Trekking to Tattapani
Trip Start
Nov 07, 2004
1
4
55
Trip End
May 20, 2005
Tattapani,
India
Monday, November 15, 2004
We trekked from a village just outside Shimla, and down to the valley floor, before heading upwards for the Chali Temple on top of the highest near-by peak, a mere 3260m. After some considerable effort, [Caroline- for some reason I was spurred on by the voice of an old Irishman in my head saying ' I've seen a duck walk faster, use your legs!'] we arrived, in darkness, with a group of rifle carrying hunters and half the local villagers (six men and a dog) who had decided to join us when we were shopping for provisions
01- Morning on a Bare Mountain
.The night was spent in a freezing loft with the other pilgrims, but the next morning the views we awoke to made it all worthwhile. A panorama of snow-peaked mountains, as far as Kashmir and the mountain Kinnaur Kalash (6000+m and still unscaled).
We were blessed in the temple, then invited for tea with the priest. At the time our guide, Ravi thought this was a good idea. However our caprine priest led us down the other, sheer side of the mountain. Our descent was rapid, had we been in an airplane, oxygen masks would have fallen from the ceiling. [Mark- in the grand tradition of injuring myself on holiday, I went for a knee strain this time, far more permanent].
Eventually we arrived at Tattapani, were hot sulphur springs and Aruyvedic massages attempted to restore some use to our limbs.
Following a total descent, ascent and descent of 8000m in 48hrs, we felt we'd earnt our mountain badge, and we've decided to head for Mcleod Ganj for more leisurely pursuits.
