Mindfulness

 

In the summer of 2009, I was on a (18 days) High-Altitude Mountaineering expedition between Gangotri and Kedarnath. After having mesmerizing experience of 4 days through Gangotri we had to rappel down the Auden’s col (high pass 150 feet high Ice wall) to enter the snow field of Khatling Glacier. This snowfield was infamous for more than 50 fatalities due to hidden crevasses. The conditions became riskier with the complete white-out (visibility of 10m) after the snowfall happened a day before. We were not able to see all members in the line who were rope-up for the safety.

Jai Singh leading the rope

55-year-old Nepali Sherpa (Jai Singh) was leading our rope from the front. I was second in the row tied up in a common rope with other 6 members. There was a of avalanche from the steep walls as the snow as fresh and had chance to slip over us. So, we decided to be in active mode to keep us warm without pitching a tent in the snow field. The attempt to go further down trail without visibility was a high risk. After circling round for some time, we decided to take the chance as our body was getting cold without food.

 

With every slow-moving step on the high snow I was observing the surface with my feet and ski poles. If accidently I or anybody in the rope falls into a crevasse, I should be ready. I was aware of the rope tension so that there shouldn’t be much slag to reduce the impact of jerk in case of fall. Ice axe was ready in my hand to hit the floor to arrest the fall. Eyes were watchful. Breath was helping me to distribute equal weight on both the legs. These thoughts come to me now, I don’t remember what I was thinking during that time, but I was ready without a doubt. I was in the state of mindfulness, I was 100% alive.

 

And suddenly Jai Sigh fall into a crevasse. Without any time, I drop myself on the ground with the Ice-axe to make an anchor to arrest him. Everybody did the same back in the rope. Time stopped for us. I don’t remember how much time it took for Jai Singh to come out, but he managed it without any major injury. Then we quickly changed our route of progression.

At Khatling Glacier

Core Members

Above kedarnath