Scaling heights-- Mini - G

We headed for Himachal with spirits soaring like a dexterous F-16,
And herding the flock was the Crazy Ol’ Man with his wisdom pristine.
Inside the bogies – Master the art of gastronomy was the common code:
Punctured our olfactory senses as we loaded but forgot to unload!

The trod up to the milky Jogini falls served as a fine warm-up;
Sent a shiver of awe down the spine, as we gulped nature’s purest dollop.
All was fine till we breached the diktat – keep up the brisk pace,
The outcome – the Ol’ man tied his tongue with a tight lace!

At rock climbing and rappelling- cornucopia of efforts but lack of finesse:
At the end of it, all felt like a dying man’s brooding mistress!
The climb up to Lama Dug was no less than a Herculean task;
But the panoramic enchantment to the heart, nothing could mask.

At long last, the key to unlock the Ol’ man’s lips who had grown morose-
All stepped out for the 3-day trek, shivering till teeth shattered and froze!
As the splendid night sky befell, all kneeled down and prayed to Morpheus,
All bit the cold winds, some chewed sickness, but in sleep none found success.

As the sun lit up the horizons, we marched towards the holy Brigu Lake:
Some saw it as a mirror, while the rest barely managed to stay awake!
The shadows drew longer, alas, we couldn’t spot a single mule;
The brave hearts rushed down to get the fire wood- our only fuel.

Seemed to be mastering the acts of masochism - the Man of Steel*,
None could figure out whether the goings on was real or reel.
The Sun shone bright, lit up our faces and our throats croaked an anthem,
Whether we witnessed miracle or God played a part, I still can’t fathom!

(*Man of Steel = Crazy Ol’ Man)