This is a story of failure, well sort of failure. Snow fell through the evening. Everything looked white. We left camp around 2 AM to get to the #viewpoint1 of the #goechala via #samitilake. About a third of the way, just before Samiti Lake, I started feeling cold. Cold like I have never felt before. It was as if I was freezing solid starting with my fingers. Every step was a marathon. Ami wasn’t feeling too good as well. We decided to return. A bit disappointed perhaps. Sometimes you push your body, this for us wasn’t the right time or place. As we hiked back to base camp dawn broke over the monochrome landscape. The sky filled with colour and that removed any remorse. I rested for a bit and immediately felt better. In half an hour so I felt my shivers disappear and went out exploring. I was truly alone in this walk. The few people who remained in camp snuggled in their sleeping bags. Our mules were around though, their bells providing welcome aural relief. Alone, but never lonely. I wandered around, walked to the Prek river, and marvelled at the fluffy snow that lay on the juniper shrubs. I waited for the first rays of sunlight to kiss the summit of #kanchenjunga. Diffused sunlight changed first to oblique rays and then to harsh direct light. A transformation swept the landscape. Sharp shadows of the ridge on the east made the ridge on the west look like jagged teeth of some primeval dragon. The shadow, the cold grey rock, and the azure sky are a thing of harsh contrast, a strange beauty. The snow on the ground started to disappear, not melt. It was as if snow sublimated. Very quickly the monochrome landscape first turned sepia. Warmth returned with the browns, oranges and reds as the last of the snow vanished. And as if the disappearance of the snow was a signal, clouds returned to reclaim the high peaks. Viewing hours were over, now it would be a game of hide and seek. Slowly the camp stirred to life, our cooks and helpers offered their morning prayers with juniper smoke. The rest of the gang returned after completing the ascent to Viewpoint 1. I am proud of them. What amazing people you meet in the wilderness. #goechala #himalaya #sikkim #trekking (at Lamuney) https://www.instagram.com/p/COmZHNJJ1LI/?igshid=1x4cqy29dzuji