Chobia Pass : Pir Panjal Range

himalayan_monk · Mar 21st, 2007, 23:15

Chobia Pass (16288 feet above sea-level ) between 2 minor peaks Tent Peak (6133m ) and Barakanda Peak (5877 ) of the Pir Panjal Range is a good route from Bharmaur to Triloknath Temple ( Udeypur Village , Lahaul )... should be done as an acclimatization trek before attempting the technical Kang La Pass in Miyar Valley ...trekkers would agree that Kang La should not be attempted w/o crampons and so does Chobia's ascent & descent ...

An exploratory trek in the Pir Panjal Range revealed one of the lowest pass being Kalicho Pass ( 15753 feet ) is the hardest crossing to Lahaul from Bharmaur ... a rather slippery approach over glacier covering the Kalicho ... the Gaddi's used JUTE ROPE in lieu of nylon climbing ropes ...

The most frequented " Gaddi Pass Crossing " in Pir Panjal being Kugti Pass ... also the relatively safest route with good shelter in natural caves en-route...

AndreasW · Mar 22nd, 2007, 01:02

I've added these places at Wikimapia:
http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=32591660...&l= 0&m=a&v=2

You are a "trekking expert"... we'd appreciate it, if you support us with first hand infos, pictures and route details...

Curious
AndreasW

himalayan_monk · Mar 22nd, 2007, 13:17

vivid and personal account with helpful info. below for those wanting to explore the region and having interest in Pir Panjal Passes:

we reached Bharmaur by a rickety local bus and visited the
"Chowrasi Temple Complex" ( nandi bull )... and went to the small mountaineering institute in Bharmaur to say our Hellos and take advice from the local guys...bharmaur has a special feel to it ...secluded and sacred ...I donno hows it now ... so much of concrete in the Himalayas now ...

next day walked 5 hours to Chobia Village across the gently flowing Budhil Nalla ...( no more villages ahead ! ) ...the route is through loose ground and goes trackless many a times ... vegetation is like the Hadsar-Manimahesh Lake Stretch ...coniferous ...cedar ..and lots of scrubs ...
the condition of the track could be improved as locals are using it so often for their everyday lives and carrying firewood and supplies...

went for acclimatization to Baggi Got astray from the main route ...local shephard " Gaddi " invited us to his tent for fresh milk "chai" ...back to the trek route to Chobia and another 5 hours to Base of Pass ... no snow as yet but lots of sharp loose stones ...cold winds picking up and apprehensions of the next day's ascent in our minds ...our local guides
" ShivKaran " and " Tilak Raj" warned us that we are about to experience very steep gradients ahead ..."Darbala Dhar" and "Deosah Dhar" are visble from Base of Pass ...

Grand finale day : the Chobia Pass crossing !
12 hours of trek ahead of us atleast as a ball park figure... Possibly one of the steepest Himalayan Crossings ( Indrahara Pass final 2 hours is comparable though ...)

( my personal experience reiterates that Passes on Mid-Himalayan Ranges like the Pir Panjal are posing extremely steep and strenous gradient trekking in comparison to pass crossings on the Main Himalayan Axis which may be much higher in altitude )

garmin measurement of 4966 metres taken at Chobia Pass ...
negotiating small but treacherous crevasses cannot be avoided... some can be avoided though ...

The highlight of the Chobia Pass Crossing is :

1./ shortest approach march from Bharmaur

2./ " the sheer effort needed at the final pitch cannot be overlooked ..."

About 25 kilometres of downhill to Triloknath ... vegetation and colours of Pattan Valley of Lahaul all around ...this is the Chenab Valley where Miyar Nallah joins the Chenab and the end of the Chobia Traverse

...& from here begins the route to Zanskar over Kang La and Poat La ... other treks to Urgus ( Twani )Pass and Menthosa Peak( 21133 feet / 6443 m ) Base Camp can also be clubbed as one is properly acclimatized ...

The Miyar Valley is a very large region in itself with superb glaciers , terminal and lateral moraines ... there is a Pimu Pass at 5223 metres which caught the attention and interest of Sir Chris Bonington who was also hiking in this region ( Northern catchment of Miyar Nallah ).

route details :

Day 1 : Bharmaur - Chobia Village (2745 m ) 15 Km.
Day 2 : Chobia Village - Baggi Got (3400 m ) 6 hours roundtrip
Day 3 : Chobia Village - Camp 1 (3400 m ) 12 Km.
Day 4: Camp 1 - Chobia Pass (4966 m ) - Camp 2 in Lahaul (12 hours )
Day 5: Camp 2 - Triloknath 20 Km.

