM trek as to not miss any serenity that was presented to us. After three and half hours of walking we reached our first Pit stop for the day. This village called Thatyur. The Chief of the village immediately came to greet us and welcomed us to stay at their houses for the night. When our trek leader suggested that we would love to stay out in the open as we brought our own tents. The chief was also kind enough to show us a way to flat land, not so far away from the village, surrounded by mountains rising to a level of 10000ft.The place was everything we hoped for. Surrounded by forest of Deodar trees .These Mountains look magical enough to possess you to stay forever. Sun was going to sleep when we arrived at our camping spot.

 We were no professional in putting up tent so it took us time to get all the four tents up. Meanwhile everyone was keeping themselves busy by doing one thing or the other. Some tried their hands on cooking; some were getting the fire started and a few lazy ass , like me, were clicking pictures. Food was cooked, tents were up and fire was started within an hour. Now we had plenty of time to enjoy each other company and have a couple of drinks under the starry night. I remember the moon was half full and the sky was light up by the countless number of stars shining. We had an introduction round by the camp fire and our food soon followed. Stomach was full and body was tired - a bit. Soon half the group retreated to their tents. Our Guide, Vijender, seem to be in a mood to tell us stories or the ladies prompted the stories out of him, I’ll never know. Some were interesting but some were drifting all over the place due to the alcohol content in him. I remember him using the words “Padharo Ki Sachai” or “The Truth of the Mountains”. Can you believe that these people live in these mountains for generations cannot know about Medicines. They believe in the concept of good vs. evil, the righteous and what goes around comes around, so completely that their mind just doesn’t allow their body to get sick, unless they do something sacrilegious. That’s the truth they believe in these lovely valleys.  After enjoying some intriguing stories it was time to drift away in our dreams, if we aren’t already in it.

Day 2  

Got up around 5:00 am. It was said that we had to start climbing Nag Tibba as soon as the first light of sun hits the mountains. It was very dark when I got up and it also rained a bit the previous night. The atmosphere was chilly but few brave souls were already up and cooking breakfast for the rest of the gang. I remember that the sun was lazy enough not to come out before 7:00, but we all were ready to move. After a little bit of food in and sun shining bright we stated our trek. Eight of us and the guide, who promised us to take us by a shorter way to the top. Little we knew that the shorter path was going to be the most excruciating – and I didn’t even think that it was anywhere close to being short.

We started our ascent at 0730 hrs and within a few meters it started to rain. The soil became wet and didn’t provide much grip. The path which we took was so narrow that no two people can walk shoulder to shoulder. As demanding as the climb was, it presented us with beautiful small patches of open land where we took rest and watched the high rising mountain close by and the valley down within. Soon the sun showed mercy on us and it became a bright sunny day. We witnessed some breathtaking sites up the hill, the alone House, the carpet of snow, the vultures flying above us, the sweet energy bars. We didn’t carry much food with us neither we carried much water. All we had was this one liter bottles and we finished them half way up. To satisfy our thirst we ate the snow that was lying on the ground, it is considered to be pure form of water, nobody got sick eating the snow off the ground, so I’ll say that they are correct about the purity. We kept on going through the treacherous terrains walking where there was nowhere to put our next step. We were doing fine when we encountered the snowfall. It was not snowing heavily but this was a rare sight for people down here. Every step took some courage. We had to tell our minds that this pain we are feeling was alright. The only thing our mind didn’t believe was if we can make up to the top of the mountain. We had only managed to climb half of it so far and our body was giving up. When into three and half hours of our climb, we could see the highest peak of the lower Himalayas – Nag Tibba. It seemed so far away that we almost all of us agreed that this cannot be done. But after a few motivational speeches we all agreed to give ourselves a last push. 




We climbed and climbed and came to a stop at a place where to go any further we had to climb uphill at nearly 70 degrees through rooks and snow. We were running short on time as we expected to climb to the top around 12 or 12:30.  That would have given us plenty of time to make our descend. Even if we tried to climb, with our pace, we could’ve taken another 2 hours to get up there. When climbing unknown mountains covered with thick forest and there is known carnivorous animals living there, then the best practice is to retreat to a safe zone before the night falls. And from our previous night we knew that the time the suns hide behind the mountain is close to six in the evening. It was 1:10 already and we were staring at the steep climb ahead of us in disbelief. It was decided to take an hour break before we start our descend. The guide suggested that the climb we had in front of us will also take an hour. But that will mean no rest at the top and descent straight after reaching there. I decided to give it a go, doesn’t matter if it takes the very last ounce of my strength. Many a times I have regretted my decision to quit at the last time when with just a small effort I could have made it to the finishing line, not this time. I started running uphill through the rocks and the snow, kept telling myself not to give up, but every step took a heavy toll on the body. I can clearly feel the dropping level of oxygen in the air, every breath was a struggle, but I had to summon the peak without wasting much time. I was the only one going for the top, bad decision considering the altitude and the wildlife found at these hills. Soon I can hear people crying out my name to stop so that they can join. I was delighted that some have decided to follow. But with the head start I had taken it will take fifteen to twenty minutes. And I knew if I stopped I won’t be able to move anymore. Your adrenaline jumps up only for a while, I screamed to them to make it quick while I stayed on my climb, taking small steps and resting every ten steps. Twenty minutes passed and now I can see the horizon after a climb which could not be more than hundred meters, I knew for sure that I am not being followed as there were no one shouting out my name, though a few times I thought someone did call my name, but it was a very distant voice. Almost felt like it came from other mountain. I gathered all the strength I had to make these last few meters. I ran, I jumped, I crawled, I screamed to get there. And finally when I got there, all I saw was another climb, this time higher and steeper. My body was refusing to go forward. How can I be sure that after this climb, if I ever make it, there will be no more of these steep climbs. I sat there to think of my options. If I go back now I will kill myself for quitting and if I continue and this climb is not the end then depending on how much more to climb, I could waste precious time from the time it will take to descent. And wasting time from our time to descending can be critical when our life is in the hands of a not-so-experienced guide. 




