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A very early start with a cup of tea at 0400 hours to prepare us for the sunrise. Unfortunately, the weather was bad and the cloud and mist surrounded our trekkers hut. Most of the team went with the weather call and went back to bed. For the foolhardy it was a drink, dress, depart for the viewpoint. The local dogs barked and followed the strangers and the cockerel announced the pending sunrise. The cloud cleared briefly to reveal the steep climb of yesterday and some ridges running away to the south, still sleeping and almost covered in a blanket of heavy mist. A cuckoo called from down the valley and a closer one replied before the full dawn chorus started the day for the local birds. The temperature and mist ensured that the trip was short.
Back in the hut breakfast and planning filled the next couple of hours. We had already discussed splitting the team due to the number of people suffering from various stomach related illnesses, the causes of which could have been numerous. Today we had 6 out of 10 requiring rest or total bed-rest. The decision was taken to stay another day at Sandhakpu and rest the majority of the team. We would take a short cut to get back on track tomorrow. The 4 lucky ones went out for a 12km walk in the mist. The visibility rarely got above 50m. The trekkers stopped for lunch at a non-existent lake and soon became surrounded by about 30 low-land Yaks grazing their way through lunch. The calves charged around and chased each other without concern but the adults were more cautious. On the way back the team stopped at a hilltop shrine and waited for the views that never came.
The team back at base rested and took time to sort out personal equipment and plan the major trek in Sikkim. One of the team helped the Sirdar, (our guide and support team leader) Tega, to prepare the food for the horsemen. He prepared the vegetables and stoked the fire as the Dhal Bat cooked and the room filled with smoke. When the rest of the team had rested they gathered at the dinning table and started the Himalayan Jenga championships. The cook team were enthralled by the game and stood around waiting for the fall and the cheers. Both our guides are completely hooked on Jenga. Later in the afternoon everyone prepared for the next day’s travel and listened to the roar of the thunder in the distance. Nine of the team made it to the dinner table with one still confined to bed.
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