AndreasW · Mar 26th, 2007, 23:28

Hi,

you mentioned the "Poat La" to Zanskar. My map shows this pass only connected with Dharwas (Lujal Valley) via Sersank Pass respectively Shiv Shankar Pass or to the "Kishtwar site". Knows the Gaddis further ways from upper Saichu Valley, behind the holy cave "Guru Ka Alias"?

Concerning Pimu Pass resp. Dagal Jot, I found this report very interesting...

Quote:

Trekking: Pangi Valley
Over the high passes to the land of blue poppies. A walk in a secret corner of Himachal
http://www.outlooktraveller.com/asps...gid=450&page=1

Greetings
AndreasW

joemondal · Mar 28th, 2007, 12:27

Regarding Chobia, I've heard from people who've done it that it involves quite a bit of a plod through almost thigh-deep snow. So, timing is a key factor here. The area around the pass is a narrow gully with steep walls on both sides which is the reason for such snow deposition.

nice inputs, trekking-expert!
and as always Guru-Andreas is there to point us in the right direction.

cheers

joe

himalayan_monk · Mar 28th, 2007, 16:04

Warm Greetings !

The Poat La Pass on the " Main Great Himalayan Axis " has its unique significance in the context of hiking routes from Himachal to Zanskar Valley ( Ladakh ) due to the following reason :-

The Poat La ( although a considerably high pass 5490 m ) is relatively the easiest and safest crossing from Pangi to Zanskar.
This is due to its " high but dry " characteristics ( like the passes on the Padam - Lamayuru Route during the Trans Himalayan Trekking Season ) .

This is unlike the Kang La Jot , Sersank Pass & Umasi La and a few others in the region which have compulsory 2-3 camps on dangerous and tricky glacial floors .

( The Umasi La is probably the most spectacular route as the pass affords views of Hagshu Peak , Kistwar Shivling and others of the surrounding ranges of J&K ... this is however a subjective opinion ... the Umasi La has also en route birch forests and beautiful Meadows... these factoids were given by a Kistwar local to me in Pangi Valley )

Route details of Poat La :

1./ Reach Kilar over a jeepable road from Manali-Rohtang Pass-Tandi - Triloknath - Tindi - Sach - Kilar .

( The scenic walk on the jeepable road between Sach Village and Kilar along the Chenab is okay it in order to limber up before a trekking expedition to Zanskar from Pangi ... the Poat la is definitely easier and safer but requires proper acclimatization more so than Kang La and Umasi La as it is higher than both and in more dry section of the mountain cordilerra )

2./ Continue your jeep journey to Ishthari towards Kistwar in an almost broken road . ( arrange guide in Kilar or Ishthari )

3./ Via Shol follow the banks of the Padar River ( 12 hours )
( Horses and porters are available at Gularbagh )

4./ Walk from sunrise to sunset to reach Dangel ( moderate walking , try to cover long distance )

5./Long Walking again to ChomoChhumkhor 4100 m ( sunrise to sunset )

6./ Continue along the nallah ( Poat La stream ) to as much distance you can cover towards the pass .

7./To Camp 2 below Pass at about 4900m-5000 m approx.

8./ Over Poat La to Camp 3 on the other side of the Pass. 12 hours .

9./ Full day downhill trek to Sumdo ( Kang La Jot route ends here as well ! )

10./ 2 more days of long-distance easy walking to Padam along stream via Pibcha .

Continue by Jeep to Kargil to end long trek .

