While I’ve completed few half marathons before, this was however my first practice HM run, and guess what?! I improved my PB by more than 4 minutes. Preparing for next month's Bengaluru Marathon and looking forward for it.
Highlights of this run:
First practice run which was more than a HM. Last week I had done a 20.5 kms run in 02:13:00
No stops at all in between, and this was very satisfying
For 16, 17 kms I could manage to keep a good pace, however I got little tired towards the end
These kind of runs will give a fair bit of an idea of what should be my pace in actual marathon races. Keeping this in mind, I will target anything of 02:06:00 i.e. a pace of 06:00 mins/km. 🤞
It was couple of months since I had joined my new company when I checked the holiday calendar to realize that the following month had a
week with 2 holidays. That triggered my mind with an urge to plan for a Himalayan
trek. Yes, the mountains started calling me again. With an intension to trek in
a state I haven’t trekked before, I decided to go to Jammu & Kashmir. With
no open slots for Kashmir Great Lakes trek, I decide to register for lesser
known Nafran Valley trek for 14Aug2022 date, even though it was waitlisted. After a week or two,
it was confirmed though. But the uncertainties didn't end there. Just few days
before the departure, I was informed that due to administrative permissions in
the region, Nafran Valley was closed for treks. So we were moved to a newly
explored trek, Bodpathri Lakes trek. It didn't matter much for me; a good trek
anywhere in the Himalayas was what I was looking for.
Srinagar city was the starting point of our trek and I
reached a day in advance. I had a pleasant Shikara ride in Dal Lake in the
evening along with my friends, Rashmi and Veena. Next morning on 14th August, I had an
unforgettable run around Dal lake. Serene lake surrounded by mountains, big
stretch of houseboats lit by sunrise was a scene to behold!
Day 1:
All the trek members assembled at the starting point where
the transport was ready to take us to our first camp site, Doodhpathri. After
couple of hours of drive we were greeted with a picturesque view of Doodhpatri area. Apparently
it's a tourist attraction and we saw good number of people enjoying the beauty. The rest of the day was filled with introductions, briefing from
group leader, Kanishq which included instructions like backpack loading, health
related, walking in a group all the time because of vast nature of meadows and
fog (please remember this point) and other do’s and don’ts.
PC: Srenik Jivavat
Day 2:
With an established routine of wake up tea at 6, breakfast
at 7 and trek ready at 8, we were all set for the excitement. For an hour or so
we walked through the pine woods in slight drizzle, and reached the Doodhpatri-Dishkal
gate after crossing a stream. A little further and we were welcomed by this beautiful
view of vast meadows and valleys, which became our constant company all through
the trek. We reached our next camp site, Dander meadow after comparatively an
easy day of trek.
PC: Aman Pandya
Day 3:
We started towards our next camp site Astaar valley through
vast grasslands. Something unique about these landscapes is the presence of boulder
sections; had great fun jumping and hoping across big boulders. So far all good.
But what followed next is something what we were not completely ready for, at
least mentally. The moment we all reached the important section of the trek i.e.
a river crossing, it started pouring. In no time, the ponchos were out and with
our shoes in hand or around the neck, we started wading through the river. Cold
waters numbing our feet, occasional sharp stones pricking our bare feet and no
respite from rain made it the most adrenaline pumping moment of our trek,
without a question. The camp site was only few minutes away from this river
crossing.
After couple of hours when rain stopped, we all decided to stroll further up to have a closer look of the nearby glacier.
PC: Aman Pandya
Day 4:
Day was full of boulder sections and streams, before
reaching our next camp, Gurwansar. After reaching we all decided to walk
further up to a nearby lake as we had ample time left. After spending some time
taking pictures and exploring the area, we start to head back to the tents.
But what followed next is something which has never happened to me in any of my
previous 6 Himalayan trek.
Well, the group decided to return with the two guides
leading from the front. We 7 of us i.e. Neerav, Shaily, Veena, Rashmi, Ayush, our
trek leader Kanishq and myself were lagging behind as we took extra time to
wrap up our photo session, but were still with the group. We were at the back busy
discussing this and that, confidently taking our path. We did keep track of
couple of other guys who were walking in front of us at a distance regularly,
but, but in no time thick fog covered the whole area suddenly, with only about
4-5 meters of visibility. We continued walking in the same direction for quite
sometime thinking we are on the right track. Guess what?! We weren’t
apparently. We tried to shout and call those guys and the guide. No luck. Poor visibility
and no response from them. WE WERE LOST!! Remember, during our day 1 briefing,
this is exactly what was mentioned by group leader: be together so we don’t get
lost in vastness & fog. That’s exactly what happened now.
