Organised by YHAI, Luangmual, Aizawl in the first week of november for the fourth time, the trekking & caving expedition. I reached Aizawl on the sunday evening 1st Nov. All market, business and offices were closed and everyone was on holiday celebration mood. Interstate taxis drop at Bara Bazaar & busses at old ISBT these days, as some repairs and expansion construction is on at new bus terminal.
To enter Mizoram, entry pass is required which is checked on Mizo border town Varangtee. Liquor is under total prohibition in the state, narcotics vigrous check is also done at this check post.
Day one was to report, book the return tickets, dinner at 7:30 pm & fall asleep. The sun sets at 5:00 pm & temperature is comfortable, require no fans for a good sleep.
Day 2 i feel refreshed with cool breeze & got up with sunrise at 5:00 am. Could see the big city on hill through a large window of our dormitory. The other side of hostel had thick mist all through the valley. The day was planned for introdution, acclimatisation & orientation. My acclimatisation was through a lazy long sleep till lunch. Then tried to learn few Mizo words chibai - hello, tunge ihming - whats your name, kalawme - thank you, idamem - how are you & mangtha - goodnight. Had an evening walk to city and was back before dinner followed by introduction session. We had participating friends from Kerela, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Orrissa, West Bengal, Assam & Delhi of different ages from 24 yrs to 64 yrs. Palash Talukdar from Guwahati was chosen as our group leader.
The trek starts on day 3, with lots of state govt sports department officials in the campus. The video cameramen doing all settings for the flag off given by sports minister to 20 participants accompanied by 3 Mizo guides led by chief Moses. It was stepping down and down in the valley. Walking by a stream, on black top, through jungles & poultries to a beautiful suspension bridge on the river to have lunch by the roadside dhabba. Reached the camp taken care by camp leaders, two young ladies. After bonfire and dinner it was gossip time in tents before sleeping.
It was uphill climb till on day 4 to reach camp through Ailawng village. We found two routes uphill closed. The second try was through a dense forest where visibility could not go beyond 10-15 feet in bright sunlight. Just resembled forests in Tarzen movies. Third try to find the way was successful & could reach lunch point with avaibility of water down the stream. Just witnessed a kilometre long rock which was hard bed for seasonal streams. Could see a lot of pot holes in different shapes and configurations. Just a few would appear like footprints of some giant. Was thinking to cook a story & could turn this place into religious miracle spot.
After reaching the camp it was time for spelunking (caving). On hearing do's & dont's from guide all 20 participants, 3 guides, camp leaders & many local mizo village volunteers entred into cave. Some with torches & some without them. Few steps in could not see any thing not even the entrance light. About 7-8 participants quited and returned back. It was climbing, crawling, balancing in total darkness. To hold the torches, skills were required. We were welcomed by bats. Another 7-8 participants wished & expressed to quit. Now they cant, they can only move forward in darkness, up & down, lean & crawl and prayers started in heart & loud. Special advice came from our guide, not to cry loud as it echoes & creates chances on some stones or rocks falling down. Now many were out of energy to further climb and crawl in cave. Called for a breather & rescue volunteers. Now it was all pulling and pushing by local Mizo young boys who took us through and out of cave. Guide was asking cameramen to capture expression of each on comming out of cave. Now one by one, once out of cave took a long breath and cheered all Mizo kalawme.
Moses came out last and asked who wishes to enter & check into another adjoining cave. Many were in shocking silence trying to understand and few said wow! Yeah. So we had to rush fast to check for the second cave. 15 out of 20 checked the entrance of cave & they have done that cave. The other few crazy participants went inside, rather crawled inside. It was about 30 feet dia area with head room varying from 1 foot to max 2 feet. It was all crawling with heads down. Could see an erosion rock. It develops up by falling of leaking drops of water, where water evaporates up leaving behind minerals. This takes a natural shape of similar to sivalinga. It seamed as this could explain the formation of so many sivalingas in many caves. We had a very delicious dinner on reaching the camp, probably as our young camp leader Remtluanga had recently completed his hotel management and became a volunteer for this expedition. As this camp was close to hill peak, we could see the big aizwal hill in night with numerous city lights on. My spectacles got broken at caving, but still could could enjoy this lovely view.
Day 5 started again with uphill trek to reach hill top and cliff. It was beautiful and clear 360 degree view. It was now trek down and flat through top of cliff, jungles, village to reach a stream side camp in deep forest. Early dinner, early sunset & early sleep were now a routine. A few of us Polash, Prasad, Munna and me broke the routine last part & carried out a loud joke session in deep dark forests.
To start trek for our last camp it was day 6. Through thick jungles many of got a leech bite. we were now down a river, to take off clothes and check leech on each other. Swimming in river, crossing river & uphill climb. Our last camp had good view and was just away from forest near a stream. We had some mizo dishes in dinner and continued by dancing and singing session. Dutta, Eric, Sonu, Munna, Prasad, Polash & many did all type of dance and singing.
The final day, 7th day was going down from a village to a bridge. The suspension bridge almost in an abondened state, but used by villagers consistantly could take the load of one person at a time. Crossed the bridge & uphill to reach the road. The trek was over followed by cheer & photo session. Dancing and waving through a bus to hostel. Time to depart and cheers for Moses, Mizo Guides, Camp Leaders, Local Mizos, Sports Ministry of Mizoram, State Youth Hostel Organisers, YHAI & all the participants from various states for such a memorable, adventurous & learning time.
Lots of myths about north east states were debugged & could say Mizo locals form a very advanced society in India. They are very helpful & always enjoying. Would like to come here again shortly.
Lots of myths about north east states were debugged & could say Mizo locals form a very advanced society in India. They are very helpful & always enjoying. Would like to come here again shortly.
