Jumping off a 20-ft-high cliff, skirting dangerous rapids, they do it all with aplomb. Smriti Sharma returns from the star-studded 'High on Life' rally
Our adrenaline started pumping the moment we got an invite to take part in the Nautica Navigators-High on Life Rally. But the actual journey turned out to be a real test for the adventurous soul — for it required a lot of wit, energy and presence of mind to go through the entire rally which started on April 28. Running in its second year, this first-ever rally from the city, saw two teams participating. So tighten your seat belts for an on and off road drive, packed with excitement and thrill! Flagging off Let us make things clear for you right at the beginning. This was not a rally in which one was required to race against time. Instead the format for this one was Time Space Rally, which means plenty of calculations in consonance with the given speed and distance chart. We were taken to Karnal, which was the meeting point for the Delhi and Chandigarh teams. Our team had Maninder, Priyanka and Neeraj. We met our Delhi counterparts and we were briefed about routes and our destinations. | (L to R) Soap stars Chetan Hansraj, Rajesh Khera & Kavita Kaushik. |
This turned out to be quite a celeb-packed rally, for we had reigning heart throb of small screen Rajiv Khandelwal of Kahin To Hoga and Left Right Left fame, Rajesh Khera, Kavita Kaushik, Chetan Hansraj, Deepraz Rana, Aparna Kumar, Viraf Patel (former Grasim Mr India) and Fredie Daruwala (former Grasim Mr India Photogenic and first runner up in Haywards Mr India 2007) and a handful of journos from Delhi and Mumbai as well. The second leg started from Karnal, that took us to Virat Khai, a camp-site around 25 km ahead of Chakrata in Uttranchal. Goof-ups After doing the necessary calculations (by the navigator of course), our confidence levels went up. When we finally reached Virat Khai at around 6 pm, we were greeted with a breathtaking view. Our tents were set up in the middle of the beautiful valley surrounded by high mountains. We were given luxurious tents (it had an attached loo and a shower). The excitement was all time high which could be gauged from the fact that even before the 7 am wake up call the next morning, everyone was up and ready for the adventure part of the rally. Around 9 am, we headed towards Yamuna bridge where adventure started in the true sense. The activities were designed by Great Indian Outdoors (GIO). Bridge Slithering was the first one. It demanded all of us to jump from the bridge, which was about (hold your breath!) 70 ft high. Of course, we were required to wear the safety equipment, including a life jacket, a safety helmet and the harness and the bailey tied across before taking the plunge into the icy cold water. It was just the first brush with danger. There were more to come. But before that we all needed nourishment, so headed straight to the luncheon table, laid for us by the riverside. After a little rest we started with the last lap. From there to Khoonigarh, a stone's throw from Mori (about 140 km from Mussorie), set amidst towering pine and deodar trees by the river Tons, it took us another about four hours to reach. Nonetheless, the drive turned out to be worth the patience when we saw our campsite right at the banks of the Tons. Adventure galore After catching up with some sleep in our tents (no more luxury tent— no electricity, no water, only lanterns and dry pits), we were all charged up for the next day. We were given a few directions and the participants were to reach natural pool in the river on their own. "Reach on time or else lose," was the instruction. Needless to say, we took up the challenge. And after trekking a few mountains and big rocks, crossed through water streams, we finally reached the place where we were to cross the neck-deep water with the help of a rope. Life jackets came handy again and after falling a few times on the moss-laden rocks, the teams reached the point where we were to jump from a 20 ft high cliff—straight into the water. Though everyone was wet and tired, the excitement to go in for white-water rafting, kept us going. We started in a mini bus to reach the rafting point. The Tons, we learnt, is one of the most challenging rivers with high rapids. This was the point everyone's team spirit was put to test. In all, eight rafts carried the participants. While we paved our way through some strong rapids that have names like long horn, sharp horn, good morning and jell-o-well, the kayaks moved even faster ensuring the safety of the rafters. Once the guide of the raft carrying the television stars, saw a big rapid and shouted at them to get down. Rajesh Khera, heard it and jumped. Following Khera, Chetan Hansraj also jumped. It was moment of panic. But we all came through it. hahaha......bhargav!😆............aww god ............he's too funny........he actually jumped out into that cold water n all his team-mates followed suit.........seems like this guy cant be trusted in real life too............hehe.........this was tooooo funny...........i cant stop laughing😆😆 After rafting for about two hours, we reached our campsite. That night awards were given. Though initially there were only three categories: winning team, first and second runners up, but Sumeet Yadav, business head, Nautica, coined two new categories. A dipstick award for the silliest deed and an award for the most (mis)happening team. Though dipstick award had two nominees, Rajesh Khera for jumping and Sumeet who mistakenly carried the car keys of another team, the award went to Sumeet. The team who bagged the award for the most (mis)happening went to Kavita Kaushik, Natasha, Deepraz and Rajiv Khandelwal. 😭😭 oye deepraz n rajeev were in the same team.........huh saari gadbad baaki sab ne hi ki hogi😆😆 The journey ended but the fond memories will be etched in our hearts forever.
thanx for the article nehu dear
luv,
vandu😉
link of the article
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070506/ttlife1.htm#1
Edited by togepe30 - 18 years ago
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Advocate Anjali Awasthi
