Trek file

These three intrepid mountaineers have made Puneites proud by successfully finishing their 15-day expedition to the Kedar Glacier and Nachiket tal in the Gharwal Himalayas after braving life threatening challenges. Alumni of Nowrosjee Wadia College, undertook the expedition at a time when their alma mater is celebrating its platinum jubilee. While Baheti, 53 and Jandial, 45, have been trekking since college days, Ubhe, 31, fell in love with the sport since his school days. 8220;My initial practice sessions in trekking started in Lonavla when I was still in school.8221; reminisces Ubhe. The threesomes have enjoyed each other8217;s companionship in innumerable trekking expeditions.

Talking about their latest expedition Baheti, the team leader who has a been a student of geology, says 8220;We had to face myriad difficulties all through the expedition specially in the Gangotri valley. While climbing the Kedar glacier, heavy snowfall and rains greeted us all through the way and our return journey down the glacier saw us fighting against blizzards and the fact that we three survived all this has to be attributed to divine intervention.8221;

Recalling his past experience, Baheti highlighted some changes that have taken place there. 8220;The nature is definitely is in its best, however, pollutions and greedy motives of humans have not left it untouched. In past 15 years, I have noticed that Rishikesh , which was once beautiful and clean, is now covered with smoke pollution if seen from a bird8217;s eye view. Apart from this, smuggling of medicinal herbs is affecting the locals as they depend mainly on herbs for treatment.8221;

After successfully climbing 14,700ft in the Kedar glacier, the team8217;s next stop was Nachiket Tal 8200 ft, which is surrounded by dense forests of Pine trees.

8220;Throughout the expedition we used to receive day to day weather reports from the Indian meterological department , Pune which gave us a lot of assistance8221; says Ubhe who hails from a family of trek lovers.

However the trio also wanted to make minute observations of the global warming effect on the glaciers but the unfavourable weather conditions ruined their plans. This team of adventure lovers has many feathers to its cap. While Baheti and Jandial have successfully climbed Rudugaira, Koteshwar, Thelu, Baby Shivling and Matri glacier, Ubhe has Meru glacier adorning his list of mountaineering expeditions.

8220;We go on trekking expeditions almost every year and Sundays are booked for our practice sessions at Sinhgad fort. Although the sport involves a lot of risk but the thrill and adventure that accompanies it is irresistible. In fact it teaches you to face all difficulties in life,8221; concludes Baheti.