Angelina · Mar 28th, 2007, 17:54

Chobia must be a very challenging route in Pir Panjal
I tried the Kugti Pass but could make it to one camp below the pass

anshuzsnowy7 · Jun 30th, 2008, 01:52

any one of you pleeeeasss posts the pics/photos of Bhim Ghasutri Pass and "Iceberg Lake situated in chamba, himachal

anshuzsnowy7 · Jul 23rd, 2008, 19:39

Hi OP(himalayan_monk) do you have any information about Bhim Ghasutri Pass and "Iceberg Lake situated on the dhauladhar range which connects chamba with dharamshala, if you have the pics of lake, please post them

Mar 21st, 2007, 23:15	#1
himalayan_monk Active Hiking Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Delhi , Kuwait & Later Canada Posts: 31	Chobia Pass : Pir Panjal Range Chobia Pass (16288 feet above sea-level ) between 2 minor peaks Tent Peak (6133m ) and Barakanda Peak (5877 ) of the Pir Panjal Range is a good route from Bharmaur to Triloknath Temple ( Udeypur Village , Lahaul )... should be done as an acclimatization trek before attempting the technical Kang La Pass in Miyar Valley ...trekkers would agree that Kang La should not be attempted w/o crampons and so does Chobia's ascent & descent ... An exploratory trek in the Pir Panjal Range revealed one of the lowest pass being Kalicho Pass ( 15753 feet ) is the hardest crossing to Lahaul from Bharmaur ... a rather slippery approach over glacier covering the Kalicho ... the Gaddi's used JUTE ROPE in lieu of nylon climbing ropes ... The most frequented " Gaddi Pass Crossing " in Pir Panjal being Kugti Pass ... also the relatively safest route with good shelter in natural caves en-route...

Mar 22nd, 2007, 13:17	#3
himalayan_monk Active Hiking Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Delhi , Kuwait & Later Canada Posts: 31	Chobia Pass Crossing in Himachal Himalaya vivid and personal account with helpful info. below for those wanting to explore the region and having interest in Pir Panjal Passes: we reached Bharmaur by a rickety local bus and visited the "Chowrasi Temple Complex" ( nandi bull )... and went to the small mountaineering institute in Bharmaur to say our Hellos and take advice from the local guys...bharmaur has a special feel to it ...secluded and sacred ...I donno hows it now ... so much of concrete in the Himalayas now ... next day walked 5 hours to Chobia Village across the gently flowing Budhil Nalla ...( no more villages ahead ! ) ...the route is through loose ground and goes trackless many a times ... vegetation is like the Hadsar-Manimahesh Lake Stretch ...coniferous ...cedar ..and lots of scrubs ... the condition of the track could be improved as locals are using it so often for their everyday lives and carrying firewood and supplies... went for acclimatization to Baggi Got astray from the main route ...local shephard " Gaddi " invited us to his tent for fresh milk "chai" ...back to the trek route to Chobia and another 5 hours to Base of Pass ... no snow as yet but lots of sharp loose stones ...cold winds picking up and apprehensions of the next day's ascent in our minds ...our local guides " ShivKaran " and " Tilak Raj" warned us that we are about to experience very steep gradients ahead ..."Darbala Dhar" and "Deosah Dhar" are visble from Base of Pass ... Grand finale day : the Chobia Pass crossing ! 12 hours of trek ahead of us atleast as a ball park figure... Possibly one of the steepest Himalayan Crossings ( Indrahara Pass final 2 hours is comparable though ...) ( my personal experience reiterates that Passes on Mid-Himalayan Ranges like the Pir Panjal are posing extremely steep and strenous gradient trekking in comparison to pass crossings on the Main Himalayan Axis which may be much higher in altitude ) garmin measurement of 4966 metres taken at Chobia Pass ... negotiating small but treacherous crevasses cannot be avoided... some can be avoided though ... The highlight of the Chobia Pass Crossing is : 1./ shortest approach march from Bharmaur 2./ " the sheer effort needed at the final pitch cannot be overlooked ..." About 25 kilometres of downhill to Triloknath ... vegetation and colours of Pattan Valley of Lahaul all around ...this is the Chenab Valley where Miyar Nallah joins the Chenab and the end of the Chobia Traverse ...& from here begins the route to Zanskar over Kang La and Poat La ... other treks to Urgus ( Twani )Pass and Menthosa Peak( 21133 feet / 6443 m ) Base Camp can also be clubbed as one is properly acclimatized ... The Miyar Valley is a very large region in itself with superb glaciers , terminal and lateral moraines ... there is a Pimu Pass at 5223 metres which caught the attention and interest of Sir Chris Bonington who was also hiking in this region ( Northern catchment of Miyar Nallah ). route details : Day 1 : Bharmaur - Chobia Village (2745 m ) 15 Km. Day 2 : Chobia Village - Baggi Got (3400 m ) 6 hours roundtrip Day 3 : Chobia Village - Camp 1 (3400 m ) 12 Km. Day 4: Camp 1 - Chobia Pass (4966 m ) - Camp 2 in Lahaul (12 hours ) Day 5: Camp 2 - Triloknath 20 Km. Last edited by himalayan_monk : Mar 22nd, 2007 at 23:05. Reason: add a few more lines

