One of my friend popped up with this name which was not on any of HP Maps and I have no
thoughts but just to find it out. This was just an idea of exploring something which was
more then an excitement now as u know that there is nothing out there on google about a
place called "kanda" - THe Hidden Lake.

It took us a little while to head down searching for details but I knew once I am in hills
and that too in a place called Himachal Pradesh - its as gud as my own home. To some it may
come as a surprise but I have asked out for a Wingman and who else then once a companion
before on a ride in January. - Nitin Gera - Another CBZoid - Another Shutter addict - Doesnt
gives up .. Just Like a FreeBirD

2006 Apr'14

The day that was to mark the beginning for the unseen that lies somewhere deep in hills at
such a place that not many have been there. We started on the long strech of plains for
250kms and we nearly covered it in smooth ride as we were settling down with the terrains.
As soon as we reached kalka it was a ride so smooth that we will scrap our footpegs to scare
those cage riders untill their jaw dropped open in an awe of unseen bikers ever in their
lives. By mid day at about 1430hours we were in shimla ready to rumble still as this never
seems like we have already crossed 380kms and we still were so full with the enthusiasm. The
Ride from Shimla to Rampur was one that wanted us to stop every few kilometres to take the
fresh breath and realise that this is heaven on Earth. The First view to snow covered peaks
was something that just came up as a surprise. We crossed Rampur and the destination was
unclear it was already 1730hours. We initially planned to stop by at Jeori but then we still
can see the light and the next destination is about 37kms.

The Darkness surrounded us and we had to extend it next 10kms then intended plan of 37kms
reached to 47kms. Found a place to stay in HPTDC rest house with bit of hassle as to getting
a room. Got a room that was just okays type but when you are tired it really doesnt matter. The
geyser isnt working but well.. we got the heating rod instead... what a Relief.. it works.
We planned out the next day the very same night as we didnt knew what lies ahead. A good
sleep is all we required and we got too...

2006 Apr'15

Got up with the alarm sounding in my ear at 0530 hours to pack our stuff and get going. It
was almost 0800Hrs by the time we left. We hardly would have driven a kilometre when Nitin's
Rear tyre was flat out and the time to dare...

Nitin took off the rear tyre and I took it back on my bike for a repair accounting to an
hour delay in our planned journey time. The road from Karchham till Sangla was beautiful to
see as the snow peaks was right in front of our eyes. Nothing between our eyes
and snow peaks. Blouody Amazing. Reached Sangla by 1030 and with the breakfast and packed
lunch for our next journey - The Real Adventure.

With the locals saying its not the best time to leave at this hour - we still were sure to accomplish
it with - No give up spirits. The Climb - it was 70 degrees steep uphill - BINGO - we were
low on our energy levels. Each time we used to come to an end of a turn we were praying to
god this is the last one.. and it never used to happen. Finally after crossing the few
patches of Snow we finally saw a plain area of nothing but just few abandoned houses.

DOOD - WHERE'S DA LAKE ??
SHIT - WE R NOT GOIN ANY HIGHER THEN THIS !!!
WE ALREADY ARE ON SNOW WITH NO PROTECTION GEAR...
WAIT....... LETS atleast have a lunch and go back - (Really Disappointed)
Oye Woh dekh - we did it....
We saw the First view of KANDA - IT WAS AWESOME.

We checked the abandoned houses... nothing much to do but just sit and relax - take deep
breaths quickly finish up our packed lunch and then get on to action with our Camera.
It was hard to find it and then now we have found it - its even more hard to leave it.
Weather was playing SPOIL sport... we have to rush down as the winds were piercing our head and we
sure didnt wanted to get stuck in any unseen situations.

The downhill climb was even more arduous as the weather went Berserk on us. It took us a
little while but then we were finally back at sangla encountering the rain on way back.
What an exciting Day. Reached back at the Room - and we were struggling with pains - to beat
it even more.. We did the trek in 3 hours as compared to 4 hours of normal trek time. Are we
from plains... ?? NOoooh ... we just were so enthusiastic to achieve what we have come for.

The day ended with little flaunting with a lady restaurant owner who became too friendly with these
two chaps from Delhi. Finally feeling nice after a long nice tiring day.

