Comments for Roopkund Trek article

ks_bluechip · Jul 25th, 2008, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by somnath biswas

Thanks KS and SK for your story and photo. I have three questions for you.

1. I read in a book that Swami Pranabanad made the shelter where you stayed at Baguabasa. He made that in the year 1965. The writer said that he again went there in the year 1971 and the condition of the shelter was in bad shape.

2. What is the charge of seat reservation from Wan to Debol, per head.

3. Can one take alcohol on this trip?.

Q1&2 - SK is the right person to answer that

Q3 - Alcohol? I "think" you can!

But just to let you know, Debu was unwilling give us boiled-eggs at Pathar-Nachauni and beyond

First he said "I did'nt brings eggs here" and then added "this is holy ground, thats why". However, in Bedni-Bugyal he did help his porter friends kill and cut up a sheep. I think that must be safe ground for alcohol too.

shahronakm · Jul 25th, 2008, 20:44

SK, Excellent Stuff. Waiting for final part with costs.

Ronak.

Sadanand Kamath · Jul 25th, 2008, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by somnath biswas

Thanks KS and SK for your story and photo. I have three questions for you.

1. I read in a book that Swami Pranabanad made the shelter where you stayed at Baguabasa. He made that in the year 1965. The writer said that he again went there in the year 1971 and the condition of the shelter was in bad shape.

2. What is the charge of seat reservation from Wan to Debol, per head.

3. Can one take alcohol on this trip?.

1. There were in all 4 stone huts and all these huts were set up by local shepherds. I understand that they charge Rs.150/- per day for one stone hut in season. I think if the shelter built by Swami Pranabanand in 1965 was in bad condition in 1971, it must have been rebuilt by the locals and one of the present 4 stone huts could be of Swami Pranabanand.

2. The jeep charges for Deval-wan-Deval was paid by Debu as part of our package deal. I heard him saying that he paid Rs.800/- for 5 seats for Wan-Deval journey which comes to Rs.160/- per head.

3. I saw some empty bottles of whisky and rum lying outside the dabha in Bedni. Surely, there is no taboo on alcohol in Bedni.

Sadanand

ks_bluechip · Jul 26th, 2008, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almoraboy

ok, i am waiting for your kmz file now.

Hi Almoraboy & all others interested in Roopkund trail:

Today with Sadanand's help I was able to finalise and confirm the Google Earth Placemarks. So, I am attaching herewith a Roopkund03.KMZ file but in zipped form i.e. Roopkund03.zip.

All you have do is, download this file and unzip the KMZ and click on that. That should launch Google Earth and show you Roopkund trail points that we have marked - KS

PS: in case this does'nt work for you, you may have to send me your email-id via PM so I can directly send you the file.
.
PS2: I tested this at my end; and it worked fine. All you have to do is to click on "Attachment ZIP" box in this message. When the zip opens and shows the KMZ file click again on that to launch Google Earth.

nyraghu · Jul 26th, 2008, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadanand Kamath

So the old man and woman were not the traveller but came down to bid a good-bye to their daughter and grand son. I guessed, the daughter must have come to stay with her parents for a few days. Her delayed arrival at the pick up point was now understandable ... graceful display of controlled emotions did speak a lot.

Very perceptive account, Sadanand. In his book, Sacred Waters, Stephen Alter talks about the discordance within families in Garhwal caused by large-scale migration of men for jobs in the army and in cities. Apparently, it's quite common for a newly-wed man to return to his job soon after the wedding, leaving the young spouse to cope alone with the problems of adjusting to a new life with her in-laws. Your description reminded me of a passage from the book:

Quote:

At the same time I recall a young woman I saw boarding a bus in a rainstorm. She must have been returning to her in-laws' home after visiting her parents and the whole family had come to see her off. They were standing at a bend in the motor road, in the middle of a downpour. When the bus came roaring into view they flagged it down and the women hurriedly embraced. As the family said goodbye to their daughter she broke into tears, wailing as they pushed her into the open door of the crowded bus. The rain had soaked the new sari she was wearing and tears flooded her eyes. ... It could be that the sense of separation in the mountains is all the more intense because distances seem greater and the ridges themselves rise up like barricades, hiding whatever lies beyond.

-- Stephen Alter, Sacred Waters, pp. 221-222

Raghu.

Sadanand Kamath · Jul 26th, 2008, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyraghu

....."The rain had soaked the new sari she was wearing and tears flooded her eyes. ... It could be that the sense of separation in the mountains is all the more intense because distances seem greater and the ridges themselves rise up like barricades, hiding whatever lies beyond."

-Stephen Alter, Sacred Waters, pp. 221-222
Raghu.

