Deoriatal Chandrashila trek - Part 4- Syalmi to Baniyakund

The evening drizzle had added more chill to the air. It was the first time that we were going to sleep in such a tiny tent. But except for the first two hours, I could sleep well for next five hours. When I woke up in the morning, I was very happy. Yesterday, though for fraction of a moment, surely I had thought, "Should I stop my trek here?" But nevertheless, in the fresh and pleasant morning, there was no trace of that thought. 

"Iraade agar pakke ho, to dagamagae kadam kyu?

Hausle buland ho to sahma sa ho man kyu?

Manzil ab dur nahin.. Bas Sambhal ke Chalana,

Kabhi na rukna, haar na manana...

 bas chalate rahna."

- Vrunda Tilak

All our campsites were in fantastic locations. Today's Syalmi campsite was no exception. As far as the eyes could see, there were only mountain ranges and forests . There wasn't any trace of human habitation nearby the campsite. 

📷Samrat Darda 

After the warming up exercises like everyday, we left for Baniyakund. Today the road was going to be very beautiful. After walking up and down on the steep roads, that too many times yesterday, today everyone was well- prepared! Today I even wore kneecaps!! So let's assume that even if the road would be difficult today, there was no reason to worry. Har har Mahadev!!

All elements for a memorable trek were present today; there were roads winding up and down, thick forests, chirping of birds, footprints of wild animals, not only Rhododendrons but also other wild flowers, springs, waterfalls, river .. all these elements made the day memorable. 

📷Co trekker 

📷Co trekker 

This slope was also very steep. But after yesterday's practice it didn't seem so bothersome today.

Occasionally we could see crystal- clear streams.

 

📷Co trekker 

📷Supan Shah 

📷Co trekker 

Many birds were attracted by the trees in the forest, the flowers and nearby water bodies. Their chirping could be heard. Today's flora was different than what we had seen in the last three days.

📷Co trekker 

📷Co trekker 

📷Samrat Darda 

The name of this flower is Himalayan Peony. It grows as a wild flower in the Himalayas. It is also called Himalayan Paracetamol as it has many medicinal uses.

Today we could see Bamboos as well. There were two types, green and yellow.

📷Co trekker 

📷Co trekker 

Our local trek guide gave us information about the surrounding trees, flowers and about the animals found there. Of course, this was only possible if and when we could find a place where everyone can wait for two minutes.

Today we were accompanied by many water currents. Occasionally such springs were seen.

📷Co trekker 

The animals that came to the waterbody had a dense forest around to hide. So we had to be satisfied with only those footmarks which we could see on the tree trunks. And suppose if the wild animals had actually come forward, there was no place for us to run away from the animals!! So it was better to see only their footprints!!

We saw Akash Kamini river which originates in the Tungnath Chandrashila peaks. The gurgle of the water was audible from a distance. The forest, the flowers, the chirping of the birds and the sound of the river .. the ambience was soothing.

In summer, as the temperature increases, the snow will melt and then the water level in Akashkamini will rise. 

There was a bridge made of large flat stones placed in a row near a stump of a tree placed horizontally in the water. The stones were moving due to the speed of the water and due to pressure of our feet! This increased the thrill of crossing the bridge. 

📷Supan Shah 

📷Co trekker 

📷Vrunda Tilak 

Here we could sit for a while. Sitting quietly on the banks of the river is pure bliss!

📷Samrat Darda 

📷Sumati Dhembre 

📷Sneha Tilak 

📷Samrat Darda 

The road ahead was inviting us. While walking through the forest for about an hour, it was totally calm and quiet. We were walking very quietly. If there was any sound, it was of the blowing wind, rustling of leaves, dry leaves under the feet and the distant gush of water.

Then we had a few minutes to be with the Forest. All of us sat at different places near the trees. We were experiencing the forest's embrace. Our nostrils were experiencing the fresh mountain air. Eyes were enjoying the greenery. Ears were content with the silence in the forest. The smell of the tress in the forest, the touch of the soil, leaves and pebbles and stones while sitting on the ground, everything was an experience. It surely calmed us. The mind was truly in the moment and consciously experiencing each and every moment. The experience was similar to the Japanese Shinrin yoku - forest bath. 

📷Supan Shah 

📷 Sneha Tilak 

📷 Sumati Dhembre 

Even when we left from there, everyone was quiet, contemplating the experience. Different wildflowers seen on the way were captivating with their beauty.

📷Co trekker 

📷Co trekker 

📷Co trekker 

After another hour of walking through that forest we arrived at a plateau. It was called 'Shamkhudi Bugyal'. It was noon time. There was no shadow. But because of the surrounding trees, the heat of the sun was tolerable.

📷Co trekker 

There were some stone huts of shepherds. They were empty now. But it was learned that during the summer, cowherds from the vicinity come and stay there with their cattle.

After a while, when we moved ahead, there were many small streams on the way. We had to cross them. Now again many rhododendron trees were in bloom.

📷Co trekker 

📷Co trekker 

📷Co trekker 

📷Co trekker 

📷Supan Shah 

📷Co trekker 

After walking for ten to fifteen minutes, we crossed a proper cement road. Seeing such a road after three days felt surreal. We knew it would be boring to walk on that road now. But thankfully, within a minute, we were on the forest path again. Now we were near to our Baniyakund campsite. 

📷Co trekker 

📷Co trekker 

📷Co trekker 

There was another group at Baniyakund camp. They were back after successfully doing the summit and were going back to the basecamp Sari. As we had some conversation with them about their experience, we also felt that we will be able to do the summit.

Today we had walked for six to seven hours. The altitude gain was about a thousand feet. But today there was no feeling of fatigue at all.

Like all the previous campsites, Baniyakund campsite was also in a picturesque location. 

📷Co trekker 

📷Supan Shah 

When we reached Baniyakund we were welcomed by drizzles. Now they had decided to catch up speed. It started raining. Suddenly, the mountain peaks in one corner were covered by clouds.

📷Co trekker 

The rain obscured the view. All that was left were wet trees and our tiny tents soaking in the rain.

📷Vrunda Tilak 

 I was very excited about tomorrow. I wouldn't say tomorrow was a day of dream coming into reality. Because every day and each and every moment of the trek was like a dream coming true. But still there was great curiosity and eagerness to see Tungnath and Chandrashila peaks. 

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