I talk about my ski and mountain hols all the time... and as I have just discovered, it gives off the impression that I am permanently on mountain holidays. While that sounds like a delectable way to live (and I’ll get there one day) I’d just like to mention we did close 2 deals in the last 2 months and things are motoring along well at Gaboli. Gulmarg this time (or actually as always) was glorious. On my 2nd and last trip of this season I knew I had better do all the cross country runs and high gradient slopes while I still could. Being there solo and left to my machinations only made life easier for me. While the snow condition at this time of the year was not the best to ski on (lot of wet snow instead of dry powder) we got a good 6 inches second day into my trip and that helped a lot.
I’d done a lot of Nursery, Church & Cherry and Highland Slopes (ref map attached!) in the last 2 trips. I also came down from Gondola phase 1 in Jan 2009. The idea this time was to max the cross country runs down from Gujjar hut and do the champion style ‘beta’ slopes above Khilanmarg & Gujjar Hut. These are the 1.5km plus slopes where you can really race down with the proverbial wind whistling in your ears and cold air that cuts through you. So though it took a couple of days to actually get around to doing it like a champion I think we managed well. Typical to any skill or sport the harder you work at it the luckier you get and the more you enjoy it. So I think the hours practicing on the cherry and church slopes on day 2 and all the herring bone up the slopes when the snow scooters / ski lifts gave up helped. God made it snow, one was tired enough to minimize energy spend and perfect one's technique coming down and there was a general sense of accomplishment at the end of it all. So... while on the first day the steep gradient on beta shook me up a little as all the technique seemed to desert me when I needed it, by the end of the trip I was racing people down the same slope almost effortlessly. And of course I was completely spoilt by undivided attention from the instructor, groomed slopes and marginal ski traffic. While the snow condition was not the best to ski on it’s beauty remains undiminished. One could just stand and soak it in for hours on end. At the ski slopes high above camp the views were gorgeous. I’ve never had such clear views of Nanga Parbat, the twin peaks of Nun Kun and Harmukh earlier. This is despite a 4 hours trek in the fall last year up to the Apharwat massif just to get great views! Having said that, all that skiing also meant really sore arms and calves! If it had not been for the hour long massage on Sunday I don’t think I’d have lasted to day 3 & 4. Skiing apart it was certainly good to be back for my 4th trip to Gulmarg. The house felt luxuriously familiar and walking around camp there were enough people to wave to, shake hands with and hug. The mountain people always touch your heart. The humility, maturity and sheer peace around them is inspiring. And these are guys who are seriously accomplished – lead the army ski team, have won multiple medals for gallantry, conspicuous bravery and rescue but are completely and disarmingly charming. It always reminds me deeply of who I want to be or what kind of person I want to end up as. And I know I am saner for my mountain trips... Back in Delhi to a delectable biryani lunch sent in by the neighbours (they’re awesome) polished off with dark chocolate with coffee thanks to the irreplaceable Nandeeta Seth. The love of my life Vidur Chopra is back in town too... Life’s not too bad eh? Just need to work hard another few months till the next trip comes up!
I’d done a lot of Nursery, Church & Cherry and Highland Slopes (ref map attached!) in the last 2 trips. I also came down from Gondola phase 1 in Jan 2009. The idea this time was to max the cross country runs down from Gujjar hut and do the champion style ‘beta’ slopes above Khilanmarg & Gujjar Hut. These are the 1.5km plus slopes where you can really race down with the proverbial wind whistling in your ears and cold air that cuts through you. So though it took a couple of days to actually get around to doing it like a champion I think we managed well. Typical to any skill or sport the harder you work at it the luckier you get and the more you enjoy it. So I think the hours practicing on the cherry and church slopes on day 2 and all the herring bone up the slopes when the snow scooters / ski lifts gave up helped. God made it snow, one was tired enough to minimize energy spend and perfect one's technique coming down and there was a general sense of accomplishment at the end of it all. So... while on the first day the steep gradient on beta shook me up a little as all the technique seemed to desert me when I needed it, by the end of the trip I was racing people down the same slope almost effortlessly. And of course I was completely spoilt by undivided attention from the instructor, groomed slopes and marginal ski traffic. While the snow condition was not the best to ski on it’s beauty remains undiminished. One could just stand and soak it in for hours on end. At the ski slopes high above camp the views were gorgeous. I’ve never had such clear views of Nanga Parbat, the twin peaks of Nun Kun and Harmukh earlier. This is despite a 4 hours trek in the fall last year up to the Apharwat massif just to get great views! Having said that, all that skiing also meant really sore arms and calves! If it had not been for the hour long massage on Sunday I don’t think I’d have lasted to day 3 & 4. Skiing apart it was certainly good to be back for my 4th trip to Gulmarg. The house felt luxuriously familiar and walking around camp there were enough people to wave to, shake hands with and hug. The mountain people always touch your heart. The humility, maturity and sheer peace around them is inspiring. And these are guys who are seriously accomplished – lead the army ski team, have won multiple medals for gallantry, conspicuous bravery and rescue but are completely and disarmingly charming. It always reminds me deeply of who I want to be or what kind of person I want to end up as. And I know I am saner for my mountain trips... Back in Delhi to a delectable biryani lunch sent in by the neighbours (they’re awesome) polished off with dark chocolate with coffee thanks to the irreplaceable Nandeeta Seth. The love of my life Vidur Chopra is back in town too... Life’s not too bad eh? Just need to work hard another few months till the next trip comes up!
No comments:
Post a Comment