Swagata Luitel
Sometimes the best way to bond with your respected seniors and coworkers is not in the conference room or break room, but out on the trail, inhaling fresh air and speaking. At 7 a.m., the eleven of us gathered in the warm embrace of 109 Restaurant for a substantial breakfast. The buttered bread and warm milk tea provided the ideal start to the day. After breakfast, we are prepared to embark on our excursion. But we didn't know where we were going. Rudra Dai suddenly decided on our hiking path for 2nd February 2025.
Finally, we knew about the destination, which increased our excitement to its peak. We filled our bags with some energetic fruits and snacks. We filled up our bag with some energetic fruits, snacks, and some bottles of water. Our organizing team left no crumbs to ensure our journey went with a smooth and enjoyable experience. For the day, an office Hiace took us away to Jarsing Pauwa, marking the beginning of our adventurous journey.
Our hike starts at 8:45 a.m. from Jersing Pauwa. Rudra Dai and Dev Dai led the way, their good energy pulling the entire group ahead. After walking for 45-50 minutes, we arrived at the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park admission desk. Then Rudri asked me what my name is. I replied to Dai, "My name is Swagata." No, I'll give you one nickname: "Swaggs." That sounds great, he responded with a teasing smile. Our team was fully prepared for an interesting day filled with laughing, jokes, and shared experiences.
The story!!!
I was a little nervous about this hike because I had heard Rudra Dai is really strict. It was my first journey with him, but he was surprisingly pleasant and very friendly. His daring adventure motivates us greatly. The greenery of the forest, Dai's stories, and the mountains we saw there added charm to the journey.
Shankarapur, located at an altitude of 1434 meters, was a major stop along our trek. Pratigya Pokhrel, one of the team members, had a difficult time at first because of the unknown terrain. This is her first hike ever. However, with the team's ongoing support, especially from Sudina Didi, she shared some of her inspiring narratives and brought her with her. We have no words.
We have no words to describe the view from Sankharapu Hill. . Mt. Everest, Langtang Himal, Lakpa Dorje Himal, and Ganesh Himal can all be seen clearly. The breathtaking views revived our slightly tired bodies. We felt our tiredness towards the mountains; we took some group photos not only to capture the view in our eyes. We laughed again and continued towards our destination.
The tiny road in the heart of the forest, the chattering of the birds, and the sound of the water in the creek all combine to make a pleasant journey. Sometimes the brothers and sisters were ahead of us, chatting and mocking each other. Finally, we reached our destination, Dhap Dam.
The Destination: Dhap Dam
The dam is at a height of 2085 m from the sea level. The lush green forest on the other side, the wall on the side, the big lake formed by the dam, and the blue water of the lake were mesmerizing to see. We reached the edge of the lake and took a long breath, resting on the stones carved into it and getting lost in its beauty.
After taking some rest, we took out the fruits, dried fruits, and chocolate that we had kept in our bags before walking. Then, we took lots of pictures with different poses. Deependra dai, Krishal dai, Riyaj dai, Basanta dai, and Deepsan dai took some photos in Sarukhan poses.
At the time, we were disappointed by the piles of plastic on the dam's side, as well as the waste management. It's a sincere request for anyone "who will visit the Dhap Dam: please collect the plastics taken by you and bring them back to your bag, as well as put them in the dustbin in the same way."
Now, the time was waiting for us to return. On the way, we saw rhododendrons blooming on the hillside. Dipen Dai and Basant Dai picked it up for us. We enjoyed looking at the village and the villagers' work. Basant Dai and Dipsan Dai cracked jokes when they noticed everyone's worn-out expression. We proceeded through the tea garden and finally ended up at the Trout Village Resort and Farm. There, delicious food, special fish, and hot tea are awaiting us. After a fantastic meal, we returned to our office in Hiace around 4:45 p.m. We arrived at 109 Restaurant at 6:30 p.m.
In the end, it wasn’t about how far we went, but about walking together, lifting each other up, and finding joy in the journey. Here’s to more challenges, more victories, and to the incredible team that makes it all worthwhile!"
