The Lost Trail of Brigdungla- Yeegetaway

 

                                                               Lost Trail Of Bridungla                                 

Consider the huge moors described in Gothic English literature as being bordered by steep peaks that have been honed by ancient rocks. They claim that here, in the fabled Yeti's homeland, people become lost. Welcome to the Brigdungla Lost Trail.

It takes four days to hike the Brigdungla trail. To get to the highest peak, which is 4600 m, you must travel through beautiful pine forests, large rhododendron plants, and a number of lakes. Locals claim that this area contains 108 dispersed lakes in addition to stunning valley vistas and a tiger habitat. Tshering Penjor, the Bumthang Dzongkhag administration's trail guide (who we soon start referring to as "TP sir"), claims that we will witness a significant amount of the views that you see along the one-month snowman journey during these four days.

Day One- Zhurey Village to Pongchen Camp

We set off on our adventure from the village of Zhura, which connects to the Ura bypass route and is located 28 kilometres from Chamkhar town. TP Sir asks, "Are you ready for the trek madam?" He's doing this trail for the third time, and he looks really eager to do it again. "The first group sent to scout the trail with the village guide had a tough time," TP sir says. We practically dug our knees deep into the snow to find the ground because it was early spring. He displays images from the initial expeditions to me. "We almost got lost!" he exclaims.

It seems to reason that Brigdungla is among Bhutan's least-known locations. Many Bumthaps have expressed their concern about getting lost in the dense forests of the highlands, where the wilderness has now completely supplanted all previous pathways. I question TP Sir as to why the districts selected a route with a fictitious Trail. We had been hearing about this location from locals for some time. And when we arrived here, we were really enthralled.

Day Two- Pongchen to Tsemchi Campsite

I awaken at five in the morning to the sound of pots clanging outside. Do I dream this? As I stare at the early-morning countryside, which is diluted with the sort of pink gradient you see in paintings, I had a thought. As the morning sun's rays gradually fill the sky, the pinkish colour gradually changes. The TP gentleman announces, "Today we will leave the treeline." "We're going into the bushes. Excitedly, he continues, "We will be passing by multiple lakes as we travel through the rhododendron gardens.

We reach the top of the ridges that TP sir had obliquely pointed at at the beginning of the journey as the surroundings began to change. From a distance, what appears to be a smooth, green mountain range is actually a mountain of boulders covered with prickly bushes. Only fleeting glimpses of the vast landscape are visible as the rolling mist continues to close in. These are more than you can possibly conceive; these are not the lush, velvety meadows you see on postcards.

Day Three Brigdungla Mountain

If you ever visit Brigdungla, you must stay an additional day at the second campsite on the trek's highest point close to Phola. We did just that, then. The following morning, when we awaken to a stunning panoramic view of the ridges surrounding our camp, we are eager to investigate the view from atop them. After a filling breakfast, we find ourselves literally crawling up the high slopes.

As we progressively climb the steep slopes, I tell myself, "Don't look down," and before long, our camp is nothing more than a collection of far-off blue dots.We haven't even reached the midway point and I already feel rather exhausted.TP Sir inquires, "Do you know why mountain goats turn around as they are climbing?"It's because they look at the distance travelled with pride. Therefore, you should always reflect on your past and be proud of how far you have come. Don't be concerned about how much is left to come.

Day Four Tsemchi Camp to Wongbu Camp

After saying goodbye to Phola, we began our four-hour descent towards our next camp in Wongbu at 4090m. As we make our way down into the treeline zone again,in a small opening on top of the mountain,stands one more log cabin built by the residents of Bim Village. The full moon and the burning campfire create the perfect lighting,illuminating the beautiful structure in the darkness of the mountains. It’s windy and cold but we find our warmth and solace inside this beautiful addition to the Brigdungla trek.

As we sit around the fire, Ata Tashi and Tshering emerge from the woods with buttermilk and fresh yak butter.” We got this from the yak herder family just below these mountains,” they tell us as they begin unwrapping the giant rhododendron leaves with the fresh butter inside. I get even more excited when TP sir says we’ll be visiting the family tomorrow morning. Suddenly,the team has a wild idea of roasting potatoes in the fire and eating them with the yak butter – pure happiness.

Day Five-  Wongbu Camp to Bim Village

The Bumthang Dzongkhag team has prepared a special itinerary for us for our final day of the Brigdungla trek, including a visit to the last yak-herding family in the area, who are living in a shed at the base of the Wongbu camp hill. If you ever come across this yak herding family in Brigdungla, consider yourself extremely lucky, as they are the last of their kind to continue living this nomadic lifestyle in these mountains.

We reach the home of the family caring for these majestic beasts of the highlands after nervously making our way past a sizable herd of yaks.Two young boys are milking the yaks into white plastic buckets in the distance, while a little boy is using a rope to hold the calf. They occasionally call this stone shelter home, and smoke is rising from the chimney. A woman comes out of the shelter wearing gumboots and a bright scarf on her head.

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