2006 Apr'16

The day that was to become the best of our whole journey so far. We left as quick as we can
with the pain loosing on its effect by the morning. we took our seat on steeds to head down
the last of our planned Journeys. CHITKUL - the road ends here. Last point till where you
can drive. We reached Chitkul with weather detoriating then what we could have expected out
of it. We reached Chitkul which was FUKIN FREEZIN at 2 Degrees Celcius. What da hell... Just
26kms back we were in 17-18C and all of sudden we are in 2C. The minute we reached there..
we had to look out for hot tea not one but Two cups instead with Boiled eggs.

Parked our Soulmates in the heavenly place and shot them till people around can wonder what
these two guys were upto. Left them alone while we walked down to River on that wooden log
bridge which lets us cross over to snow covered river beach. Can you imagine the river with
snow on its beach then instead of Sand. If you cant then wait till u see the pictures.
We rushed back as quick as we can since I can sense out that the weather is about to Rape us
bad. Left Chitkul with last few shots and ... we just got the light snow flakes falling on
us. GOD.......DIS is UnBelIevablE. It was light flakes which turned Heavier ..... and we
were still riding through since we had no intentions to loose ourselves in thick of things.

But we still managed to try few interesting Shots. The visibility from inside our Helmets
was dead ZERO. Found a place below a hanging cliff and we managed to shrug off the layers of
snow from our jackets.

Ride that is to become the best of our times to remember - Has been logged in the book of
our Life. We reached back sangla where we hooked on our bags and left back for Home... Have
driven about 13kms and BANG ON - my rear tyre had a flat tyre with a 2" nail inside it.
Unwanted breaks .....HuH !! Drove on sittin on my tank with the flat rear to a BIG Workshop
where they just work on the trucks for Hydro power plant supply. Talked with the supervisor
who got me through with the things and helped me get my tyre fixed. Weather really was
sucking us. The rain stopped for a while but then ... I was low on Fuel. Have to tell Nitin
to go ahead and get me few litres of fuel for my steed.

On way back, the journey just started to become more and more tough. No roads Just the dirt
and the wet water made it difficult to control our machine mates. Though the rains was no
relief but we finally were far off to see the clouds stay behind us now. we were hungry by
afternoon but no lunch for us. We got to see the vultures so close for the first time in our
lives .. .just about 10 foots away and they were huge. Imagine the wingspan - 1.8mtrs ..
GOSH they fly just like A FREEBIRD... We almost had a day of our live to remember.

Reached RAMPUR finally with darkness surrounding us. Its Sunday and hard to find the market
open. we reached Rampur Circuit house and ABE OYE - YEH to JANNAT hai - AB yahin pe rukenge.
And we had to struggle with the caretaker to find a place. He was bit not willing to give us
a room but few extra bugs and there we were in Jannat.

The best place to stay in mere moolah - Kingsize Suite with what all we can ever imagine.
BHAI LOG this was the best place to stay from all my previous journeys.

2006 Apr'17

Day when the weather is still not very clear but we have to get up early since this kingsize
suite comes with the best of flowering around this castle. We were bitten by shutter bug for
a long long time. Its almost 0830 and we were back on our steeds.

We started off smoothly on road that was nice to ride on but we didnt wanted to return
back. Unfortunately, we have to. To make it more memorable... we decided to get on to a
bridge with our bikes and click few shots.. which are to become my Wallpapers.

Soon the weather was again fooling us with hot streamy sun shining on our heads. We have to
reduce the layers of clothes with each kilometre cutting down. Shoops its Shimla that we are
to get close too - AND the sky is all DEEP grey....... the view becomes Highly impressive
with the most colorful houses below that dark grey sky.

We were scrapping off our footpegs by now - I just saw a board for CAFE COFFEE DAY and that
was to be our next halt in DHARAMPUR... oh yeaah - Big Relief. After 30 minutes of sippin
hot coffee and a sandwich it was a helluva nice break.

Soon we were at Panchula and the rains stopped us for the first time - It was heavier then ever.. but mere 5 minutes is all it stopped us for and then the remaining 250kms were Harsh on us. We both wished we had R6 for now........ With 3 stops for 10 minutes each we reached split point and a HUG to remember this Journey and SAY - " THIS IS THE BEST OF OUR JOURNEYS."

IMPRESSIVE But more IMPRESSIVE JUST in our memories and our Photos.

- Mani Babbar -

PICS

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