u/boywithaskulltattoo

Was feeding my dog and I noticed this Mama Cat staring straight at his food. From the looks of it she's lactating and looked hungry so we gave her an egg, some yogurt mixed with chicken broth and kibble and she went on her merry way.

Reminder: Don't give them milk. If you want to, get goat milk or dry goat milk powder. They cannot digest lactose from cows/buffaloes.

I did Yulla Kanda last year and now that the season is clearing up again, I thought I'd put together a practical guide for anyone planning it this year.

I found a lot of scattered information before my trip, so hopefully this saves someone else some time, money and unnecessary effort.

Getting to Yulla Khas

You have two main options:

Drive:

You can drive all the way towards Yulla Khas and park your vehicle in the village. This is probably the easiest option if you have your own car and are comfortable driving in the mountains.

Himachal buses:

This is also very doable if you're travelling solo or don't have your own vehicle.

If you're starting from Chandigarh, the basic route is:

Chandigarh to Shimla to Tapri (sharing cab) Yulla Khas

From Chandigarh, take a bus to Shimla. From Shimla, take an HRTC bus going towards Reckong Peo/Kinnaur and get down at Tapri. From Tapri, you can take a local/shared taxi or bus towards Yulla Khas, where the trek actually starts.

I'd recommend checking the bus timings locally before leaving Shimla. Mountain bus schedules can change and you don't want to reach Tapri late in the day and then discover that your connecting transport isn't running.

If you're solo, don't worry too much about the Tapri to Yulla part. Ask around at Tapri or speak to your homestay beforehand and they'll usually be able to tell you what local transport is available.

Also, don't stay in Tapri unless you absolutely have to. Accommodation there can be surprisingly expensive and, personally, I don't think it's worth it. Go up to Yulla Khas instead.

Staying in Yulla

This is probably the best part if you're travelling solo.

There are basic homestays where you can get a shared room for roughly ₹800-1,200 per person, and they offer homemade food.

Don't expect hotel-level facilities. You're going there for the mountains, not room service.

The homestays are basic but that's part of the experience. You get proper local food, meet people from the village and it's much more convenient for starting the trek early.

The trek

Start early. Really early.

I'd suggest leaving around first light.

The trail changes quite a bit as you climb. For me, it felt like roughly three different sections:

1. Village section

You start from Yulla Khas and walk through the village/nearby areas.

2. Forest/jungle section

After the village and entry area, you enter the forest. This is where the climb starts getting more serious.

3. Open high-altitude terrain

Eventually the forest opens up and you start getting those clean Kinnaur views. This is the part where you realise why you came.

Don't underestimate it just because it's not technically a mountaineering expedition. You're gaining a lot of altitude, and the continuous climb can be tiring.

If you're going solo

A few things I'd personally keep in mind:

Start early. Don't leave at 10-11 AM thinking you'll casually make it back.

Carry enough water and some snacks. You can refill your bottle but try if you can carry lifestraw or purifying tablets.

Download an offline map before leaving. Don't depend on mobile data.

Tell your homestay where you're going and roughly when you expect to return. If you pace yourself, book a tent midway so you can climb down to it day 1 and your day 2 becomes easy but if you're moving slow, book the camp just before the gate for yulla. Leave your heavy day bags here and take a light pack up. It makes a huge difference.

Don't assume you'll have network throughout the trek.

Weather can change quickly, so carry a proper outer layer even if the morning looks perfect.

If you're unsure about going completely alone, ask your homestay or tag along with other trekkers going up.

You don't necessarily need an expensive tour operator for this.

Keep some cash with you. Don't assume UPI will work everywhere.

If you're relying on buses, keep some buffer in your itinerary. Mountain transport doesn't always work according to the schedule you see online.

And please don't litter. One of the best things about Yulla is that it still feels relatively untouched.

Is a guide necessary?

I personally don't think you need one if you're reasonably comfortable hiking and have decent navigation skills. The route is fairly straightforward and there are other trekkers/camps along the way.

Why I liked it

Honestly, it's not just the destination. It's walking through the village, the forest getting quieter as you climb, and then suddenly coming out into those massive mountain views.

I went last year and would happily go back.

If you're looking for a quiet Himachal trip where you can spend a couple of days, trek during the day and stay in a local homestay at night, Yulla Kanda is definitely worth considering.