It was already two in afternoon, the time I have set myself for making it to the top, and without much thinking I took a decision that I knew I’ll regret afterwards. I turned back and started my climb down the slope I came up from. Nearly two minutes in to my descent I saw someone coming up the same was I did. He was our guide. I was happy to see him because he was the only one who could tell me how far more to go to reach the top. And before I can throw my question at him he said this thing that sounded weird to me at first. He said,” Dekh aaye bhayia Nag Tibba”. Taking a breath I realized what he meant and immediately turned back and started my climb, this time with more determination than ever. Now I knew for sure that there is no more climb after this. I was running, at this moment I could feel no pain in my legs, no mind playing tricks on me, all I see was the top. I remembered the guide shouting for me to stop so he could join, but how can I stop. I was at the top. It is said that there is a full panoramic view of the Himalayan range that can be seen from the top. I won’t see it now; my tiredness will make my sight a little mundane. And I wanted to feel nothing when I feel the serene beauty of it all. I lay there on the top of the mountain with my arms wide stretched. Few vultures circled above me looking for their potential meal. But I was not dead, I was far from dead, I was ALIVE. I stood up to see our guide. He went straight to the edge of the top and stated praying. I stood up to join and asked who are we offering this prayer for. He pointed at a mountain next to our where there was a small temple. He said that’s the temple of Shiva and the mountain I am pointing at is Nag Tibba. I still can’t remember why I was not angry at him for bringing us to the wrong mountain but the beauty around me was completely spellbinding. I was lost of word; there was no anger inside me, all I felt was this peace and a feeling of relief. I slowly took a look around to see these mammoth mountains that were feeling shy of being so short. Vultures were flying below me. I was the bigger bird here. For all I know I could be the man standing at the highest point at this very time. I cherished every moment of it, taking in all that I can, when suddenly I looked at my watch. It was fifteen minutes past two. I should’ve been with my group taking our first step downhill right at this moment. I offered my prayers to Lord Shiva to make it a safe journey home for all and started my descend. This anger crept inside me for a moment for not bringing the camera. The descent was the hardest part. I was going fast because of the steep downhill slope. Sometimes it seemed that I would run out of land and fall straight 10000ft to the ground. Now the pain had crawled back to take control of the body and mind. I could feel every inch of my body hurting me with every step I take. After fifteen minutes of running downhill, which took me an hour to climb before, we could see the rest of the group, lying there basking in the sun, and some were fast asleep very close to the edge. I envy them. If only I could rest myself for a minute of two. Someone asked me how was the peak while I was having difficulty to breath; I nodded my head in affirmation. How could I tell them this was the wrong mountain we were climbing? How can I say that all this effort had gone in vain? Although I know now that this would have not made much difference because the wonderful people we have been trekking with. It is said that the beauty of the travel increases with the company you are travelling with. And it has been the best company anyone can ever hope for. Going downhill is not much of a problem if you choose the right path. We chose the path we came up from, making it excruciating for all of us. Everyone was so tired going down that there was complete silence in the group. All that can be heard, and only a few times, was people asking God to spare their life this time and promises not to ever try something like this ever again. We had not eaten since the morning; we finished our last drop of water about three hours ago. Feet were burning, back was aching and mouth was totally dry. Somehow we made it to the base camp at six in the evening. Everyone was tired to their core but there was a sense of disbelief in the air. “How did we manage that climb?” was the question we all asked ourselves. Everyone had that sense of establishment inside that they were feeling proud of. The ones who stayed behind took no time to prepare food for us, even some of the ladies who joined us on the trek helped, bravo to their courage. Food was served soon and everyone sat in one small tent, for four, eating and drinking and sharing the tales of the gargantuan mountain we just climbed. The body ache was gone completely

Day 3:

The suggested plan was to trek to a nearby guesthouse that was of the forest department. Everyone was up and ready to go .Mother nature sees the city guys in their tents and welcome us close to her with rain that went all night long. She had no reasons to stop now. Rain kept on pouring in the morning. Clothes were wet, backpacks were heavy but nothing compared to yesterdays ride. The guesthouse was beautifully located among trees that climb the sky, on the opposite mountain from where we started. It was a short trek to the guest house. Guest house had plenty of space to welcome the guest that came.

 

We dried ourselves from wherever we can get some heat from. We opened the remaining alcohol and all sat close to the fire place to enjoy. We shared interests; recommendations for the next trek came pouring in. Soon the dinner was served; we all sat in the dining hall to eat together. It was the spiciest food I have ever had. But it tasted good nevertheless. With our bellies full and mind satisfied, we moved to our room and bid goodbye to rest.

Day 4:

This was the day we had to say our goodbye to the beautiful place that gave us all the challenges we could think of and we survived. The places nearby the guesthouse were beautiful for clicking pictures. There were these Devador trees trying to touch the sky. All the land nearby were covered with these trees and in the middle of it all was a closed temple in the shape of a hut. It looked like it perfectly belonged there. Algae covered its outside surface like it covered the trunk of many trees there, making it green and joyfully colorful. With little sunshine filtering from the pseudo roof created by the trees, the hut looked more mesmerizing.  Morning was clear with bright sunshine. I just stood there looking at the beautiful trees and the mountain, with snow covered peak that covered us from all sides. Birds with their morning song.  Monkeys jumping with joy on the trees. So much peace and quite it was. Now I realized what will I`ll miss. Bags were packed and we started our last walk, together.