Abhishek Kaushal and Swarjit Samajpati had been in the “Kashi of the North” – Uttarkashi for the past couple of days, carrying out necessary preparations for their expedition to Mount Thelu. Yesterday morning the duo left as part of a broader expedition team for the first stage of their climb towards Mount Thelu. Their journey to the peak will take them through Gangotri, Bhojwasa, Gaumukh and on to Base Camp, intermediary camps and finally the Summit Camp. Meanwhile, Swarjit Samajpati sent us some views that caught their imagination in Uttarkashi.

A relatively relaxed stretch of the Uttarkashi market; Photo: Swarjit Samajpati

The typical narrow lanes of Indian hill town markets as seen in the Uttarkashi market; Photo: Swarjit Samajpati

Pick up the speed and rip-off as soon an empty patch appears; Photo: Swarjit Samajpati

Deciding where to go next at one of the Uttarkashi Market Squares; Photo: Swarjit Samajpati

Back to a semi-crowded lane of the Uttarkashi market; Photo: Swarjit Samajpati

The Manikarnika Ghat at Uttarkashi seems a better place to hang out; Photo: Swarjit Samajpati

Seeing a small crowd at the Manikarnika Ghat in Uttarkashi gives us the incentive to stick around longer; Photo: Swarjit Samajpati

Just in time to catch a beautiful sunset amidst the ubiquitous cellphone towers at the Manikarnika Ghat in Uttarkashi; Photo: Swarjit Samajpati

Watching the common folk busy with different activities during sunset at the Manikarnika Ghat in Uttarkashi; Photo: Swarjit Samajpati

The effect of the 2014 floods can still be seen from the Manikarnika Ghat in Uttarkashi; Photo: Swarjit Samajpati