Gaumukh,Tapovan in May/June

clawhammer · Feb 8th, 2006, 18:18

I'm planning a trek to Tapovan in May/June with my friends.We have our summer break from May to July but usually we have to stay back in college for projects-so actually we have very little free time.Please suggest the ideal time for the trek-coinciding with our summer vacations.We have a decent level of fitness but have no high altitude trekking experience.Does trek to Tapovan require technical climbing?
Also plz suggest someone in Kolkata who can give us some advice in our preparation.

himadventures · Feb 8th, 2006, 18:36

NOT SAFE-although snowfall is moderate in himalayas this year but there is always weather problems in this region.
Some trekkers have done this before...but be alert...FOG and WINDSTORMS have been reported in this time frame last year !

crimsonharsh · Feb 8th, 2006, 20:04

We did this trek in sept-oct 2004 and all of us were first timers at that time. All it took was some research on net and talking to some ppl. As far as Gomukh is concerned its a straightforward route. After that the route is a combination of boulder hopping and ascending almost 600-700M climb which is slightly steep but can be easily done. I saw a 8yr old kid (firang) do it with me so I suppose you ppl can do it easily. But do take a guide from Gangotri who can be both porter/guide. It will cost you some 250/300 rs. per day. Yes it's right that at tapovan and beyond weather can play it's role but there used to be 3-4 ashram where one can take refuge if it seriously turns bad. I still remember standing at the base of shivling and now knowing where to look for it for it was snowing there which did not stop till next day.
All & all I think it should be doable but I am still a tyro and there are ppl here on this group who can give you much more details...

crimsonharsh

jyotipg · Feb 9th, 2006, 19:40

u can reach till gaumukh.. After that you may take a chance and may be able to reach tapovan depending on the snow and weather conditions..

June looks more realistic..

clawhammer · Feb 9th, 2006, 21:52

Thanx for the advice,guys.Can u tell me about the terrain beyond Gaumukh if I choose to go in June.Won't monsoon pose a problem?What about the snow condition?

jyotipg · Feb 9th, 2006, 22:14

no fixed route after gaumukh.. u have to cross the gangotri glacier and then a steep climb to the ridge to the right of the glacier which leads to tapovan..

While crossing the glacier, you can expect lots of boulders to be hopped..

Monsoon would normally appear by end of june.. but then u can never be sure of climate in the mountains.. i have experienced the most severe snowfall of my life in mid of june..

himadventures · Feb 14th, 2006, 23:05

jyoti is right-please take this seriously.
I still say...plan it for POST MONSOON. You may do it pre-monsoon but it too much uncalculated risk...if you can take this...play on ....

clawhammer · Feb 14th, 2006, 23:31

So pre monsoon Tapovan seems to be difficult.Post monsoon not possible-continuous classes from 18 July till december,no break.
Any suggestions for a possible trek in 1st half of may or after 15th june?preferrably Uttaranchal or HP.

himadventures · Feb 14th, 2006, 23:41

clawhammer

I think you can try PINDARI GLACIER or KAFNI in this time period.
I personaly prefer PINDARI GLACIER.
You can also trek OUTER NANDA DEVI SANCTUARY in MAY or MID MAY.

check this out !

If you could not cross KUARI PASS-still you can reach TAPOBAN ( not one we all know of GAUMUKH ) and take bus/jeep and reach JOSHIMATH.

Please do not go too high in MAY !!

kolobar · Feb 15th, 2006, 02:18

I do not see any reason why not go in May/June. I was there at that time. Going to Gaumukh is easy, comfortable route, lots of traffic (many pilgrims, some trekkers), dhabas&ashrams operating (no need for tents, food, just warm sleeping bag). Gaumukh to Tapovan has a bit unpleasant route - steep, uncomfortable... anyway some sadhus do it barefoot. The route crosses scree covered glacier but it is safe and marked with cairns (and fellow trekkers&pilgrims). Tapovan has few ashrams where you can stay overnight (like Shimla Baba) but can be very cold up there.

AvidTrekker · Feb 15th, 2006, 14:14

Tapovan in June is very very do-able.

This year the snowfall is much less !!!

All the more reason for doing it around 15th May onwards....

