Leaving my campsite from last night, I swiftly packed up and hit the road toward my next stop: Jispa. Mastering the steep, twisty roads became second nature by now, each bend a thrilling challenge.
Declining a Helping Hand:
As I cycled, fellow bikers often stopped to check on me, some offering encouraging salutes and wishes of good luck. For some reason, those words: ‘ best of luck ‘ didn’t sit right with me.
Despite a one biker’s kind offer to assist me up to Jispa, I declined. I had set a personal challenge to pedal across India, and accepting help felt like cheating myself.
Preparation for Network Challenges:
Finally, I arrived at Keylong, the last hub for essentials before the landscape transformed into arid desert and scattered villages.
A swift visit to the market ensured I had a memory card and enough cash, vital for the upcoming stretch where networks and digital transactions would fade away. Well, at least “that’s what she said!”
Exiting Keylong on my way to climb further to reach Jispa , curious villagers welcomed me for a cup of chai, a gesture I couldn’t refuse in the chilly weather.
Emotions Mimicking the Terrain:
The journey persisted, the hills still steep and my patience tested, worsened by a sudden drizzle, A ten-minute halt was necessary to weatherproof everything, only for the rain to cease soon after , seemingly a playful jest from the rain gods, well not the first time it happened.
In this meantime, a considerate truck driver slowed down to offer advice: ‘Don’t halt on these steep inclines,’ he warned, emphasizing the danger. ‘Weather at the summit can be far harsher.’
Pedaling onward to Jispa, the terrain mirrored my emotions, Like the routes of mountains, like my emotions. We humans in many aspects tend to say the sky is the limit, but when it comes to mountains that’s not true cause there will be a downhill after a certain climb that may be true in one’s life too. Life is full of ups and downs and we need to deal with it.
Jispa Camping Experience:
After enduring 40 kilometers of challenging terrain, a miraculous downhill stretch of 15 kilometers swiftly erased all the preceding pain and frustration.
Upon reaching Jispa, I made a prompt stop at the first dhaba following the exhilarating downhill ride, on the lookout for a suitable camping spot.
The owner warmly recommended a cozy camping area nestled in a small garden next to his dhaba, extending a gracious invitation to set up camp.
The camping spot is dream, with majestic mountains standing tall ahead and beautiful waterfalls nearby. After some bargaining, settled at 200rs for the campsite and agreed to pay whatever for the food.
With the owner’s assistance, I set up my tent quickly and enjoyed a comforting meal of hot dal chawal.
During our conversation, he shared that he was away from his family, striving to earn a living and support his kids. I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d ever be as selfless as him, sacrificing my aspirations and freedom to solely care for a family.
Winter Camping Blunder: Cold, Excitement, or Fear
Surprisingly, there was still a signal available. I took the chance for a heartfelt video call with my family before settling in to arrange my sleeping gear.
Around 2 AM, a nightmarish challenge struck as the temperature plummeted to minus 4 degrees. The biting cold crept through layers of warmers, sweaters, and a sleeping bag rated for 15 degrees.
Despite all efforts, the chill seeped in, causing intense discomfort and prompting a serious rethink about the camping experience.
Recognizing my blunder of bringing a 15-degree sleeping bag to the winter Himalayas, I endured a sleepless, daunting night. Unsure if it was the cold, excitement, or fear, that sleep eluded me entirely