Sainik School Society organises mountaineering expedition every year for kindling the spirit of adventure among the cadets of Sainik Schools all over India. Two cadets from each sainik School are given the opportunity to participate in this venture. They choose different peaks every year for this adventure trip. This year we have been given The Friendship Peak (5289 meters) to test our mettle.
We left the school on 28th May 2017 at 1000 hrs after the breakfast. We reached Sainik School Kunjapura on 30th May 2017 at 1400 hrs. When we reached the school it was in jubilant mood as the school would be organising a farewell dinner for their outgoing principal on 31st May 2017 .
Many cadets started joining us. We were accommodated for another two days in the school. On Third of June,2017 we had flag off ceremony in the Governor’s House, Chandigarh. After the ceremony in the evening we went on bus to Manali. We reached there on 4th June,2017 and stayed in the Eco Himalayan camp at Nethrukund. Then on 5th June we had Zip line, Rappelling etc.
The next day we went for shopping to the nearby market had some leisure time. Though our plan was to leave on 7th June because of inclement weather we couldn’t proceed. So, we started on 8th June for trekking. We walked up to the base camp at Rollang. At the high altitude towards our destiny we felt terrible cold, sometimes, we felt for our parents’ presence but the communication was cut, and the cold was unbearable. The next day we crossed the next hill by name Lady leg. It was about 6-7 km and we set up a camp there. It was biting cold than before. We were issued the climbing boots and ice axe, for going up on ice. It is a training given to the participants on scaling, self arrest and erecting a tent during the expedition.
Once the training was over we were prepared to conquer the peak. The next day was the memorable one, we woke up at 4’O clock and we were fed sumptuously with dry fruits and soft drinks. At last out of 40, 38 of them made it up to the peak. It was really the happiest moment. We felt that we achieved something, a sense of satisfaction and soulfulness enveloped us and it was on 12th June. We had flag in ceremony on 19th June. After the ceremony some of them bade goodbye to us, parting was painful.
The mountaineering expedition taught us many lessons. It made us to accept the both failure and success equally. The co operative and sportive attitude among the participants while climbing made us understand the joy in appreciating the success of others. I discovered many friends, Cdt. Jiyalal and Cdt RS Bhati from SS Chittorgarh, Cdt Dheeraj and Cdt Amit from SS Golpara, Cdt Om and Cdt Roushan. They were very close to me during the camp. They were very jovial and cooperative. I miss them a lot.
We are indebted to our Escorting staff Mr. JS Gulia and Mr. Anurag. It was a mind blogging experience for me and I never forget this. My thanks goes to my beloved Principal, Vice Principal and Admin Officer above all my teachers who helped me to discover the great watchword “Never give up”.
Report by: AjayKumar Y Biradar , Roll No. 598, IX-A
