Patel 1
Kashyap Patel
Ms. Patroni
English 111-5552
10 November 2014
Trekking Camp of Manali
Have you ever experienced the thrill of adventure? I have experienced it. Adventure is dare,
courage, risk, and excitement. About two years ago, I had a great adventure trekking camp,
"Trekking Camp of Manali". This camp was organized by Anala Outdoors, a travel agency. We
were six friends from my town participated in that camp. The journey was scheduled in two
half. First half was from Ahmedabad to Delhi, the capital of India, and second half was from
Delhi to Manali, the camp site. We were fifty campers including three volunteers. After long
journey of one and half day, we reached to our camp site which was located in a beautiful
forest near Manali. Manali is beautiful hill-station located in North India. Manali's chilling
weather, cold wind, and lovely streams are enough to fall in love with it. Historical temples and
monuments make it best place for tourist. While on the other hand, Manali's nature and forests
make it perfect site for camping and adventure. Challenging activities was the most exciting
part of that camp. Out of all the activities in that camp, trekking to Bhrigu Lake was the best
and the part that I am most proud of.
This camp was life changing for me. I was amazed and wondered about the beauty of nature
during this camp. Woke up at 6:00 a.m in the morning for meditation and exercise was such a
beautiful part of the day. Breathing deeply in fresh and redolent air was not less than a joy of
heaven. We, all the campers, were completely random and unknown to each-other before we
started the trip. But eventually the days were passed and barriers were broken. From morning
breakfast till dinner in night, all the activities in the camp was building new relation among all.
One of the nice activities I like in that camp was campfire. Campfire was night activity after
dinner. Night becomes very cold in Manali so bonfire of logs was used to get some heat.
Campers were sitting around the fire and enjoying this activity. Campers got chance to show
their talent during it. Playing games like antakshri(singing song), dumb charades(gussing movies
name by action) and joke(funny stories). This camp was all about adventure activities such as,
Rock-climbing, Fly-over, River-crossing and Long-trek. River-crossing was the most dangerous
Patel 2
and risky activity of all. Crossing the bank of river, which was flowing at speed of 60 km/hr with
tremendous cold water, was not fun at all. My legs were trembling when instructor said that, "if
any of you will lose the grip from rope, your dead body will be found in neighbor country
Pakistan within twenty-four hours. All of us were looking at each other with feared expression.
Although, the most challenging activity was yet to come. And that activity was Long-trek of
Bhrigu Lake.
Bhrigu lake is a lake located at an elevation of 14,500 ft ,half of the Mount Everest, in kullu
district. When I came to know that person is given appreciation certificate for this
accomplishment, my excitement level was at the top. Before that I had never trekked in the
snow mountains. We had three special trained instructors with us for guidance. I was feeling
difference between walking and trekking during that long-trek. I was enjoying the beauty of
Himalayan mountains. It was very first experience for many other campers including me.
Carrying 10 pounds on the back, while trekking was quite difficult. We all were enjoying that
snow and scenery of snow glaciers. This long-trekk was divided with two points called first
minus point and second minus point. Minus points allow campers to quit their journey. After
second minus point, there was no other point to quit. So, many of the campers quit their trek at
the second minus point. After twenty minutes of short break, me and remaining campers
started to trek towards destination. As the journey was moving up to higher altitude, level of
oxygen getting lower because of the thinner air. We all were motivated each-other to be
confident and keep focus.
The most memorable life lesson I learnt in my life was happend during that trekk. It was very
narrow and icy path to pass through one mountain. I fell down eight [Link] shoes were not
enough capable to grip on icy layers. My each attempts was resulting in failure. Finally, at the
ninth attempt, I succeed to pass it. And that was best accomplishing moment for me. It has
taught me that give up is choice not an option. I was exhausted and energyless, but that
incident gave me new enegy and confidence. The campers, who were trekked with me during
that, greeted me and appreciate my effort. And that was the time I realized that the depth of
relations doesn`t depends on time. In less than a week, an emotional bond was created among
us.
After seven hours of hard trekking, I felt little better when one of the instructor said that, "now
we're just few distance far from the destination." After that, each step towards mountain was
very special. All the words in dictionary are less to describe that incredible feeling. And finally
that great moment came. Heartbeats were high, hands were up, legs were dancing, and mind
Patel 3
was enjoying that silent peace of victory. No need to say that it was most memorable moments
for all the campers including me. Some of them were capturing those wonderful moments in
camera, while others were relaxing. After one hour of rest, we began to trek for returning from
there. It was fun to experienced that it takes just one minute of sliding to return from that last
mountain, because same mountain had take one hour and thirty minutes to climb. Around 6:00
o'clock that long-trek finished and we returned to our campsite. Remaining one day was
reserved for town visit of Manali. And finally that wonderful journey came to end of it. Train
reached to last station. It was hard to say good bye to those friends. This trip gave me life time
memories. Everyone was waving their hands with heavy heart.
So this is how that life changing camp made a special place in my life. I learnt to do romance
with beauty of nature. I understood the value of relations. I'll miss this trip till the last breath of
my life. And finally, I'm quit to write with beautiful words, Manali..I miss you.
