July 18, 2016.
After visiting #KeyMonastery, Parvinder started off for #Kibber. Somewhere along the way, we met another car with tourists and as is the norm, the drivers stopped for a few seconds, talking about their routes, road conditions, passengers et al.
And someone from the other car’s backseat asked: “So what’s at Kibber? There was nothing,” sounding a bit miffed.
Soon we were on our way, and as I now look out at the vast Himalayas, the fresh air, the river, streams, clear blue sky, pristine white clouds, the eons-old Rock Formations, and as I think of the prospect of spotting an Ibex or Yak or Golden Eagle, the idea of sitting on a green fresh meadow on a slope 13000 feet above sea level, the hope of meeting new people and maybe tasting local preparations, I am wondering how all this qualifies as ‘nothing’.
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Kibber is a tiny Himalayan village. At one point in time, it used to be famous for having the highest motorable road to a village; (Today that transient honour has shifted a bit higher); however, Kibber used to be and still very much is an arterial route for those using their own two feet to get places – it’s an important pass-through point on several treks, providing entry to Ladakh among other places.
Personally, I can see three mountains and their crests and peaks that are calling me, and I figure I could spend a month here, would have to in fact if I have to fulfill my intention of walking with the Ibex and meeting the snow-leopards in the vicinity – they aren’t exactly going to appear on demand much as I might will it… I will have to walk and patiently pick up their trail.
The houses in Kibber, typical of the region, call for charcoal on a sketch pad. The birds are a chattering, animated lot and need careful attention as well.
There’s another village yonder, far away from the naked eye but visible enough to be enticing… probably a day’s hike.
From the helpful government information boards, I also understand this is a valley for Yaks.
The Wayfarer is eyeing the ranges and am guessing he’s visualising a route beyond. Chances are Kaushal and he will have a future trek itinerary in their minds by evening.
So what’s there in Kibber? A world of its own, am thinking.
