The Summit of Sela Pass

We achieved our first climb together to a high pass – Sela Pass at 4200 mts / 13700 ft with cold winds and rain accompanying us as we biked, pushed, heaved our way to the top of one of the highest motor-able passes in Arunachal past breathtaking landscapes.

While this was one of the many high passes I have climbed, the real hero of this expedition has been Ashim. Her incredible feat is no ordinary one. She joins a fistful of Indian women who have cycled all the way to the top of a high altitude pass, unsupported, on a bicycle with a full load of 20 kgs plus a 18 kgs bike. She was chased by a Yak in a scary incident which I have never experienced, saved only by a long army convoy that drove past as the Yak was beginning its attack, experienced some high altitude sickness at 13000 ft and just sat on the ground. I gave her some meds and vey sweet trail mix. The med and the sugar worked, and half a hour later she was up on her feet, pushing hard against the cold headwind sweeping down the pass. The road twisted and turned and we counted at least 12 hairpins in just 7 kms.

Finally at 2 pm we reached Sela Pass and immediately went inside into the cosy and warm SSB facility camp/ cafeteria which is also open to civilians. Manoj, a JCO with the SSB was a heaven sent man and he was very very helpful and hospitable. He made us lots of hot tea and it did wonders for our cold bodies. Sela Pass itself was misty, cold, wet, grey and barren and it continued to intensify to rain as we sat inside the barrack drinking tea. It was nearing 3 pm and the day was close to ending at 4.30 as the sun sets really early, and this was adding to my anxiety about Ashim. Her brush with High Altitude sickness had me concerned and camping at the pass was something I could not risk. We had to descend to Jang, 30 kms away and we decided to accompany six other jawans who were rushing off to another base in a pickup near Jang. The road to Jang was all downhill to 10,000 ft and some of it was in terrible condition for the initial 7 to 8 kms. That itself would have taken us an hour and while I was not pleased with having taken a ride, I was also aware that safety comes first and on the mountain there is no room for bravado when the weather is not being supportive.