the streamlined version of Rajeev

Here is how i look there days with a shaved head

sports climbing and market

We went to the market yesterday in the institute bus to buy essentials for which we got 60 minutes . A rain sheet, woolen socks and gloves , some sun block was all i needed and I spent the balance time available to get my head shaved . We were to go some 17 days without a bath in high altitude soon and a shaved head meant that much lesser effort to maintain a semblance of personal hygiene .
We had a tougher morning exercise session and went through practice sessions on rope coiling and knots with aching muscles . Soon it was time to climb artificial walls and I did manage to top the easiest one in good time before lunch was called . We are going back for the rest of the walls now .

NIM mess

This is the mess where we are getting our food . No comments on the stuff we get !

hill walk !

As part of toughening up exercises, daily morning walks like this leave everyone (except the special forces and locals) gasping for air.

tehri town is gone!

The town of tehri lies submerged now after the dam got commissioned . Pic taken on the way to uttarkashi.

initial impressions

The days are hectic . We got up at 0430 and fell in formation with loaded rucksacks for a 2 hr trek at 0545! Soon we were huffing and puffing up steep trails and gained 1400 ft in 45 min . We had exercises in a clearing in midst of pine trees and were back in time for breakfast . Classes and demos are on till 8 pm and we have sports climbing tomorrow . A market visit is on today to buy essentials

first day

Date: 24/04/2008 14:21

Woke up at 0430 as alarms started sounding on our mobiles and watches. We were 6 in a room on 3 x 2 bunk beds and the guys on top started jumping down . Soon people were pulling on their shoes and moving to mess to get tea . Tea was in a container and steel glasses were stacked on the counter . Tea was tepid and sweet and soon we were back in our room, getting ready for PT for which we assembled at 0550 . We were quickly split in groups of 15 each , allotted an instructor and we were off , jogging down the hill and going through exercises which were tough on the first day on almost all of us . Members from the armed forces did better as they were physically fitter . I did ok and was in the top 3rd . Only blemish was dropping out after 10 push ups!
Came to know during briefing that sat phone will be available in the base camp but cell phone would not work . We were divided into groups of 7 called ropes and i was made leader of rope 11. Now we are together for next 28 days . We are I.James from tamilnadu, Spandan from west bengal, kp singh and sukhbir from an adventure camping company in nainital, Pratik and Amol from maharashtra.
We have moved together in one room and are bonding ! I am the oldest of the entire group of 77 people at 39 years while the rest of my rope are 18-19 years .