We woke up and Krishna greeted us with water and some tea. And also asked us to get ready if we want to hike up to the Dawra Pass.
My companion and I discussed and arrived at a conclusion that we'd explore Dodital, hike a little nearby and that was it. I was doubtful, if we will be able to do it.
But when Krishna came again into our hut, he suggested us to go up there and utilize our time while we are here.
Also he said "We will return from the point you'd start feeling too uncomfortable, But we should at least try".
Climb was gonna be steep, especially the last two kilometers. But we didn't have to carry the rucksacks. So it was a relief.
After waking up and stepping outside. We were captured by the beauty of this amazing place. The frozen Dodital nestled between the Wild forests and mountains looked stunning.
After the sunrise.
After finishing our daily chores and having breakfast. We started at 9:30. The guy and his guide whom we met the day before, also started along with us.
The beginning was easy and fun.
And within 20 minutes into the hike, just every place felt like worth capturing.
The paths were rocky and snowy.
We moved forward through the meadows and sometimes forest, crossing multiple frozen and semi-frozen streams. Krishna was very helpful in making us safely cross them.
I experimented with some live camera filters to capture a few good shots.
At one point I found water flowing over a rock to be frozen and converted into ice. Sun rays were lighting up the thin sheet, making it shimmer. It looked spectacular.
The climb got steeper as we moved further.
Dawra pass is 5km from dodital. But we had to return before it gets dark. So we pushed faster till it was the lesser steep trail.
After covering the first 3 kms. The trail became the steepest.
Also air was getting thinner as we gained elevation. We couldn't help but stop to take breaths after walking every ten-twenty seconds.
But here was what you could see whenever you turned around.
As we went higher clouds felt like we would be able to touch them. And grab them in hands.
When we were just 300m away from the pass. I started feeling some uneasiness and sat on a stone.
We all stopped there for a break and until I felt better.
Meanwhile the other group of two, that started with us was coming down. They also stopped to cheer us for making it up here.
And then suddenly, I puked. Krishna came near me and handed me the water. And enquired if I was ok.
The other guide said to Krishna to take me down.
The other fellow traveler was carrying Diamox he gave me one, and they handed their water to us.
I poured two pouches of Electral in half a liter of water and drank it. Slowly.
The other group left. Then krishna pulled out an oximeter and checked my oxygen level and pulse. It was normal.
He said "Are you having any problem in breathing?"
"No" I replied.
And then he said since it was my first trek and first time coming up this high. It was normal to catch some altitude sickness.
But he also said "You don't need to go further if you don't feel like and we can descend from here."
But I was too close to give up. I thought for a while. Though I wasn't feeling totally fine, just a bit disoriented. But I knew that this isn't the kind of elevation that can kill people. And if I can hike 95% of the way, I can hike 5% more.
So we went on and pushed slowly. It took us longer like 20-25 mins to cover that small steep stretch.
And finally there were the moments worth cherishing forever.
Dawra Pass was accomplished.
It's the only time when you are literally above the most people's level. 😜 3.7 km perpendicularly above. That's where we were.
We hive fived. And made small video clips. Captured some priceless moments and seeped the view inside.
Couldn't have been possible without Krishna, I thanked him by heart. For taking us here, at this beautiful place.
After spending some time there we started climbing down in pride, and full of ecstasy. The cheers of achievement marked our faces. We had completed the full trek.
The snowfall started. We descended slowly enjoying the cotton like snow that was falling from the sky. And capturing the missed beauty.
But my situation worsened while coming down. I was hit with acidity and I puked multiple times in the way. The last kilometer felt like if someone could pick me up and drop at the settlements, it would be better lol.
I reached down exhausted and dehydrated. And the snowfall became fierce. But after coming back at a lower elevation, I automatically felt better.
We took a walk around the lake and I couldn't stop looking at and fiddling with the falling snow.
Then we went inside.
Fortunately, I hadn't puked since we had descended.
I slowly drank lots of lukewarm water and sat beside the fire pit.
And we shared our experiences with the other fellow traveler and his guide.
Krishna and the forest guard (hut owner) prepared delicious meal for us and we all had the warmest dinner of the coldest evening. While cheering up and rejoicing over our accomplishment.
We both were tired. So we headed to the adjacent hut even before it was 9:00. To doze off in glory and be prepared for another long walk back to agora the next day.
But this time I had to wake up in midnight. I forgot to pee before I slept, lol.
And it literally chilled my spine. Actually my shaft, to be precise. 😝