Its a "populated" trek.... and the route has lost nearly all tree cover.....

still ... go ahead.

praks · Feb 15th, 2006, 20:33

A trek to Tapovan should not pose a problem in June though you will get better views and weather, post monsoon. However, since you do not get a break during that time you may try to do the trek during the pre monsoon season. Mid May would be better than June. Make sure of two things. Get a good guide. Instructors at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering at Uttarkashi can help you out here. Secondly, do not rush up after reaching Gangotri. Spend a day or two there, exploring around. The same after you reach Gaumukh. And while in the area, if you have an experienced guide, try to visit Nandanvan too. Enjoy your trip to the Himalaya. Wish you a happy and safe trip.

kaushaldesai · Mar 6th, 2006, 12:32

hi there

doing tapovan pre or post post monsoon ...is perfectly fine ....mid May is a much better time to plan if u cant manage anything post monsoon...also be very careful between gomukh and tapovan the moraines deteriorated a lot....last year in oct i was there at tapovan for 20 days ...i happened to be the LO (Liaison Officer) on a japenese expedition... in the 20 days i was there there were some really nasty rock falls in the area ... I noticed the rockfalls because in the 20 days that i stayed there i had to handle 3 rescues and did a lot of up and down between bhojbasa and tapovan ....... and evertime i was on the moraine i had my heart in my throat ......

happy trekking

kaushal

jyotirmoy · Mar 6th, 2006, 14:00

kaushaldesai has rightly described the situation. One should be very careful & wear right kind of shoes on the way to Tapovan & Nandanvan. Weather can turn nasty all of a sudden. One should take a guide.

harney · May 16th, 2006, 21:50

I have a few questions that I hope someone can answer:

How long time does it take to trek from Gangotri to Tapovan now (mid-May)?

Do I need tent, food, sleeping bag et cetera, or can I find accomodation there?

What would the temperature be?

thanks
harney

Feb 8th, 2006, 18:18	#1
clawhammer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: kharagpur Posts: 137	Gaumukh,Tapovan in May/June I'm planning a trek to Tapovan in May/June with my friends.We have our summer break from May to July but usually we have to stay back in college for projects-so actually we have very little free time.Please suggest the ideal time for the trek-coinciding with our summer vacations.We have a decent level of fitness but have no high altitude trekking experience.Does trek to Tapovan require technical climbing? Also plz suggest someone in Kolkata who can give us some advice in our preparation.

Feb 9th, 2006, 19:40	#4
jyotipg Lives virtually on IM Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 445	u can reach till gaumukh.. After that you may take a chance and may be able to reach tapovan depending on the snow and weather conditions.. June looks more realistic.. __________________ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/himalaya_trekkers/

Feb 15th, 2006, 14:14	#11
AvidTrekker mantra yoga teacher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: body in Mumbai, head in Himalaya Posts: 2,665	Tapovan in June is OK Tapovan in June is very very do-able. This year the snowfall is much less !!! All the more reason for doing it around 15th May onwards.... Its a "populated" trek.... and the route has lost nearly all tree cover..... still ... go ahead. __________________ The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

Mar 6th, 2006, 12:32	#13
kaushaldesai Account Closed Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manali Posts: 31	Sounds ok but be careful hi there doing tapovan pre or post post monsoon ...is perfectly fine ....mid May is a much better time to plan if u cant manage anything post monsoon...also be very careful between gomukh and tapovan the moraines deteriorated a lot....last year in oct i was there at tapovan for 20 days ...i happened to be the LO (Liaison Officer) on a japenese expedition... in the 20 days i was there there were some really nasty rock falls in the area ... I noticed the rockfalls because in the 20 days that i stayed there i had to handle 3 rescues and did a lot of up and down between bhojbasa and tapovan ....... and evertime i was on the moraine i had my heart in my throat ...... happy trekking kaushal

May 16th, 2006, 21:50	#15
harney Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 1	how long time to tapovan I have a few questions that I hope someone can answer: How long time does it take to trek from Gangotri to Tapovan now (mid-May)? Do I need tent, food, sleeping bag et cetera, or can I find accomodation there? What would the temperature be? thanks harney

Feb 8th, 2006, 18:36	#2
himadventures Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 1,069	NOT SAFE-although snowfall is moderate in himalayas this year but there is always weather problems in this region. Some trekkers have done this before...but be alert...FOG and WINDSTORMS have been reported in this time frame last year !