Mar 28th, 2007, 16:04	#6
himalayan_monk Active Hiking Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Delhi , Kuwait & Later Canada Posts: 31	Poat La : Pangi to Zanskar ( Ladakh ) Warm Greetings ! The Poat La Pass on the " Main Great Himalayan Axis " has its unique significance in the context of hiking routes from Himachal to Zanskar Valley ( Ladakh ) due to the following reason :- The Poat La ( although a considerably high pass 5490 m ) is relatively the easiest and safest crossing from Pangi to Zanskar. This is due to its " high but dry " characteristics ( like the passes on the Padam - Lamayuru Route during the Trans Himalayan Trekking Season ) . This is unlike the Kang La Jot , Sersank Pass & Umasi La and a few others in the region which have compulsory 2-3 camps on dangerous and tricky glacial floors . ( The Umasi La is probably the most spectacular route as the pass affords views of Hagshu Peak , Kistwar Shivling and others of the surrounding ranges of J&K ... this is however a subjective opinion ... the Umasi La has also en route birch forests and beautiful Meadows... these factoids were given by a Kistwar local to me in Pangi Valley ) Route details of Poat La : 1./ Reach Kilar over a jeepable road from Manali-Rohtang Pass-Tandi - Triloknath - Tindi - Sach - Kilar . ( The scenic walk on the jeepable road between Sach Village and Kilar along the Chenab is okay it in order to limber up before a trekking expedition to Zanskar from Pangi ... the Poat la is definitely easier and safer but requires proper acclimatization more so than Kang La and Umasi La as it is higher than both and in more dry section of the mountain cordilerra ) 2./ Continue your jeep journey to Ishthari towards Kistwar in an almost broken road . ( arrange guide in Kilar or Ishthari ) 3./ Via Shol follow the banks of the Padar River ( 12 hours ) ( Horses and porters are available at Gularbagh ) 4./ Walk from sunrise to sunset to reach Dangel ( moderate walking , try to cover long distance ) 5./Long Walking again to ChomoChhumkhor 4100 m ( sunrise to sunset ) 6./ Continue along the nallah ( Poat La stream ) to as much distance you can cover towards the pass . 7./To Camp 2 below Pass at about 4900m-5000 m approx. 8./ Over Poat La to Camp 3 on the other side of the Pass. 12 hours . 9./ Full day downhill trek to Sumdo ( Kang La Jot route ends here as well ! ) 10./ 2 more days of long-distance easy walking to Padam along stream via Pibcha . Continue by Jeep to Kargil to end long trek .

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Mar 22nd, 2007, 01:02	#2
AndreasW Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 228	I've added these places at Wikimapia: http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=32591660...&l= 0&m=a&v=2 You are a "trekking expert"... we'd appreciate it, if you support us with first hand infos, pictures and route details... Curious AndreasW

Mar 28th, 2007, 12:27	#5
joemondal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 44	Regarding Chobia, I've heard from people who've done it that it involves quite a bit of a plod through almost thigh-deep snow. So, timing is a key factor here. The area around the pass is a narrow gully with steep walls on both sides which is the reason for such snow deposition. nice inputs, trekking-expert! and as always Guru-Andreas is there to point us in the right direction. cheers joe

Mar 28th, 2007, 17:54	#7
Angelina Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: India Posts: 21	Chobia must be a very challenging route in Pir Panjal I tried the Kugti Pass but could make it to one camp below the pass

Jun 30th, 2008, 01:52	#8
anshuzsnowy7 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: mugla,chamba, himachal pradesh Posts: 11	any one of you pleeeeasss posts the pics/photos of Bhim Ghasutri Pass and "Iceberg Lake situated in chamba, himachal

Jul 23rd, 2008, 19:39	#9
anshuzsnowy7 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: mugla,chamba, himachal pradesh Posts: 11	Hi OP(himalayan_monk) do you have any information about Bhim Ghasutri Pass and "Iceberg Lake situated on the dhauladhar range which connects chamba with dharamshala, if you have the pics of lake, please post them

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