Triund Through Snow

Rarely do we repeat a trek, because we prefer to cover new places as much as possible. But when it is a place where seasons compete against each other to decorate the landscape uniquely, it is as good as a new destination. Unlike Maharashtra, where post-monsoon, the setting is devoid of all greenery, Himachal Pradesh is never gray or brown. It’s either green or white or sometimes both, as we found out as we trekked up to Triund.

A few years back, we did the Triund trek in pouring rains, all drenched, with mist, clouds, streams, and exquisite greenery for company. When we went in March this time, we least expected snow, let alone imagined trekking through snow-covered hillside.

The initial climb was as expected. The pathways and the entire hill were dotted with bright red rhododendron flowers. Smaller wild flowers too peeped in from the ground foliage as if to mollify us—they were a delight in the absence of mist and murmuring streams.

As the gradual climb became steep, we saw snow! Fools we were, we managed to walk around the snow to avoid stepping on it. Little did we know what lay ahead!

In a way, it was good that we were unaware of the snow because our shoes were not the right ones to walk on snow, and we would have been discouraged.

Having reached that far, there was no looking back. Slipping, sliding, we clambered up, thoroughly enjoying each moment. And, we made it in good time.

On top, sheer whiteness made the already-awesome landscape more stunning. All of us were awash with feelings of ecstasy and awe of nature.

After an hour of pure bliss and a hot lunch of Maggi and bread-omelet, we started climbing down. While it was difficult to climb up through snow, climbing down was more difficult and trickier. At a few points, it was easier just to sit and let the body slide down. It was much fun, too.

At the end of the day, we were left with aching muscles and sore feet and an elated mind!