Beautiful discription. Thanks for the quote.

Incidentally, there are many defence pensioners staying in Wan.

Sadanand

Sadanand Kamath · Jul 27th, 2008, 18:20

Editor's Note:

This post has been promoted to the Article section. You can read it in its entirety here:

Roopkund Trek Report by Sadanand Kamath

Dilliwala · Jul 27th, 2008, 21:11

Phew, some effort! More effort on the trip report than the trip, it seems.

kmalik · Jul 27th, 2008, 23:51

Wonderful trip and excellent trip report! A joy to read! One specific comment and one request:

Comment: It seems to me that there is an alternative route to Wan via Haridwar / Rishikesh side as well. If my distance estimation is correct, Haridwar-Tharali is about 215 km; Rishikesh-Tharali is about 200 km, and Kathgodam-Gwaldham-Tharali is about 200 km. While I do not know how the transportation options from Karanpryag-Tharali-Wan shape up, Haridwar-Rishikesh-Karanpryag definitely provides many options; and Delhi-Haridwar is also a better reach with trains. In terms of views, both routes have their positives. Perhaps more higher peaks visible from the Kumaun route, but travel along the rivers nearly the entire way on the Garhwal route.

Maybe my friend Dilliwala will illuminate us on this point.

Request: If you happen to have it easily available, I - for one - would like to see the altitudes at the different places you slept to see the ascent profile.

Thank you very much for the pleasure reading your trip report has been for us!

Dilliwala · Jul 28th, 2008, 03:01

Illuminate on what? - you're absolutely right.
Oh, the distances? Coming right up, have to check my logs..........

Re transport - Also right, relatively simple to get to Karnprayag. A good idea is to go to Shrinagar or Rudraprayag if the first direct option is going to be a while.
From Karnprayag, there will be a few options a day direct to Deval, more to Tharali and/or Narayanbagar. My advice with interior-area transport always is to keep moving and change at the next hub; don't wait for the direct/non-stop option which may take half or almost all day showing up.

P.S. Haridwar-Rishikesh - 25 km
Rishikesh-Karnprayag - 169 km
Karnprayag-Tharali Bend - 45 km
Tharali Bend-Deval - 13 km

Sadanand Kamath · Jul 28th, 2008, 08:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmalik

Request: If you happen to have it easily available, I - for one - would like to see the altitudes at the different places you slept to see the ascent profile.

Here it is:

Gwaldam : 1940m
Deval : 1218m
Wan : 2570m
Bedni Bugyal : 3470m
Pathar Nachauni : 3810m
Roopkund : 4410m
(Not stayed)

PS : I have added this information on Fact Sheet of the Trek Report.

Sadanand

Sadanand Kamath · Jul 28th, 2008, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dilliwala

...... if the first direct option is going to be a while.
From Karnprayag, there will be a few options a day direct to Deval, more to Tharali and/or Narayanbagar. My advice with interior-area transport always is to keep moving and change at the next hub; don't wait for the direct/non-stop option which may take half or almost all day showing up.

There is a direct bus from Delhi to Deval. We saw the bus at Gwaldam bus stand at 12.30 p.m. Mahesh, our driver told me that there is a transhipment of passengers at Kathgodam.

Sadanand

onetrek · Jul 28th, 2008, 12:01

Hello again Mr. Kamath & SK,

What a fantastic travelogue. I could feel the moments of elation, perils and disappointments from the words you have chosen. It will be nice to know more about this trail done by other trekkers at different times of the year.

Could you help me with a couple of questions I have.

1. What medication is one supposed to carry on a trek like this?
2. Generally how well trained are the guides and porters in case of medical emergencies?
3. You have mentioned very little of any Altitude Sickness, did you not feel any, if so what precaution did you take?
4. How did you replenish your water supply, did you carry as per days or natural resources?
5. Would you suggest mules to carry extra loads or will it help to hire Porters?

Your advise would really help

Thanks
Onetrek

amarshah · Jul 28th, 2008, 12:02

Kudos SK & KS !! a awesome update on the trip !

Sadanand Kamath · Jul 28th, 2008, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by onetrek

Could you help me with a couple of questions I have.

1. What medication is one supposed to carry on a trek like this?
2. Generally how well trained are the guides and porters in case of medical emergencies?
3. You have mentioned very little of any Altitude Sickness, did you not feel any, if so what precaution did you take?
4. How did you replenish your water supply, did you carry as per days or natural resources?
5. Would you suggest mules to carry extra loads or will it help to hire Porters?

Your advise would really help

Thanks
Onetrek

1. It is better to go by your doctor's advice. I had taken the medicines which were prescribed by my doctor. However, other than my daily course of two tablets which I have been taking for some time as per the doctor's prescription, I had no need to take any other medicines. I don't think KS had taken any medicines during the trek.

