What initial difficulties and discouragement did the sannyasi from Madras encounter upon his arrival in Shirdi?

According to Chapter 31, upon arriving in Shirdi, the sannyasi Vijayananda met Swami Somdevji of Haridwar. When Vijayananda inquired about the journey to Mansarovar, the Swami painted a grim picture. He described the path as being five hundred miles long, with significant snowfall, frequent changes in language, and potential dangers from locals who were fearful of outsiders. Hearing this news from the Swami's mouth caused the sannyasi to become dejected and distressed, filling his mind with worry about the hardships of his pilgrimage even before he had the opportunity to properly meet Sai Baba.