The decision to go on the Friendship Peak trek was made in an instant – the misgivings started soon after – I hadn’t trekked for a couple of years, never at that altitude (14,000+), and I was on the wrong side of 50.
I needn’t have worried. Wonderfully organized by the Get up and Go team, who also provided all the gear (tents, sleeping bags, snowshoes, crampons, ice axes etc), the trek was an experience I wouldn’t have missed for the world. It took us through spectacular mountains, valleys and forests with the Beas never far away. Starting from Solang (8000 ft), we walked over 7 days to Lady Leg at 15,000ft (and from where you can get a wonderful view of the Beas kund) and back, with a day trip to climb Patalsu peak. With the exception of a couple of days, most days had 5-6 hours of walking with enough time at the end of the day to relax and enjoy the view. The organizers even made sure that the weather was good – it snowed only the last couple of days and then, only in the evenings after we were safely back at the campsite.
I think what makes the difference is that Getupandgo cares not just about their clients but equally about the entire team – cooks, porters, guides, mule keepers, etc. We always got service with a smile – I never saw any of the team with a grumpy face or heard the slightest grumble. We woke every morning to hot tea brought to our tents by one of the staff with a cheery good morning. When we reached the campsite at the end of a tiring day, the tents would be up, and a hot meal waiting. The loo pit had been dug, and a tent put up over it with even a makeshift toilet seat and a roll of tp at hand. During the trek, when anyone found the going particularly hard – I did quite often – there was always someone to lend a hand, haul you up a steep bit or just make you laugh.
Food is probably one of the trickiest bits to organize, and I have to admire just how sorted it all was. Every meal tasted good and was well prepared and there was plenty of it. Each morning before we set out, a tray with fruit, tetrapacks of juice, nuts and cheese would be laid out so we could put some into our day packs to snack on. A couple of the kitchen staff came along with us with flasks of hot tea and packed lunches. The day we walked to the glacier, it was snowing and really cold. All everyone wanted was hot chai. And there it was! Not in a flask this time but made on the spot on a stove, with melted snow – the best masala chai ever!
For me, it’s important to trek with people whom you can trust, rely on and feel comfortable with. I’d never trekked with before, but Getupandgo they put any fears to rest. A great experience!
