Gaumukh Tapovan Trek - Day 04

CONTINUED FROM HERE: Gaumukh Tapovan Trek - Day 03

Day 04: Tapovan (4460m/14632ft) to Chirbasa (3600m/11800ft)

Distance/Time: 12km (7H)

Golden Hour

I woke up at 5am and headed towards the small hill, located next to the campsite. I picked a good spot in front of Mt.Shivling and setup my time lapse. I brushed my teeth and washed my face there while waiting for the sunrise. I spoke to two Photographers who were there to capture the moment as well. 

Mt Shivling and Meru peak being lit up by the sun was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever witnessed. I was so close to the mountains that it was a surreal experience. I sat there watching the beauty for some time before heading back. 

We got ready, had breakfast outdoor (Paratha). Some group pictures were taken in front of the peaks. I had had a fulfilling experience that morning, sitting right in front of Mt Shivling for almost an hour. I felt satisfied.

We left the campsite at 8:30AM. The descent from Tapovan is challenging as it can be slippery and a lot of load falls on your knees and ankles. But we managed to get down quickly and continued the walk along the river. 

I walked slowly to absorb the beauty of the place. I was heading back to the crowded towns and cities. So, there was no hurry to get back to the next campsite. 

At the Bhojwasa river crossing, things went smoother than the onward journey. We reached the other side, climbed up to the rest house and had lunch there. 

The next stretch up to Chirbasa went smooth too. We reached there by 3:40PM. I am not sure why, nobody went to the river that evening. We stayed in our tents and met up at dinning tent to listen to Pachu about mountaineering techniques. He is someone who enjoys speaking a lot and is full of self. Sometimes that can be overwhelming. Witty comments by Ankush lightened up the mood. We all gave our feedback on the trek. Divyesh was open about how he disliked the food. He was upset with their management too. I thanked the porters for their hard work, specially during the river crossing. 

After dinner, some of us chatted for a bit and then headed back to our respective tents.

To Be Continued...

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