Participants : Rudra Pandey, Mike Quigley, Hitesh Karki, Nishchal Shrestha, Manoj Rokka, Suyesh Nepal, Kapil Pandey, Asim Singh Mahat, Lava Kafle, Awanish Ranjan , Anup Sharma
Route: Bajrabarahi to Lakuri Bhanjyang
Time: 6 hours and 15 minutes
Distance: 40 km (Apprx)
Date: Sunday, April 29, 2007
Report: Anup Sharma (Rookie of the HIKE)
Photos: Nishchal
Captions: Nishchal
Creative Support: BinayaN, Nishchal

After picking Rudra and Mike from Yak & Yeti, we spearheaded towards our Hiking site. On the way, we stopped at Jawlakhel where we had the best breakfast – “Jeeri Swari” and tea. It was warm Sun-ny morning when we reached Bajrabarahi, the genesis of the HIKE for the day. I am always excited to watch Mother Nature in her full glory and grandeur and this was the day, after joining D2, that I got the priceless opportunity. With passion in the eyes and thrill for the adventure, we moved ahead, destination: Lakure Bhanjyang.

We knew instantly that the Road Ahead was not going to be an easy one. And when Rudra is present in the hike, you will know just how the track and trail are going to be like. None the less, with passion and perseverance, we marched ahead. We were walking on the graveled road as the actual point of the Hike was few kilometers away. One point I must mention here is that our Hike had two phases.

Phase I: walking along the foothills of the mountain to reach the starting point of the HIKE.

Phase II: hiking (the actual one).

Phase I was like a dress rehearsal for the Phase II. So with that clear picture in mind, 11 of us walked along the foothills of the mountain. This phase took us through the Wheat Fields and villages. About a few kilo meters away, we saw the first of the Nepali Brick Factories. We went past these factories and wondered how even today such a primitive factory could exist and serve the people. The art and skill with which the workers were making the bricks amazed every one of us. It was really “Unbelievable” (as Mike would love to put it) site to see. And just then a voice came from the front “Hey Mike, see the donkey is grazing on the mud”. We laughed instantly on hearing that. It was Lava shouting from the front.

We were now walking on the foothills of Shanti Baan. Big Buddha stands there giving blessings and passing words of wisdom to the passersby.

It was around 10:50am when were reached the starting point of our actual hike- Godawari Picnic Spot. After a brief recess, we prepared ourselves for the adventure ahead. At exactly 11:15am, we headed towards the second leg of our hike (actual one). With the Sun almost on top of our heads, we hustled through the jungle. It was an uphill task and we rested as the heart started beating thunderously. The cool breeze helped us to gather some breath and momentum. Finally at around 12:15pm we went in for our first Pit Stop. Sitting on top of the hill, watching the nature at her best and thinking about the trail we just covered – there was a sense of accomplishment amongst us but we exactly knew that the hill ahead was not going to be an easy one. In fact, the upcoming hill was steeper than the one we just covered. Every bite of cucumber and carrot was helping us to gather ourselves and prepare for the ascent ahead. Never did noodles (wai wai) taste so good to me. The taste of lays was energizing and every drop of water was rejuvenating. We were now ready for the next leg of our journey.

Well the next leg was also difficult. Sweat ran through our faces and bodies endlessly. Muscles were pumping and heart was thumping seamlessly. But to see someone at the age of 53 walking with us, showing no signs of difficulty and problem was all inspiring. Mike’s good health and gazelle like movement forced every other hiker to praise him.

Come what may, we moved through the jungle and up the hill swiftly. It was around 1:10pm when we sat for our second Pit Stop. It was by the side of a school and the terrain was very beautiful. After about 15 minutes stop, we started moving down hill. Nischal was a great navigator of the route. He knew every nook and corner of the jungle perfectly. Hence with such a great team of men, we finally reached Lakure Bhanjyang (destination) at around 2:10pm. Here we distributed around 50 pairs of copies and pencils and one sharpener to the students of “Shree Bashuki Lower Secondary School”. This school was being run with the help from Germany and Austria. All those kids who received copies and pencils were delighted and we were all delighted to see the smiles on their faces. Even though how small our effort was, it was good enough to bring smiles to the faces of those kids. This is a small example of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It is a good way to give something back to the society from where we are taking so much. And I am glad and proud to be a part of the organization practicing CSR.

After our brief stay at the school, we started the descent. Instead of walking, now we were literally running down the hill. The sound of boots hitting the ground was unforgettable. And the descent only took us just little over one hour to complete. Thus at around 3:20pm we finished both the phases of our Hike. We were all proud to have completed the hike in time and successfully.

We then went to Nanglo (Jawlakhel) for brief refreshment and then headed to Thakali Restaurant (Jawlakhel) for the lunch. As Asim would say that the favorite part of the Hike is to be sitting in a great restaurant and having fresh Dal Bhaat Tarkari and Massuu (meat) as well. The day ended perfectly and reminiscences still come fresh to me as I move up and down the stairs of D2.

In hindsight, Hike was a successful because we worked as a team, we loved hiking and last but not the least, we knew where we were hiking. A perfect amalgamation to do anything successfully and in time.
In a sentence I would like to put the Hike from Bajrabarahi to Lakure Bhanjyang as:

“Exploring is delightful to look forward to and back upon, but it is not comfortable at the time, unless it be of such an easy nature as not to deserve the name” [Samuel Butler]