Day 3
It was the next morning that we truly realised the enormity of what we had achieved. The Gaj pass, visible from Bhag seemed like a massive wall. Looking up at what we had scaled the previous day, we could not conceive of any possible route. Yet we knew a route existed and in a way I was happy for the mist to have hid the sheer drops, for it would have been even more nerve-wracking on a clear day!
Downhill from Bhag, is initially a short steep descent, after which we met a mountain stream and followed it downstream. The walk takes you through dense mixed forests and the river water looks inviting for a dip. The trail was broken at places from lose rock created during a now abandoned road. The government is working to dam the river to produce power and construction is ongoing. After a couple of hours walking we could feel how tired our legs were from all the walking and the fatigue had reduced our speed. The thought of a shower and the promise of a hot meal though kept us going though, and after three hours of walking we arrived at the roadhead.
(end of Kareri and Lam Dal series)