This was the day we would reach the summit, so we began early. By 3 AM, we had finished breakfast and packed our lunches for the journey ahead. As we were getting ready, we noticed another group of trekkers on the mountains with their torches, already 30 to 45 minutes into their trek. We quickly got our own torches strapped to our foreheads, put on an extra layer of clothing, anticipating the cold at higher altitudes, and secured our bags to our backs. Although we were starting our trek in the dark, we had glimpsed the climb the day before—a daunting incline that seemed to rise at a 45-degree angle, if not steeper.

Starting around 4 AM, we trekked in a single line, staying close to the group. Our torches guided us as we carefully placed each step, especially when crossing slippery stones in the streams. About 15 minutes in, I began to sweat and had to shed the extra layer of clothing I was wearing, eventually reducing to just one t-shirt. The path was steep, so we moved slowly and steadily in a zigzag pattern, taking few halts. Around 5 AM, as the sky began to brighten, we looked back and realized just how far we had come from our campsite. At that altitude, we could hear the sounds of birds chirping and flying overhead, a surprising and welcome presence.

As we continued, we overtook the other trekking group. After a short break, we encountered snow patches that were slippery to walk on. Though we had carried the microspikes, we didn’t end up using them—the snow, only two days old, was fresh and manageable with some caution. As we climbed higher, the views became increasingly breathtaking. After navigating several snow patches and tackling the steep ascent, we finally reached Bhaba Pass around 7:45 AM.

Standing at 4,915 meters (16,100 feet), the pass offered a surreal sense of achievement and evoked strong emotions. From our vantage point, the landscape was divided between lush, green mountains on one side and a more barren, brown expanse on the other. The pass itself was blanketed in a pristine layer of snow, creating a stunning white carpet. We spent about 45 minutes there, soaking in the magnificent views and capturing the beauty of this remarkable place with our cameras.