Sach Passed

Crossing Sach Pass cant be that easy. There has to be much more to it. Its for something that Sach Pass is considered tough.

Hurdle 1: Satrundi Post

The Police men was adamant on not letting us go beyond. The had only one reason, fresh heavy snowfall since afternoon. Somehow none of us were convinced about that. The whether looked perfectly OK. Rajinikant and his friends got into light arguments with the constables. Mr.Om Pal appeared out of nowhere. He introduced me to the Sub Inspector, the seniormost guy currently posted there. Mr. Om knew how desperate I was to see the Sach Pass, he conveyed the same to his senior. After sometime me and Om bhaisahab somehow convinced the Sub inspector to let us through. He would let us through on one condition,only if any vehicles showup from the Pangi side. Another jeep, the one with 14 passengers was waiting to go . The driver of that didn't even bother to speak after a NO from the policemen and was prepared to turnback.

A vehicle appeared at the top, which was a Mahindra Maxx. The SI quickly added "Dekho, gaadiyan wapas aa rahi hai"
Me,"Yeh Pangi ki gaadi hai , subah se koi Maxx gayi nahi hai yahan se"


The SI too knew that and he was just pulling my leg there. The driver of Maxx informed that small Vehicles and pick ups can easily crossover to the other side and there was no snowfall in the afternoon. Just as we were video taped another vehicle appeared at the top. It was after two days, vehicles were arriving from Pangi. By 4pm we started from Satrundi. The kid in me had taken control of the body. An hour and half later we reached the top and that was the moment of the trip. Also , it was my first encounter with snow. We did not spend more tha 5 minutes at the top and continued with the journey. A pick up was stuck in snow and its driver was struggling alone. Rajinikant and his male friends got down to help him while I walked towards the Bhoot Ground.

Bhoot Ground: As one descends from the top towards Pangi, one comes across a flat ground where there is a huge cube- rock with a deep cut in the center from the top. The locals believe that the rock comes to life when the the pass is inaccessible. The goddess at Pass transforms the demon back into rock when the pass opens in summer. To support their claim, they say that the rock changes its position every year.

Within few minutes the jeep arrived and at bhoot ground we faces a big, very big hurdle.

Hurdle 2: Bhoot Ground

Since the day before, I've been hearing the news of a tipper being stuck at the bhoot ground and the driver had abandoned it. Another trucker trying to pass the tipper, was also stuck midway. The poor driver and his helper tried everything from their books but the truck just wouldn't start. This incident happened when our guys were helping the pick up driver, had they not stopped there we would have been on our way to Pangi.

"Chalo chalte hai Bogatu"
"Gaadi kaise nikalegi "
"Paidal chalenge"
"Mei nahi aa raha. Mere pass toh Joothe bhi nahi hai."
"Woh toh hai lekin raat toh Jot mei nahi kaat sakte"

The other bolero arrived . Four guys from that jeep picked up their bags started their descend. There was a path just wide enough for a bolero to pass,but even that was snowed . But there was a very narrow section 2 ft in length. Soon few more guys from the other jeep got out with their bags and were about to begin their descend. The trucker came with a idea. What a simple and brilliant one it was !

There were few big stones (1/2 ft.diameter approx). The idea was to place the spare wheel on the ground and place the stones on it and hold using manpower til the vehicles pass.  Not many were convinced including me. An old gentleman in the other jeep convinced all of us with one point. There is not other way, so this is the best way.

Step 1: Clear the snow accumulated at the corners.
Reason : Jeep has to run over the snow. If there is wheel-spin , then there are chances of vehicle getting stuck,closing the pass for rest of season. That done proceed to next step.

Step 2: Build a 2x2x2 road. All 8 men from both the jeeps were out. Spare wheel on the ground , few big stones on it and a wooden plank later the road was ready.

 Step 3: Drive over the road built by us. four people held the road as if their life depended on it. Rajinikant went first and crossed in a hurry . The other driver wasn't willing to take a chance, Rajinikant true to his name, crossed in a hurry again.

Step 4: Dismantle the road we built and put the spare wheel back in the truck.

This process almost lasted an hour.But all was not over,there was another hurdle.

Hurdle 3: One steep climb.

There is a steep ascend after the bhoot ground, now add 3-4 inches of snow to it.
First Attempt: little climb, wheel spinning and skidding.
Reversed and Second Attempt : Same story.
Third Attempt: The ladies in our jeep occupied the last row seats,4 of us hung on to the back of the jeep and with little fishtailing completed that small but steep climb.

No more hurdles. From here onwards reaching Killar was more of a formality. By 7 we were at Bogatu , sipping hot tea made by. Bogatu is a police camp , just 2 tents big . The drive to Killar was bumpy, but that didn't matter. Sach Pass ho gaya. Reached Pangi by 9. I was dropped at this Rs. 20 dorm bang opposite to the bus stand, for which inhabitable is an understatement. Rajinikant and one of his friend came back after half an hour to say that there was no hotel available as the speaker of HP assembly and his guests had occupied all the lodges. With no other option I had to settle for the dorm. The owner was kind enough to give me a new quilt, at least it looked new. Luckily I was carrying blankets (couple of them). Spread them on the ground for a good night and great sleep.