We 7 of us tried hard to figure out our current location considering
direction of our onward path and sighting of other group’s tents on our way as
reference and etc. I was the one who could whistle the loudest amongst us. I whistled
every minute or so for quite some time to attract other 2 guides’ attention until
I went out of gas 😊 Fortunately none of us panicked, on the contrary
we were calm thinking through. Kanishq, our group leader and others even
thought of inventories we had at our disposal. I was wondering about the
possibility of putting up in a shepherd’s place overnight.
But after about 30-45 minutes, I guess, we heard shouts. We
immediately responded towards the direction it was coming from. Remember, the fog
was still dense and we argued a little as from which direction the shouts
were coming from. Eyes started playing tricks; few of us even started imagining
seeing our tents. It was serious but equally
funny. Finally, we were able to walk towards the shouts and meet the guide who
came back looking out for us. Quite a relief but we all agreed on something,
that it a great experience in itself.
When we went back to tents, we see our main guide safe-guarding
the Hakka noodles as others were demanding for second serving. Apparently, he
was strictly telling them they will not get second serving until we the 7 lost
ones will have it first. So nice of him to do that. All the frustration and little
anger towards him for not coming to look for us any sooner disappeared seeing
that.
We all sat there eating noodles and narrating the whole
story to others and had a nice laugh.
PC: Aman Pandya
Day 5:
This day we crossed few more ridges and meadows before dropping
our backpacks at a place. And headed towards Pamsarlake. It’s a big lake having
mountains all around. A beautiful place to sit peacefully & take few clicks.
Came back and started towards our next camp site, Durien crossing few more boulder
sections and meadows. The site was beautiful next to a stream.
Flock of sheep gave us company all through. I got a chance
to chase around sheep and catch one, and also – how can I forget – cut little wool
off a sheep, can’t say sheep shearing though 😝. Yes, the villagers were kind
enough to pass on the specially made scissors to few of us while they were busy
at it.
PC: Shrenik Jivavat
Day 6:
Headed towards Gadtar passing Bodhsar lake. We again placed
our bags at a point and walked towards the lake which was much more beautiful.
We walk past nearby small lakes and reached the camp site after a long walk. After
sometime, we had a wonderful time playing ‘Laggorri’. I must say the teams played
passionately and aggressively with a LOT of trash talk 😃
At night, most of us were up late star gazing and clicking some impressive pictures.
PC: Saumya Sangoi
Day 7:
Final day of our trek and we descended quite fast towards Tosamaidan.
We covered a lot of distance quickly passing by full lush meadows. Few of us
got this crazy idea of rolling down these slopes, like literally lying down and
roll. I too agreed and rolled which, I must say, I had never done before as far
as my memory goes. (Try it, it’s great fun 😝)
The transport was ready at Tosamaidaan to take us back to Srinagar.
We drove past some nice apple farms.
On reaching everyone dispersed after collecting their stashed
belongings and returning the rentals.
PC: Kriti Soni
We all however met again at night in a café
in Srinagar and enjoyed desserts before bidding goodbyes.
I must end this by saying I had a wonderful time trekking in
this new state of Jammu and Kashmir with some amazing people. Nice stories and
memories to cherish forever!
Srinagar was the starting point of my this year's trek and fortunately it coincided with the Independence Day week.
Our trekking group was supposed to start on 14Aug morning to higher camps from Srinagar and I didn't wanted to miss out on a wonderful opportunity to have a morning run around the famous Dal Lake. So I decided to head out from the hotel room in the wee hours of 14th and started running towards the Dal Lake.
I was aware of high security deployment in Srinagar city and all, but to my surprise defense departments had decided to have Independence day celebratory march around Dal Lake too. So I witnessed the defense security personals stopping the traffic and routing to other directions. Even few cyclists were requested to take a different route away from Dal Lake where the celebrations was held. However I wasn't stopped. Lucky me, I went on running around the lake during sunrise with the security personals every 15-20 steps along the stretch. I felt I was being escorted like the Prime Minister or a President 😜.
On my way back, I stopped in the middle of the celebrations, near the battalions and procession, who were waiting for some VIP to arrive. I didn't miss out on clicking some photos with the army and airforce men too.
Witnessed sun rising behind the mountains, lighting up all the shikaras and the lake was a great scene to behold!
I proceeded towards the bridge where I ended my run and took an auto back to hotel to get ready for the travel ahead.
