Chapter 24 Base of the Cliff (1/2)

They had started to descend the path next to the cliff which was hidden by rocks. This was not a regular route for trekkers as very few people knew about it.

This descending path went around in a semi-circle and would take them to the base of the cliff as well as the base of the mountain which had its top covered in snow, which they had seen from their camp. Thereafter, they would trek to the village which was available through another ascending path. They would reach the village in 3 hours' time. The base of the cliff and the mountains on the opposite side formed a tiny valley below that they would need to walk through.

Luke had used this route a number of times. Though it was slightly dangerous, there was no chance of them encountering any bears or other dangerous wild animals on the way. But they first had to cross the shallow but wide stream to throw off their scent just to be on the safe side from the bears they had encountered early morning.

Before descending, he made everyone remove their socks and shoes and cross the shallow but wide stream with the shoes hanging around their neck tied with the shoe strings. The socks were placed in each pair of shoes. After crossing the stream, they all dried their feet in the air and then put on their socks and shoes.

Thereafter, they made their way to the rocks which hid the descending path. Here he made all of them walk in a single file with ropes tied. He led followed by the 5 girls and then Zia after she followed the 5 boys and then last was Sherpa.

”Why do we need to tie the rope while descending, is it not tied when you ascend a mountain?” Chris asked.

”Good observation Chris,” Luke replied and added, ”Chris, just see the sheer drop. If the ropes are not tied then if anyone falls he will fall too far down, the fall can be fatal too. If the person is tied, he will not fall far and can be easily hauled up.”

Luke further suggested that descend be done slowly; there was no need to rush. They all should keep their mind and body to the task of descending. Hands should be in touch with the cliff side like they were touching a wall looking for handholds (not footholds as their feet were on the ground), their hands were to be touching the side of the cliff. The minute they felt a huge tug on the rope, they were to shout, as probably the tug would mean someone had slipped or sat down.They were not to walk as if they were walking at a fashion parade.

Slow and study like a tortoise they walked going to the left then to the right and were almost halfway down when they saw someone walking on the side of the mountain just below the snowline. It looked like a tall man about three times in height but covered in hair.

They all started whispering ”Yeti, Yeti!”

Yes, it was a Yeti and it was huge, had a slight humped body. The arms were really long coming right up to his knees. The hands were curved it seems. The creature turned his head towards them as if sensing that he was being observed. They all could see his face, it was a mixture of human and ape. But it was a shy type of a creature and as soon as it sensed that it was being observed by so many people, he ran away.

They had been walking for an hour now. So a halt was made for a few minutes to rest, to drink water or just to talk. After 15 minutes of rest, they started to descend again and within another hour, they had touched the base of the cliff. What a relief it was for everyone.

Luke told Sherpa to help remove the tied ropes. Now they all could walk at ease.

The base area of the cliff and the start of the mountains on the other side comprise a good stretch and it went on and on both ways. This was a tiny valley but it seemed more like a dried up river bed. It was full of pebbles and rocks but quite walkable. Perhaps the boulders had been removed by some people as it seemed that people had been using this 'smooth pebbled road'.

A small stream was flowing on the cliff side. Probably the water from the stream from their stream at the camp had filtered through the hill comprising rocks and sand to reach this pebbled area.

Sherpa came over to Luke in order to ask something but he raised his eyebrows and gestured with his hands indirectly asking him if he had talked to Zia or not. Sherpa would laugh at him and tease him definitely tonight when they reached the village and camped there. Luke pretended he had not understood.