Kinner Kailsah Circuit (5242 m)

It was here when a stone started rolling...the very size of it was enough to shock me..and what at that moment was worrying me...constant bombardment as I have earlier gone through on my solo trips in himachal...but this stone came zooming in towards us...i whispered to Gurpreet" don't take your eyes from it".and God bless him...he did that.The rock was falling directly on his face... last memory I have of this incident is..rock came close.. .just infront of us,two meters away it had its terrible bump and it was this moment when I saw through corner of my eye...Gurpreet moved his head quicky....I gave "watch Out" call for my upcoming friend...the rock did hit Gurpreet in other way ..it triggered sliding of other stones which ultimately injured him...and he was oozing blood when I looked carefully..to check him.We carried on ..(it was close to 6.0PM)...I waswwatching very closely..we were too late .With no place (safe)to pitch tent on other side of the pass...and unavailability of water..it was sheer foolishness to make an attempt..when one member was lagging behind.It was this moment which forced me to take a decision..which I still feel..was bit harsh...to spend night right there...we were 25-30 Mtrs.short of pass and in our struggle..we were tired..cold and wet and bluish tingle on Gurpreets face was enough to make me stubborn about staying there.( I should have decided to retreat back and camp should be erected on glacier bed)but with Bahadur waiting on top..and we all most covered 75%,and doubt on our sick friend clearing the pass next day...I decided to stay..in mountaineering style...like bivauc)When I told Gurpreet about our intended halt..he new the danger very well...I am sure that he knew...but he was adamant on climbing the pass..he told me he can do that...may be he could but in that case..still we were not secure...our friend was lagging behind and I knew that we have to  descend a long way for good place for pitching tent and water.

I have to be harsh...thinking about possiblities...helplessness is itself half surrender...I remember he told me that he thinks his arm has been broken. Its only arm". I replied.  I wanted to realize him that broken arm is very safe payment for "brush" he had just few minutes back. We climbed  5 meters of scree with hand -knee job and by now I selected the place for our night halt...a 3-4 ft. of 65 degree  bed....bahadur came down after much shouting..(which triggered more rockfall which "could be" more dangerous to  our friend deep down)but there was no other way out...I still remember that what I was thinking while shouting for him to come down.Had he walked away ?he he he he well,that was the situation for which I was not ready to put my friends in. God ! ultimately he came down..very quickly I  erected the poles..(Erected is wrong word..placed!)and OH! yes,here we were at least sheltered from wind/temperature.We were  shivering....So I slipped into my wet sleeping bag..all wet to my underwears...and Lo ! our friend had reached and was asking for a hand. Bahadur was near the exit and moreover I decided not to send badly tired Gurpreet (had he been slipped ,It could have been two causalities) So, bahadur  went out and we all were together/timely safe/all wet/badly tired/badly thirsty...above all ..threat of slipping down OR being hit by rock !!!  It seems bit horrifying picture now!!!....I recorded the last segment of this trek in my video camera  and told my friends not to sleep...I was awake upto 1.0 AM but Gurpreet slept near 11.30 and Gurrinder singh was just slept when I decided to take my chance...there was no wind outside..just drizzling...fear of being hit by rock/slipping down...I  slept.

We were  having only 200 ml of water which we consumed last evening. I can remember how Gurpreet pisssed in that bottle(inside sleeping bag) .We four were out of our tent at 6.0 am...smiling...
there was ice vorglass on our tent. We packed our sacks...started climbig..standing on the La at 6.40 Am...a bright sunny day !!!...did filming and snaps...and started the dscending...it took 4.30 PM to  reach Chitkul..and ofcourse I was tired..how one can say he is not..it is steep descend and requires good knee and ankle fitness.

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