This is not the first time I am driving in the snow, but the snow is almost half a foot high. We are driving towards Lokhandi which is around 22 KM from where we stayed. Driving every 100 meters is like one kilometre for us. Whenever I see any vehicle coming from the opposite side it feels hell to me. There is a saying “Slow and steady wins the race” so somehow we also won. All new drivers note this “Driving in the Snow is RISKY!”
Read the first part – “Memorable Winter in the Upper Himalayas”
Lokhandi is a small place with half a dozen small stays and 4-5 houses. I was not expecting this much of snow. But if someone reaches here somehow trust me this place is another heaven on earth. It’s not about 2 foot of snow or less crowded, major Himalayan peaks can be seen in view.
We finalised the stay and paid the amount ₹ 2000. With basic amenities and food, this place is comfortable for 2-3 days. We also came to this place to give my wife a taste of trekking. Out of two treks, we agreed on a small trek to Moila Top.
Moila Top Trek
It’s just a trek of 2.5 Km with an elevation of 2759m. So we planned to trek this day hike. The next morning, when I started discussing my plan with the stay owner, he told me because of the snowfall from the last two days no car could go to Dak Khana (the starting point of the trek) and from the last few days because of heavy snowfall everyone cancelled their plans.
I got an adrenal rush by listening to his words, which means if I trek to this place, technically, I will be the first person to reach this place in the year 2023. And I also get the chance to trek in 1-2 feet snow. Somehow, my wife said ‘OK’ to my plan. We started moving towards Dakghar.
On the Way
Two hours later, we reached a place called Dakghar. Now we had to start the real trek from here. After taking some photographs, we started moving upwards. The Jungle is so silent that we can listen to our heartbeat. After trekking for 2.5 hours and 2.5 km we reached the top.
It is a bugyal that turns into a place like Narnia (Movie). And in between me and my wife sitting. There is a small temple at the top, which was closed at that time. After clicking a few pics, we decided to go back. At 3 we start descending, now the real challenge is about to start.
Coming Back
I am a trekker so I know how things go in trekking but my wife is new to this experience. As the sun goes down the temperature starts falling. We reached the dakgahr safely but my wife started panicking and crying because we were the first ones who started and met no one on the way. No one is there for kilometres and it’s going dark. We are walking in 1 foot of snow and she is shivering with cold. Somehow I convinced her to walk without thinking and for next 3 hours we walked with difficulties.
Once we reached our stay, the owner appreciated the courage of my wife to complete the 9 Km trek (to and fro). She sounded confident. This trek is challenging in these conditions but a great experience for me.
Chintaharan Mahadev
The next morning we started back home, and on the way, we found a very beautiful temple of Mahadev. We visited the temple to seek blessings and left for home.
Har Har Mahadev
