Everest Uncensored

The season of Dashain ushers in with it a time for celebrations as routine life is interrupted. People bustle to travel to their homeland to meet friends and relatives and seek blessings from the elders. I endure this season longing for someplace to go and Sailung seemed like a perfect overnight hiking destination at a time when winter is just starting and the road traffic is still not heavy.

The footsteps clearly show less human intervention. The path was full of newly grown weeds untouched by humans or animals. The wild Pears were hanging in trees out of season. The jungles were silent except for chirping birds and humming insects. The far distant forests, the lining, the boundaries, the halo, the romantic majestic panorama, and the chilling air made it heavenly.

I was in our office premises, waiting and excited. Thought we had planned to meet at 7:00, we were already late. It was almost 8:00 when we left the office with 5 hikers, and on the way there were 4 other who would join us. The route was from Lakuri Bhanjyang to Gundu. With our entire plan ready, we stopped for breakfast of tea, eggs and pea soup at Lubhu. We kept it light, keeping in mind the difficult hike up towards Lakuri Bhanjyang. However, as we reached the base of the hill, Kedar dai realized that the road was good enough for the Deerwalk van to go all the way up. In a mere 20 minutes we reached the village atop the hill.

In a crisp morning, we began our journey in a group of twelve. Laughter filled the van, as everyone was getting their share of being the subject of jokes. Our van suddenly came to a halt. Nimesh, sitting at the front seat told us to take out the camera. We leaned forward to look at a snake crossing the road. It spread its head flat when another van abruptly stopped close to it. For the first time, I liked seeing a snake in front of me. The highway was very familiar to me. My birthplace, Khairenitar in Tanahun district, was at a very short distance from the route. Our team kept reminding me to inform my grandparents that we were coming. I couldn’t tell if they were serious, and I even dialed the phone, but it was switched off. We reached Pokhara, and we parked by the lakeside. The rumors of strike around the valley nearly disturbed our plans, but gladly it was just a rumor.

Nuwakot Durbar was the palace of Prithvi Narayan Shah, and his ancestors, before he annexed Kathmandu valley. The thought of visiting this place itself brings back the memories of the glorious past of Gurkha warriors who united Nepal. On the foggy morning of 15th September, 2012, we set out to visit this historical site along Kathmandu-Kakani Highway. However, fate had planned a different destination for us.

There is a memory imprinted on my mind because of which I could never say “No” to hiking or trekking. It was six years ago. Right after completing my A-levels, I went trekking with my friends to the Annapurna Region – from NayaPul to Muktinath. During the 9 days, we saw the pristine beauty of nature including the magnificent Himalayas. One day I was walking ahead of all my friends and I saw the most beautiful scene I have ever seen. On the two sides of the path were gigantic green trees and right in front was a mighty snow-clad mountain. I have never felt the mixed sense of pure peace, serenity and joy as I did at that moment. Since then, I have always loved being with nature.

Gaindakot (गैंडाकोट) is a small town of Gaindakot Municipality of Nawalparasi District, next to Narayangarh, Chitwan in Nepal. The official name of this place is Adarsha Gaindakot Village development committee. It is located in the bank of Narayani River and is backed by numerous mountains. Gaindakot is situated at an approximate altitude of 150m above sea level.

Work and fun should go together, Deerwalk surely tries to encompass them and hiking is one of those examples. After having joined Deerwalk this was my first hike. It was definitely a good experience and a golden opportunity to have fun and mingle with fellow colleagues.

Through narrow road and surrounding jungles, narration continued into the countryside. Rudra asked questions every now and then while the rest attempted to provide the appropriate answers. Bhoj expressed mature views while I childish. Lekhnath gave logical reasoning while Kapil made fun remarks. Pramod smiled and explained the inner vision. Ashish, the photographer of the day, was busy clicking the camera and threw his opinion only when not interested in photography.