Feb 8th, 2006, 20:04	#3
crimsonharsh Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: India Posts: 48	We did this trek in sept-oct 2004 and all of us were first timers at that time. All it took was some research on net and talking to some ppl. As far as Gomukh is concerned its a straightforward route. After that the route is a combination of boulder hopping and ascending almost 600-700M climb which is slightly steep but can be easily done. I saw a 8yr old kid (firang) do it with me so I suppose you ppl can do it easily. But do take a guide from Gangotri who can be both porter/guide. It will cost you some 250/300 rs. per day. Yes it's right that at tapovan and beyond weather can play it's role but there used to be 3-4 ashram where one can take refuge if it seriously turns bad. I still remember standing at the base of shivling and now knowing where to look for it for it was snowing there which did not stop till next day. All & all I think it should be doable but I am still a tyro and there are ppl here on this group who can give you much more details... crimsonharsh

Feb 9th, 2006, 21:52	#5
clawhammer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: kharagpur Posts: 137	Thanx for the advice,guys.Can u tell me about the terrain beyond Gaumukh if I choose to go in June.Won't monsoon pose a problem?What about the snow condition?

Feb 9th, 2006, 22:14	#6
jyotipg Lives virtually on IM Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 445	no fixed route after gaumukh.. u have to cross the gangotri glacier and then a steep climb to the ridge to the right of the glacier which leads to tapovan.. While crossing the glacier, you can expect lots of boulders to be hopped.. Monsoon would normally appear by end of june.. but then u can never be sure of climate in the mountains.. i have experienced the most severe snowfall of my life in mid of june..

Feb 14th, 2006, 23:05	#7
himadventures Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 1,069	jyoti is right-please take this seriously. I still say...plan it for POST MONSOON. You may do it pre-monsoon but it too much uncalculated risk...if you can take this...play on ....

Feb 14th, 2006, 23:31	#8
clawhammer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: kharagpur Posts: 137	So pre monsoon Tapovan seems to be difficult.Post monsoon not possible-continuous classes from 18 July till december,no break. Any suggestions for a possible trek in 1st half of may or after 15th june?preferrably Uttaranchal or HP.

Feb 14th, 2006, 23:41	#9
himadventures Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: India Posts: 1,069	clawhammer I think you can try PINDARI GLACIER or KAFNI in this time period. I personaly prefer PINDARI GLACIER. You can also trek OUTER NANDA DEVI SANCTUARY in MAY or MID MAY. check this out ! If you could not cross KUARI PASS-still you can reach TAPOBAN ( not one we all know of GAUMUKH ) and take bus/jeep and reach JOSHIMATH. Please do not go too high in MAY !!

Feb 15th, 2006, 02:18	#10
kolobar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: beside a lake Posts: 155	I do not see any reason why not go in May/June. I was there at that time. Going to Gaumukh is easy, comfortable route, lots of traffic (many pilgrims, some trekkers), dhabas&ashrams operating (no need for tents, food, just warm sleeping bag). Gaumukh to Tapovan has a bit unpleasant route - steep, uncomfortable... anyway some sadhus do it barefoot. The route crosses scree covered glacier but it is safe and marked with cairns (and fellow trekkers&pilgrims). Tapovan has few ashrams where you can stay overnight (like Shimla Baba) but can be very cold up there.

Feb 15th, 2006, 20:33	#12
praks Senile Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 292	A trek to Tapovan should not pose a problem in June though you will get better views and weather, post monsoon. However, since you do not get a break during that time you may try to do the trek during the pre monsoon season. Mid May would be better than June. Make sure of two things. Get a good guide. Instructors at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering at Uttarkashi can help you out here. Secondly, do not rush up after reaching Gangotri. Spend a day or two there, exploring around. The same after you reach Gaumukh. And while in the area, if you have an experienced guide, try to visit Nandanvan too. Enjoy your trip to the Himalaya. Wish you a happy and safe trip.

Mar 6th, 2006, 14:00	#14
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 4,045	kaushaldesai has rightly described the situation. One should be very careful & wear right kind of shoes on the way to Tapovan & Nandanvan. Weather can turn nasty all of a sudden. One should take a guide.

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