Tung

I had always been looking forward to trekking all my life. It seemed like an elusive adventure that kept me waiting for a long time. Few days back I finally decided to make a call to a friend pretty much expecting the reply in the negative given her tight schedule. But, what a surprise!!!...She said YES without a second's wait.

Just as mine this was to  be her first trek too. We were excited because this became an adventure even before it started given the fact that every moment would throw in a surprise it being our first experience. After a short train journey we reached our meeting spot. And any wonder that we were the first ones to reach infact, even before our bus. Now that definitely proved we were the first timers =) Soon the bus arrived and so did the fellow trekkers. It was an eclectic mix from teenagers to middle-agers(to my utter surprise!), from novices to seasoned veterans. The journey finally started. The ride en route to our destination was scenic. We moved around the winding paths of the mountains. We had mountains and valleys for our neighbours who faithfully kept us good company for the most part. The calm presence of mountains was in complete contrast to the excitement that me and my friend were experiencing. From a certain point in our journey we could see a  very large mass of white clouds seated comfortably in the valley and daring to touch the peaks of its neighbouring mountains. It almost looked like they were in some serious conference to decide the next stop to shower themselves upon us mortals. I just hoped that they had my city on their inti nary. They would be welcome with open arms!! =)

The route was surrounded with valleys and lush landscape. The season's first few showers had already revived the greens and given the soul to the flora. The mountain sides too were turned to various hues of green and the dying yellow was on its way out. After a short stopover we reached Tung. This was the sentinel fort to Lohagad and stood just beyond Pavna dam surrounded on three sides by water. It was used as a watch tower to warn the rulers of the imminent invasions. After a short brief, our trek to the top started. I had chosen this trek cause it promised to be a 'soft' one. Being scared of heights, I did make it a point to get certain assurances from the group to make sure that I was not chewing more than I could digest. I have a history of going weak in the knees(literally) standing at a height and many a times I have had to be brought down with the help of  strong arms almost dragging me. How embarrassing!!! But as the trek started I realised this was exactly what I had 'not' wished for. Though the height was a given and naturally so, a height phobic in me did not expect it to be so narrowly winding at many places. Had I attempted anything like this a few years back, I would have freeze midway or fallen off the height after a dizzying spell. Phobias are best experienced than explained.

 As the ascend began I decided to concentrate on the path rather than look sideways now that I had already bargained my life for a measly sum. Even a week back standing on slope of the Solang valley for a para-glide take-off had made me shiver. I couldn't believe why I had to be so harsh on myself. After a few steep climbs, I finally decided to face the fear. I turned my gaze from my path to the slope running below, the fellow trekkers following my path, and finally to the 180 degree view of the mother earth who's lap I did not wish to 'slip' down to. My eyes loved what it saw but I could not believe that I stood there fearless. To make sure this was no mind trick, or a stunned mind at its frozen best, I continued soaking in the scene. The height did not make me tremble nor dizzy for the first time in my life. To my utter amazement, I could finally face my fear. I was FREE!!! Finally =). Oblivious to my inner jubilation, the trekkers behind me were fast catching up. I decided to move on.

The rest of the trek was arduous for the most first timers and they shared my experience. Me and my friend were not alone in our struggle to make it to the top. Though she was more deft at getting to the top while, as it turned out later, I was better at the descend. She had to face her phobia on our way back =) Despite the physical strain and the occasional visits by scorching sun we continued with our ascend. We made through the first leg of journey and hit a flat level. I was haggard by the time I got there only in a matter of an hour and decided to stay put. The peak was just a short distance away but I thought I could take the climb no more. After a decent rest, with my friend and some other teen aged trekkers(who shared my sentiments) egging me on,  I decided to reach the summit. After the final climb, the high of making it to the top ,for a phobic like me, was like nothing else. I made it!! =) The 360 degree view of the Pavna lake and the surrounding mountain forts was beautiful. It was worth every bit making it to the top. And I was so close to missing it. It was time to unwind with the breeze crashing against the ear-drums.and it's hardly a chaos but more a company in the silence of the peak. A light banter with the fellow trekkers is inevitable and  interesting.  The unobstructed cool breeze and a light lunch replenished me for the walk down. After an hour's stay we started our journey back. The descent is usually on a fast-track thanks to the gravity! It is the best time to truly soak in the beauty all around in its details be it the flora, fauna and all the green and red creepy crawlies that constantly crossed my path asserting their sense of  belonging.  Climbing down is the perfect reward for making it to the top.

Besides the natural beauty around what also inspired me was an amazingly youthful 66 year old couple. They were simply awe-inspiring to me. I salute their will to test themselves and make it to the top and back at their age. They gave me something precious to look forward to in a distant future. Were they old? I don't think so. Not in the spirit. As I overcame my phobia, they overcame their age with their spirit as it happened to be their first trek too. Its well said, Its all in the mind!!