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Tata
Pani , A lesser known Area Report
By: Samuel Arthur : E-Mail
Author
MY
FIRST SOLO TREK: The urge for adventure
and unavailability of companion,forced me to
adopt solo trekking in Himalayas which is not
still in trend here in India By going through
lot of maps ,I decided to start from low altitude
trekking. I was having one two men dome tent,a
rucksack and sleeping bag. A kerosene oil stove
was presented by my mother,which I am still
using.And one day in mid-April of 1994,I was
out for my self placed challenge.Tatapani means
"hot water" and when I reached there with a
pounding heart,it was nearly 4.0 PM and my eyes
were searching for a better place to pitch tent.although
I was not new to the trekking world but SOLO
is something which can not be expressed in words.You
feel fear,challenge,happiness and sorrow all
alone.No doubt the percentage of danger and
exposure to accidents increases in SOLO trekking.I
was directed to tourist rest house.But I choose
river bank for pitching tent.After coffee I
decided to talk to someone about my intended
trek and through a cigarette shop,I came to
know that the is LEOPARD area and many incidents
of encounter with humans had been reported.This
was enough to give me "oooops" and I remember
that I prepared a early dinner and could not
slept until 11.30 as sound of wind coming through
high grass was enough to create a raging heart
beat.But there was no other alternative left.I
had put myself into a situation and now I was
facing it.
DAY1
Next day,I started early .Trek was parallel as
it was jeepable.But after crossing CHABA, an hydroelectric
plant I decided to have some breakfast...I descended
to the river bank.My tent and sleeping bag was
all wet so I dried them in sun ,cooked some noodles
and started for my unknown destination.I met students
going to school and they all were shocked to see
me.Later on I came to know that very rarely some
"other" person visit that area.I was carrying
too much load..could be around 35-40 kgs,with
spare shoes,5 Ltrs. of kerosene,ration,cloths
etc. etc. But gradient was not much so I managed
to walk good length.It was coming to be 1.0PM
when I decided to take some rest.Again I descended
to river bank and had a bath in ice chilled water.Ultimately
it gave great relief to my aching muscles.I started
after and Hrs. stay but there was some rocky
patches which consumes good time.Sometimes I have
to hold on some rock to support myself..it was
sheer drop and I was hesitant in begining...but
managed to cross those tricky things.The very
memory of "kissing" the rock gave me thrill ,even
today.Evening was running in and I have to decided
where to pitch tent.I was told by someone that
There was a village "Harluti" and it was almost
5.0PM when I entered the village.Tired and hungry,I
asked to a farmer for permission to pitch
tent.He invited me to stay with them but I wanted
to be alone so I requested to be "there".In evening
he along with his young daughter and son visited
my tent and I had a long conversation with them.
The girl used to walk almost10 KMs. for school
and after completing school,she was interested
in further study but a helpless parent was worried
how to support her financially. I felt bad but
could not do anything else except appreciating
the attitude of both father-daughter.I cooked
some rice and slept....no dreams!! |
