3P of Success

One of the things I learnt and reinforced in my trek to Tapovan is the value of 3Ps for achieving whatever you set out to achieve. Success in one's mission calls for : #Purpose #Preparation #Perseverance

Purpose

I am a student of Chinamaya International Foundation. And both Swami Chinmaya and his Guru Swami Sivananda / Tapovan Maharaj have spent considerable time meditating at Tapovan. My purpose was spiritual . But , this is a trek that will be a treat for both spiritual seeker or adventure seeker. My purpose kept me going . Whatever we set out to do - Understood one has to be clear about what’s the #Purpose of the mission .?

Preparation?

This was my first trek and I was very anxious as I am asthmatic as well. So I took a suggestion of reaching Gangotri (>3000 m) to acclimatise before the trek . While I waited for the other 25 to reach , I walked up to the entry point of Gangotri National Park four times (with and without backpack ) to identify my safe pace . While I was the last trekker throughout this trek - I never had any asthmatic problem. I also didn’t suffer from any symptoms of AMS (acute mountain sickness), as my body had acclimatised suitably. I learnt the importance of preparing for the mission with a plan.?

Perseverance?

Once we have the Purpose and Preparation chalked out , then it’s about just doing one step at a time - all the time - however long it takes - however difficult it is - whatever surprises come up during the mission. My perseverance paid and had a wonderful trek :?

We started the trek at Gangotri national park (3415m) and move to Chirbasa (3580m) . A distance of 9km and an easy walk , but made difficult because of the hot sun . First night in the tent was claustrophobic for me. And I slept(?) with my camp lights on.?

Next day we moved from Chirbasa (3580m) to Bhojbasa (3775m) . It was an easier walk than previous day because the weather was better and the distance was only 5km. The path is through rock fall area mostly (almost 4km) and makes it a bit dicey. We stayed the night at Bhojbasa??and I was happy to use the dormitory bed that was available in a wooden building.

Third day we trekked to Gomukh ( 4255m) which is the origin of Ma Ganga???????????from Gangotri glacier. A distance of 4km and an arduous trek as you have to walk over boulders for almost a kilometre. After spending time at the glacier we returned back to Bhojbasa. This was done to acclimatise.?

Fourth day we left Bhojbasa at 830am and trekked through Gomukh towards Tapovan (4463m) . The climb from Gomukh to Tapovan is treacherous. Either on the left or right you have deep ravines and the path is dangerously steep. I didn’t look left or right. My focus was completely on where will I keep my next step . This helped me climb. And for my bad luck as I was the last trekker in the group always , I had to face rains and no companion during this tricky climb for the last 45 minutes. Anyway all is well that ends well and I reached Tapovan .?

Due to rains and clouds we had a foggy night and next morning. Hence had to cancel our trek to Meru Glacier and back and stayed put in Tapovan .?

Sixth day at 530am when someone came out of the tent to answer nature’s call , found that the clouds have cleared and we could see Mount Shivling , Bhagirathi peaks??and the terrain of Tapovan . Her scream woke everybody up and we were excited to see a new dawn .?

After enjoying the views and spending sometime with Mauni Baba (who lives there right through) and hasn’t talked for 12 years . It seems he started talking some six months back . After drinking the sugary coffee he gave us we started our return journey .?

The climb down was better because we had bright sunshine . All of us decided to walk together and that helped as well. We stayed at Chirbasa that night and returned to Gangotri- Uttarkashi the next day.

It was fabulous and I am so delighted I did this trek .This is a trek that will be a treat for both spiritual seeker or adventure seeker. In this trek I reinforced my learning about #Purpose #Preparation #Perseverance?