TL;DR:

Yulla Kanda is a great option if you want something quieter than the usual Himachal tourist circuit. If you don't have a car, Chandigarh to Shimla to Tapri and then Yulla Khas is the bus route. Stay in Yulla Khas rather than Tapri, start the trek around first light, carry offline maps/water/cash, and don't feel like you need to book an expensive operator.

(Formatted in Word, not AI) I did Yulla Kanda last year, and now that the season is clearing up again, I wanted to put together a practical guide for fellow travellers planning to do it this year.

I found a lot of scattered information before my trip, so hopefully this saves someone else some time, money and unnecessary effort.

Getting to Yulla Khas

You have two main options.

Drive

You can drive all the way towards Yulla Khas and park your vehicle in the village.

This is probably the easiest option if you have your own car and are comfortable driving in the mountains.

Himachal buses

You can also get there using Himachal Road Transport buses.

The general route is towards Shimla, Rampur and Tapri, and from there you make your way towards Yulla Khas.

If you're using buses, check the current timings locally because mountain bus schedules can change and you don't want to get stranded somewhere because you assumed a bus would be running.

Do NOT stay in Tapri unless you absolutely have to

This is one thing I would strongly recommend.

Don't make Tapri your base for the trek.

Accommodation there can be surprisingly expensive and, in my opinion, isn't worth paying extra for when you can stay in Yulla Khas itself.

Go up to Yulla Khas and stay with a local family instead.

Stay in Yulla Khas

There are homestays in Yulla Khas for around ₹800 to ₹1,200 per person in sharing.

They also provide homemade food.

This is what I'd recommend doing:

Reach Yulla Khas the day before.

Find a homestay.

Have dinner there.

Ask the locals about the current trail and weather conditions.

Sleep early.

Then start the trek with first light the next morning.

The homestay experience is also part of what makes Yulla Kanda special. Don't treat the village purely as a place to sleep before the trek.

Start with first light

Start as early as you reasonably can.

First light is ideal.

Don't start at 9 or 10 AM thinking you have the whole day.

Starting early gives you plenty of daylight, keeps you ahead of the heat and gives you flexibility with the camps.

The trek has 3 distinct terrains

The easiest way to understand the route is to divide it into three sections.

1. The village

You start by walking through Yulla Khas and the surrounding village area.

It's relatively easy and gives you a nice introduction to the landscape.

2. Jungle

As the village ends, you'll find a couple of dhabas with the i love kinnaur board and then you enter the jungle.

This is where it starts feeling like a proper trek.

You have a steady climb through the forest and this section provides some shade. Make sure you keep yourself hydrated here because it can get humid and make you sweat a lot.

3. Meadows and the steep climb

Eventually the jungle opens up into beautiful meadows.

This is one of my favourite sections.

And then comes the part that actually tests you.

The climb from the meadow towards Yulla Kanda is steep.

Don't rush this section.

Take your time, drink regularly and keep a steady pace.

The camp strategy

This is probably the most useful tip in this entire post.

You can call the camps and book ahead if you're travelling during a busy period.

But you don't necessarily need to book everything in advance.

If you start with first light and reach the base camps early enough, you can continue to Yulla Kanda, spend some time there and descend back to the lower camps before dark.

That means your second day becomes much shorter instead of doing the difficult climb down on the second day, you've already completed it.

Another option is to choose a camp just before the meadow section.

Leave your heavy backpack at the camp and carry only what you need for the climb.

Water + snacks + raincoat + essentials.

The difference a lighter backpack makes on that final steep climb is huge.

If you're unsure about your fitness or pace, don't try to force the long day option. Stay at the camp and take your time.

Water

There are water points along the route.

However, I would recommend treating the water before drinking it.

Carry either a LifeStraw or chlorine tablets.

Don't assume that clear mountain water automatically means it's safe to drink.

Also carry electrolytes.

Food

There aren't restaurants waiting for you on the trail.

Carry your own snacks.

I'd recommend:

Chocolates

Protein bars

Dry fruits

Electrolytes

Something salty

You don't need to carry an entire kitchen, but having quick calories available during the steep climb is extremely useful.

Toilets

There are no toilets after the entry gate.

Use the toilet at your homestay before starting.

And obviously, please carry your waste back with you.

Don't leave tissues, wrappers or plastic on the mountain.

Shoes

This is important.

Do not wear rubber sole shoes.

