One Final inspection of our daypacks and we started our slow ascend towards Tungnath Mandir. Tungnath Mandir was around 4 – 4.5 Km. from Chopta and Chandrashila Top was another 1 – 1.5 Km. Within the first two hundred meters of walking, we encountered hard ice on the path and Wakeel instructed us to stop and put crampons (spikes to walk on hard ice) on our shoes. We did as we were instructed and proceeded. Krutika was in the front along with our local guide, Bharatji, I was at the back with Wakeel and Krutika’s “gang of senior citizens” (as she called them) were in the middle. It was quite enjoyable and I was clicking pictures as we were going up. About an hour or hour and a half into the trek I decided to join Krutika and Bharatji at the front, as I wanted maintain my momentum. Wakeel also approved of this and I joined the front lot. Slowly and steadily, we reached the point from where Tungnath Mandir was visible. We reached this point by around noon (3-4 hours from the start). Here we also realized that the snow was almost knee deep at some places and the intensity of the sun was making the ice melt and the snow flaky, which meant that it was going to get even tougher from here. There were two options from there to proceed towards Chandrashila top: 1) Go to Tungnath Mandir and take the route which goes behind it, to the top and 2) Take the route with a steep climb, bypassing the Mandir and go to the Mandir on our return.
Before starting our final push towards the top, Wakeel instructed us to put on a pair of gaiters (Protective covering for lower legs, so that snow or dirt doesn’t seep into your shoes). It wasn’t easy to reach the place where we were and the melting ice made the surface more and more slippery. The rest of the group decided to go till the Mandir and not any further, as it could’ve been dangerous for them. Wakeel decided to stay back and took it upon himself to get the rest down till Chopta safely.
Bharatji, Krutika and I decided to push forward towards the top and we chose the route with the steep climb. Don’t know what possessed us to agree to this route, however, Bharatji had a very good explanation to convince us. Although the other route is not as tiring, but, there comes a point where the path narrows down and there is a deep fall on one side. One slip and you are gone. At last, we started ascending slowly and steadily. The steep climb was taking its toll on us, every time our legs got stuck in the snow, it further sapped our energy. Somehow, we were able to make it to the halfway point, but, the path ahead looked steeper and daunting and the destination still very far from us. I almost felt like turning back, my legs wanted me to give up, my mind was playing games on me and my lungs were screaming for more air. Bharatji’s motivation helped us a lot. He told us not to look at the final destination, but, to keep our heads down and soldier on. We took 1-2 minutes rests frequently in between our struggles. Another thing that helped me go up was the fact that I kept looking behind from where we came and that gave me the additional motivation. I kept telling myself that I have come this far not to fail, but, to reach the top. Then, when we were about a hundred meters from the top, Krutika and I, in unanimity, said that we can’t move ahead. We were so damn tired. Bharatji agreed and told us that we should eat a bit from our packed lunch here. The food did just the trick and provided us with the much needed energy to kick on, and finally, after 2 hours of struggle we made it to the top.
Krutika (in pic) & I, on our way to Chandrashila top.
