An Experience of Climbing Friendship Peak - BinkyRangaswami

The decision to go on the Friendship Peak trek was made in an instant – the misgivings startedsoon after – I hadn’t trekked for a couple of years, never at that altitude (14,000+), and I was onthe wrong side of 50.

I needn’t have worried. Wonderfully organized by the Get up and Go team, who also provided allthe gear (tents, sleeping bags, snowshoes, crampons, ice axes etc), the trek was an experience Iwouldn’t have missed for the world. It took us through spectacular mountains, valleys and forestswith the Beas never far away. Starting from Solang (8000 ft), we walked over 7 days to Lady Legat 15,000ft (and from where you can get a wonderful view of the Beas kund) and back, with a daytrip to climb Patalsu peak. With the exception of a couple of days, most days had 5-6 hours ofwalking with enough time at the end of the day to relax and enjoy the view. The organizers evenmade sure that the weather was good – it snowed only the last couple of days and then, only inthe 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 equallyabout the entire team - cooks, porters, guides, mule keepers, etc. We always got service with asmile – 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 goodmorning. When we reached the campsite at the end of a tiring day, the tents would be up, and ahot meal waiting. The loo pit had been dug, and a tent put up over it with even a makeshift toiletseat and a roll of tp at hand. During the trek, when anyone found the going particularly hard – Idid quite often - there was always someone to lend a hand, haul you up a steep bit or just makeyou laugh.

Food is probably one of the trickiest bits to organize, and I have to admire just how sorted it allwas. Every meal tasted good and was well prepared and there was plenty of it. Each morningbefore we set out, a tray with fruit, tetrapacks of juice, nuts and cheese would be laid out so wecould put some into our day packs to snack on. A couple of the kitchen staff came along with uswith flasks of hot tea and packed lunches. The day we walked to the glacier, it was snowing andreally cold. All everyone wanted was hot chai. And there it was! Not in a flask this time but madeon 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!