They can slip, especially on wet or loose sections.

Wear proper trekking shoes with good grip.

You don't need expensive mountaineering boots.

Just get proper trekking shoes that fit well and have a good trekking sole.

And break them in before the trek.

Trekking pole

Carry one.

It is especially useful on the steep climb and even more useful on the way back down when your legs are tired.

A basic trekking pole is completely fine.

Flashlight

Carry a flashlight or, even better, a headlamp.

If you're doing the long day option, you don't want to be caught out with the sun going down.

Your phone flashlight should be the backup, not your primary light.

Raincoat

Carry one.

Even if the forecast says clear weather.

Mountain weather can change quickly and you don't want to be several kilometres from shelter when it happens.

Network

Don't depend on mobile network.

Download your maps beforehand.

Save accommodation and camp numbers offline and carry cash.

If you're travelling independently, let someone know your plan and expected return.

How difficult is it?

I'd call Yulla Kanda moderate.

There is nothing particularly technical about the trek.

The challenge comes from the altitude, the distance and especially the steep climb towards the end.

If you're reasonably fit and used to walking or exercising, you should be fine if you pace yourself.

If you don't regularly exercise, don't underestimate it.

Best time to go

Check the current situation before leaving, especially if you're going around the monsoon.

Rain, snow and trail conditions can change the experience completely.

What I'd carry

Proper trekking shoes

Trekking pole

Raincoat

Flashlight or headlamp

Water bottle or hydration bladder

LifeStraw or chlorine tablets

Electrolytes

Chocolates

Protein bars

Dry fruits

First aid kit

Personal medicines

Power bank

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Warm layer

Extra socks

Cash

And a small garbage bag for your own waste

My recommended plan

Day 1

Travel to Yulla Khas.

Stay in a homestay.

Eat homemade food.

Ask locals about current conditions.

Sleep early.

Day 2

Wake up early.

Start with first light.

Walk through the village.

Enter the jungle.

Cross into the meadows.

Do the steep climb to Yulla Kanda.

Spend some time at the lake and temple.

Descend.

If you are moving well, stay at one of the lower camps before dark.

If you aren't comfortable doing the full route in one day, stay at the camp you booked and take it easy.

Day 3

Descend to Yulla Khas.

Have breakfast or lunch at your homestay.

Start your journey back.

It's beautiful, relatively peaceful and still feels like an actual mountain trek rather than a tourist attraction.

If you're planning to go this season, feel free to ask questions in the comments. I'll answer whatever I can based on my experience.

Batman is turning three this year and has recently started having some issues with fat. I moved him back to kibble, I tried with Farmina N&D Ocean Codfish Orange & Pumpkin Grain Free but his poop is a little mushy. The vet suggested a feed with 16-14% fat content. Looking for advice for any high protein brands appropriate for Giant Breeds.

A relative has a female stray they feed. She has suddenly started spotting (bleeding from her vulva) and she might be pregnant or have a UTI. They're looking for any Vet that can do home visits or any shelter that can assist.

All leads would be appreciated.

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a bit about what I’ve been doing for the last 99 days. I managed to go from 75.5kg to 66.0kg, and I’m finally at a point where I’m switching gears from pure fat loss to body recomposition.

To be clear, I am not doing this just for aesthetics. My goal is functional performance, I want to be able to run, climb mountains, handle long marches, and get back into boxing, all while making sure I'm taking care of my injuries properly. I used to be pretty lean in my hey day and pretty active but past 4-5 years, dealing with injuries, rehab and a WFH job had made me soft. One random day, a client of mine showed me their nutrition certification program and it just clicked. I asked them for free access to their material and jumped right in.

For me, this was all about consistency and really keeping an eye on the data. I used my Fitbit to keep my daily energy balance in check, which was a total game-changer.

To keep my protein intake high without losing my mind, I stuck to a few staples.

I relied on eggs, dahi, paneer, mill'd aata and whey protein (ON & OWN) for my protein, ghee for fat.

Sugar-free ketchup, protein chips, and diet coke helped me stay on track when cravings hit.

For carbs and sweeteners, I used to rely on honey, an occasional chai and a bit of dark chocolate.

A quick heads-up on the stats: while I use a smart scale, I know they aren't always 100% accurate on detailed macros. My scale might show one thing, but based on my own caliper checks and the US Navy method, I’m sitting at around 17% body fat right now.