2. The guides may not be professionally trained to handle medical emergencies. But they will certainy be able to organise porters/mules to carry the trekker with medical emergencies to the base and from here to the nearest hospital by vehicle.

3. None of us felt even a minor altitude sickness during the entire trek. We had spent two nights at Bedni Bugyal (3470m) and one night at Pathar Nachauni (3810m) before proceeding to Roopkund. Certainly, this helped us in getting better acclimatisation. Also, we were trekking very slowly in higher altitudes which also means spending more time at these altitudes to get acclimatised.

4. We use to carry two water bottles of 750L each filled in at the camps where there were water sources. We never used any water purification tablets. Furthermore, our porters used to carry extra bottles of drinking water. I will like to point out that it is better to drink small quantity of water at short duration. Drinking large quantity of water in one go, while trekking, may result in leg muscle cramp.

5. Yes. Better make it very clear to the mule owner that the loads will have to be carried up to Baguabasa.

Sadanand

Jul 25th, 2008, 20:44	#77
shahronakm Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,844	SK, Excellent Stuff. Waiting for final part with costs. Ronak. __________________ My Picture Gallery

Jul 27th, 2008, 18:20	#82
Sadanand Kamath Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,044	Roopkund Trek Report : Part - 7 Editor's Note: This post has been promoted to the Article section. You can read it in its entirety here: Roopkund Trek Report by Sadanand Kamath Last edited by nadreg : Aug 2nd, 2008 at 20:18. Reason: Minor corrections/additions

Jul 28th, 2008, 03:01	#85
Dilliwala Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: 28N 077E / दिल्ली Posts: 4,798	Illuminate on what? - you're absolutely right. Oh, the distances? Coming right up, have to check my logs.......... Re transport - Also right, relatively simple to get to Karnprayag. A good idea is to go to Shrinagar or Rudraprayag if the first direct option is going to be a while. From Karnprayag, there will be a few options a day direct to Deval, more to Tharali and/or Narayanbagar. My advice with interior-area transport always is to keep moving and change at the next hub; don't wait for the direct/non-stop option which may take half or almost all day showing up. P.S. Haridwar-Rishikesh - 25 km Rishikesh-Karnprayag - 169 km Karnprayag-Tharali Bend - 45 km Tharali Bend-Deval - 13 km Last edited by Dilliwala : Jul 28th, 2008 at 21:34. Reason: added distances

Jul 28th, 2008, 12:01	#88
onetrek Nevermind Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 37	What a Journey Hello again Mr. Kamath & SK, What a fantastic travelogue. I could feel the moments of elation, perils and disappointments from the words you have chosen. It will be nice to know more about this trail done by other trekkers at different times of the year. Could you help me with a couple of questions I have. 1. What medication is one supposed to carry on a trek like this? 2. Generally how well trained are the guides and porters in case of medical emergencies? 3. You have mentioned very little of any Altitude Sickness, did you not feel any, if so what precaution did you take? 4. How did you replenish your water supply, did you carry as per days or natural resources? 5. Would you suggest mules to carry extra loads or will it help to hire Porters? Your advise would really help Thanks Onetrek

Jul 28th, 2008, 12:02	#89
amarshah Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 844	Kudos SK & KS !! a awesome update on the trip ! __________________ Cheers Amar Himalayan Trips - http://amards14.googlepages.com/

Jul 27th, 2008, 21:11	#83
Dilliwala Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: 28N 077E / दिल्ली Posts: 4,798	Phew, some effort! More effort on the trip report than the trip, it seems.

Jul 27th, 2008, 23:51	#84
kmalik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 672	Wonderful trip and excellent trip report! A joy to read! One specific comment and one request: Comment: It seems to me that there is an alternative route to Wan via Haridwar / Rishikesh side as well. If my distance estimation is correct, Haridwar-Tharali is about 215 km; Rishikesh-Tharali is about 200 km, and Kathgodam-Gwaldham-Tharali is about 200 km. While I do not know how the transportation options from Karanpryag-Tharali-Wan shape up, Haridwar-Rishikesh-Karanpryag definitely provides many options; and Delhi-Haridwar is also a better reach with trains. In terms of views, both routes have their positives. Perhaps more higher peaks visible from the Kumaun route, but travel along the rivers nearly the entire way on the Garhwal route. Maybe my friend Dilliwala will illuminate us on this point. Request: If you happen to have it easily available, I - for one - would like to see the altitudes at the different places you slept to see the ascent profile. Thank you very much for the pleasure reading your trip report has been for us!

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