A triumphant return from the Markha Valley trek!
At Kang Yaze
Jullay to our friends and family!
Yesterday morning we completed our eight day trek through the glorious Markha Valley, and returned to our home base in Leh, Kidar Guesthouse. Sunshine and apple pie awaited us, and everyone has been catching up on much needed rest, laundry and emails. Spirits are high, but it is bittersweet to contemplate our goodbye to Ladakh tomorrow morning. After three weeks exploring this beautiful region, we will return to Delhi to begin the next phase of our journey together. But first, to recount the trek ...
Our trek began in Chilling, at an atitude of approximately 12,000 feet above sea level, and culminated with the final crossing of Kang Yaze pass at more than 17,000 feet. For eight days and seven nights we followed the River Markha through valleys of willow, poplar and seabuckthorn, all turning brilliant shades of autumn gold, orange and red with each passing day.
A veteran trekker in big mountains, both as a participant and as a leader, I have yet to see a group perform as beautifully as our Global LAB group did on this trip. To every reader out there, you should all be incredibly proud of each of our students. Emilie, Nora, Raul, Hannah, Nate, Annie and Andrew have officially conquered the Himalayas, unleashing their inner rock star and uber-traveler.
Each day, our students shifted roles: Leader of the Day; Hydration & Sunscreen; Alark Clock & Tea; Sani-Walla; Blister Kit; Medic; and Dishwasher. These roles of the day formed the skeleton of our trek, and transferred leadership responsibility to all. Day after day, everyone met these roles with grace and strength, and their combined leadership power fueled the trip. Adherence to these roles also provided the ground for the high standard of safety and hygiene to which we, as an organization, adhere in the back country - and aside from a few passing stomach upsets, our trek was illness and injury-free. The humor, support and group encouragement that manifested no all sides lightened the heaviest of loads, and I'm proud to say that we laughed and played our way safely to the top.
The physical challenges, emotional support, ridiculous camp games, singalongs, Punjabi dance parties, heartfelt daily debriefs and endless cups of tea that we shared on the trek have brought the group to a new level of closeness and inter-connectedness. Global LAB believes the trekking element to be one of the most significant and fundamental parts of our program, precisely for this reason. I have heard our students say again and again how proud they are, both of themselves and the group for all that they have accomplished thus far. Even though three weeks have barely passed, already our students have finished their first rural homestay, learned to communicate in Ladakhi language, and ascended a Himalayan mountain pass!
And, of course, the magic continues.
Tomorrow morning, we fly back to Delhi for an afternoon visit to the newly rebuilt New Delhi Modern Art Museum, a stroll under the famous India Gate, and dinner in Connaught Circus. Thursday morning, we board an early morning train to Agra, the site of the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Photos en route! That evening, we will travel by jeep to Bharatpur, where we will spend two days exploring the legendary Mughal ghost town of Fatepur Sikri, and Keolodeo National Park. Then, we are only a short busride to Jaipur, our home for the following three weeks. On Saturday afternoon, our students will move into their second homestay of the trip, and begin Hindi language lessons right away!
More, much more to come, and soon.
Namaste!
Jackie Dennis
Program Director
