Testing the Fauji Spirit on Snow: An Inspiring Story of Puneet’s Chadar Trek
“Being a Fauji kid, I always dreamt of doing something adventurous, so, I chose the most dangerous and the most exciting Chadar trek as my first trek.”
The team of trekkers around the crackling bonfire looked at Puneet with respect as he said those words. They did not know this about him until now. But that night, the group was celebrating- it was the second day of the trek and they had experienced a beautiful snowfall in the Zanskar gorge. It was a surreal occurrence that moved them all very deeply. So the night called for some celebration, with food, songs and rum!
It was more special for Puneet as it was his first-ever snowfall experience. He is a soulful person, even the tiniest deeds of nature mesmerise him.
After savouring some delicious food made by our chefs, who were also the local guides and porters, they finally went to sleep.
They were a group of people who had come to Ladakh with Thrillophilia to do this trek. There were 12 people in total, all of which had bonded quite well as a team by the time they began the adventure.
Patience and Resilience
5 days were over. The trek seemed to test everyone’s patience and resilience. The biting cold was almost too much to endure. The camps and the fire were of utmost importance here, but the right place to set a camp and light a fire was hard to find. The rocky terrain of Zanskar Gorge was as brutal as the sleek Zanskar river that lay frozen like a snake in hibernation- preparing for the summer.
The group was resting after a long day of careful yet relentless walking when Satya, Shashank, and Dorge took a moment to make an announcement.
“We are to reach Nerak tomorrow. The trail will be tricky, Zanksakr is the deepest and the weakest here, so each one of you has to tread very carefully. After Nerak, we can expect a better route. And as we are approaching the end of this trek, I would suggest you all be calm and mentally strong.”
Satya looked at Puneet and gestured, “Hum Nerak jayenge”
This has been their drill from Day 1. Right after they both got to know each other’s Army background, they shared small jokes and words of motivation within themselves. Puneet had grown to respect him a lot, their immense dedication and pride for his country sparkled in their eyes. It was very inspiring for those who watched them interact and talk, so they stood as a pillar for the group. Shashank sir was extraordinarily knowledgeable in terms of technicalities and management, while Dorge offered diverse insights about the local culture of Ladakh and its various communities, its history, and its heritage.
The next day they woke up, packaged the camps and set out for Nerak. It was an easy road, with no hurdles or dangers. Something seemed off. But casting that thought aside, they all indulged in the moment. Its frozen state was a natural wonder for a reason, it stood elegantly amidst the background of white snow, glistening and sparkling in the warm sun rays.
Puneet was thrilled. He took off his jacket and shirt and “yahoo” -ed his way around the magnificent Nerak Waterfall. His patriotism and Josh overwhelmed him, no cold bothered him, and the warmth of his blood and soul reached all those around him. They too were moved.
The Risk
After having lunch and spending a good two hours there, they decided to get moving…but little did they know, something was off…
After about 20 minutes on the trail to Tibb Caves, the next campsite, Dorge sir raised his hand and asked them all to stop moving.
“Wait.”
Shashank- “What happened”
Dorge looked at him with concern, and Satya went up to them.
Shashank- “Something is not right”
Suddenly, they heard a swift sound of ice cracking. They were all standing there for long…immediately they moved apart.
They all moved the group to the banks, and Dorge himself went for about 50-60 metres on the river. The patch was weak there. He was coming back, and suddenly his left leg sank into the river. Being experienced, he pulled his leg up. He told the group,
“There is no other way. We can't go from the mountains as these are standing mountains, it is not possible to climb them. Just stay calm, and do not panic if something happens, we are all here to help you. We will divide the group into four, each group will have one leader, and no more than 4 people in the group.”
Anth Bhala, toh Sab Bhala
They started the walk, and a person named ‘Dev’ was the first one to get the shock. His leg went down knee-deep into the ice sheet, panicking, he was shivering and in pain. Shashank, his team leader, went to his rescue at once. After pulling him out he helped him change his socks and pants.
The next victim was Puneet.
He was walking very carefully, judging the strength of the ice sheet by its colour. But we are humans, we can be wrong at times…
His right leg went straight into the river, but he was very calm. With the help of Satya, he got up and took out a new pair of pants and socks. His jacket went a bit as well, but he was not carrying any extra. One of the porters offered him a jacket similar to those they were wearing. It always fascinated Puneet to know how just one piece of clothing could keep them sufficiently warm, and that day he knew. It was made of Hemp and Cashmere.
Satya asked him, “Wah, you were quite calm”.
To this, Puneet replied- “I heard the crack, I knew I would fall. It sounded satisfying though.”
Laughing, Satya returned to this position and the team started moving again. The rest of the journey was smooth, and the group completed the trek with ease!
Returning to Leh, Puneet realised one thing for sure. It was this inspiring group that always kept each other motivated. The support from the team was incredible. Their enthusiasm helped him survive the trek. Also, a lot of credit goes to the trek leaders and the local guides for being all safe and sound today. He also remembered the lovely taste of Rajma Chawal cooked by their porters. He clicked on the itinerary sent by Thrillophilia and went through it again, recalling every bit of the journey.
He was happy, his Fauji heart was also smiling with reverence.