Himachal Diaries, Day 3, 7th March, 2016:

woke up to very amazing weather – sunny, clear, and perfect for a hike. And: last night, it had snowed on Hatu Peak. That was all the reason I needed.
The Hatu hike in most seasons is really about the views from the Peak and the enjoyable walk up. But the Hatu hike in winter – especially after a fresh snowfall – is picture-postcard stuff. One has to be a bit cautious, ensuring your footing is assured and firm, and then it’s an enjoyable albeit slow walk up.

This little pond serves as a little skiing refresher when it freezes over. The pond is near the beautiful meadow 3-kms from the peak and this meadow doubles up as car-park and tea-noodles stall. Photo: sanjay mukherjee

The 3-km milestone

First real snow-ledge on the way up.

The sound of fresh snow slipping down the pine needles kept us company.

We were tempted to slide down the hillside.

Abhishek and Ameen urging me to giddy-up and catch up.

A postcard …

Glimpses of a clear sky and far blue mountains kept us staring into space for long stretches.

We spent almost 10 minutes just looking out over the mountainside… It comes naturally to simply stand and stare on this hike.

And what lay ahead was enticing and mysterious at the same time…

Postcard from the edge of sanity.

Funnily enough the snow makes it tough but enjoyable.

Serious snow, really serious.

Just so you understand how serious… This isn’t just a few tufts of white on a bald patch.

This is ski-slope stuff, except that it’s not a ski-slope.

The hikers wait patiently

And they wait…

Snow-bound on the road to Hatu Peak

How green and white was my valley.

The final milestone to Hatu Peak.

The stunning skyline.

A rolling clearing just before the final stretch to the Peak.

There are several breath-taking views of snow-caped peaks in every direction.