I'm stoked to start the recomp phase and see how the composition changes from here.

Has anyone else here successfully transitioned from a hard cut to a long-term recomp? Would love to hear how you guys adjusted your macros to make that switch work. I'm finding eating more a little challenging.

Unflexed photos added for both before and after.

Back with another quick recipee that is filling and tasty while still being healthy.

This is two slices of English oven multigrain bread (171 calories, 6ish grams protein), 100 grams of Amul fresh paneer (313 calories, 20g protein), 2 henfruit protein eggs (151 calories, 15g protein), 1.25 tablespoons of mint mayo veeba (49 calories), 1/4 chopped onion, 6 pieces of cucumber (15 calories) and some ketchup (eyeballed it around 20 calories)

Roast the paneer on a non stick pan without any oil or ghee. Then put the egg mixed with salt and spices, whatever you want. While the omlette is cooking, put the bread slices. Once the omlette hardens, flip it with the bread. This will take some practice. After the bread is toasted, turn the gas off and roast the onion in the same pan. Not too much.

Then plate the bread, put the paneer, onion, cucumber and sauces. And you're done.

The eggs cost 26 (if you order 10), paneer 48 (200 grams is 95), bread is 12ish (70 rupees for the pack). Cucumber and onion depends on where you are and sauces you can use whatever you have. Whole thing comes to around 95 rupees for a total of 42 grams protein around 700 calories.

P.s. if you have calories to spare in the day, put some crushed chips for some extra crunch.

Because last time I got grief for using whey I am back with another mug cake recipe.

This is 25 grams of Mill'D high protein atta, one large egg, two tablespoons of milk, one and a half tablespoons of honey, one table spoon of vanilla and some coffee (eyeballed it) and a pinch of baking powder. Whisk the dry ingredients first, then use a fork to mix the egg, milk, and honey directly in a mug and microwave for 60 to 90 seconds. You get a super soft, fluffy warm cake. 273 calories max in total with 20-22 grams protein.

Just make sure you don't overcook it. Will taste like rubber.

I was craving something sweet recently and found a quick hack for a 32 gram protein dessert. This is one scoop of cocoa whey, one large egg, two tablespoons of milk and one tablespoon of honey. Whisk the eggs, milk and honey first and then use a fork to mix the powder directly in a cup and then microwave for 45 seconds. You get a very warm gooey chocolate cake. 300 calories max in total.

Getting back into running after years with these. Feel really good on the heel and midsole arch.

I'll start with a disclaimer, ignore all the values from the first screenshot except the weight. I know I'm not 14% body fat.

I am 5'7 and I started my cut at 75.5 which was my wake up weight. The plan was to lose 5 kg and then start bulking clean. I kept it simple, focus on getting in the groove, functional movements and training, calorie deficit and 100 gram protein. The scale kept showing progress as I was losing weight but visually, nothing much changed. I got to 70, then decided to go down to 68 and now pushing for 65. During this time I realised something, The goalposts in fitness constantly move, and you never really know how far you are from the finish line until you are deep into the process. Even after losing 7.6 kg, those stubborn love handles are still hanging on. Thankfully my chest and arms have not lost width, though they have not grown either. They are just holding the line for now. But my waist has gone down. And as per the navy method, i think I am somewhere in the 17-18 range. (The comparison pics i added are unflexed post wake up shots)

I work odd hours so I didn't want to change a lot with the diet. Just added eggs, protein and whey to my everyday meals and swapped the aata for one meal a day to Mill'D high protein one. This and whatever mum made actually made it easy to follow without feeling overwhelmed.

For my workouts, i started with a physio guided regimen where I was actually recovering from some hamstring and rotator cuff issues and then settled into a 3 day on one day off bro split with arms chest back, rest then core, legs, shoulders rest.

This journey has taught me the absolute importance of consistency and discipline over motivation. When the visual changes do not happen as fast as you want, it is discipline that keeps you waking up and hitting your targets every single day. Real physical transformation takes time, much more time than a scale reading suggests.

It is easy to get hyper focused on the stubborn spots and lose hope, but the data reminds me that unseen progress is happening under the surface. If you are grinding away and feeling like the finish line keeps shifting, do not stop. Trust the process, stay disciplined, and keep going. The shifting goals just mean you are uncovering what you are truly capable of.

So all of you who are still grinding it out, take a bow and keep working hard.