A walk from this relatively easy muddy path slowly turns into an upward incline in high grass. The trail gets narrower, the slopes get steeper and the winds grow a new set of teeth. As you continue your climb, from wide-open spaces, you find yourself walking farther and farther away from the sounds of civilization to an assortment of howling winds and soothing chirps of the birds - sometimes even screaming silence with the rustle of dry leaves crushing under your footsteps as you walk. Tall ferns, taller trees, and the ground stapled with pine needles – you have now entered the enchanting forest. It is not a difficult climb but it has a sense of elasticity – it seems to stretch on because there is just so much for the brain to process and store. Once above the treeline, you are invited to open lands with mountains covered with all shades of green. From this height, you get a glorious view of the entire valley below. Take the time to absorb the sights, the sounds, and the taste of the air from this beautiful part of the world because you are now about to enter the zone where your senses are likely to surrender part of their efficiency to the cold.
To reach our first campsite, you have to do something peculiar. Take your shoes and your socks off, tie them together – hang them around your neck, roll up your pants and dip your feet in icy cold glacial water to cross the stream. If you are fearful or in doubt, there’s plenty of mountain sheep who’d lead the way to show you how it’s done!
The trail has some of the most beautiful campsites waiting to be wandered and explored. This one, in particular, is littered with hundreds of baying sheep, curious dogs, and unfettered horses all taking turns to come sniffing your necks like gentle lovers. The campsite also opens up a show of even bigger peaks and gives you the first sight of your target – Friendship Peak.
