Heavy rains damage Pindari route

lalaji

I was browsing the newspaper site and came across this item.

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Bhaswaran

Any English version available of this news? Tons of our visitors cannot read Hindi.

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Dilliwala

A bit late, but I'll attempt a translation:

AMAR UJALA

"Bageshwar, 3 Sep 2007.

PINDARI ROAD IN PRECARIOUS CONDITION DUE TO RAIN

The condition of the Pindari motor road has become precarious in this year's rains. At various places the rain has caused road-edges to break off and become 'offerings' to the Saryu river. Because of the bad condition of the road, the chance for accidents is on the rise. People have accused the PWD (Public Works Dept.) of neglecting the road, and have given warning of starting an agitation if the road is not repaired soon. Let it be known that in the current monsoon there are danger-clouds hovering over the existence of the Pindari motor road. The road-condition has become so bad that even a minor mistake can cause loss of life and property. Due to heavy rain, large quantities of earth/rubble have been lying on the road for many days at Are village. The PWD has not removed the rubble till date. Large quantities of earth/rubble are lying at places on the road like Devalchaura, Harsila and Golna, while at a number of places the road-edge has broken off. Near Turturiya, approx. 60 m of the road-edge has broken off and fallen into the Saryu. Due to continuous flow of water on the road here, vehicle drivers are having to face a number of difficulties. From Kapkot Block Office to Bharari, the road has broken off at a number of places, apart from which there is earth/rubble present. Due to heavy rain, the road has turned into mud/rubble at various places. From Bharari to Chevabagar, Dulam, Banse, Saling, Song, etc, the road is in bad shape. It would be hasty to say anything about the road from Song to Munar, a good section of which has broken off. This 36-km long road has been neglected by the PWD from the beginning. During the year countless VIP vehicles run on this road, but even the VIPs travelling in them have no concern about the future of this road. Members of various organisations have accused the administration and the PWD of neglect."

ananda2193

I guess it just makes the Pindari Glacier Trek a few days longer.

davidp80

Currently in Bageshwar, and taking the road via bus transport to Song/Loharket tomorrow morning. If the road is still as bad as it sounds, I'll be sure to get on once I've finished the Pindari and Kafni Glacier trek to confirm. Wish me luck!

-Dave

Almoraboy

i am planning to spend soem winter days in dhakuri...just mail across the conditions at dhakuri.

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lalaji

Two mountaineers died while attempting Changuch peak.
Summary of newsitem.
Rescue party has reached pindari glacier today. Since tuesday weather around pindari glacier has deteriorated.
On thursday light snowfall in khati.

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Almoraboy

snow???? in october??? what will happen to the weather??? or rather, what has happened to the weather?

Sadanand Kamath

The aberration in weather pattern in himalayas has been happening periodically. I have faced fresh snow in around Purkiya on way to Pindari glacier in mid-October'85. I have also trekked on fresh snow from Sheshnag to Mahagunus pass and to Panchatarni on way to Amarnath cave in early July'87.

I guess, early or unseasonal snow falls could delay the normal snow falls in himalaya.

Sadanand

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himadventures

There had been more than two- it is always shown less in our country.But weather is fine now-slightly chilly in evening.

Dilliwala

Just got back Fri nite from northern HP, and Rohtang has already had plenty of snow, enough to get the skis out. The pass was closed for traffic one day last week as far as I know. The Raid de Himalaya car rally was also on last week and all the cars had to return to Manali as Baralacha La was snowed in on 5th Oct. On Monday the lot of them were still hanging around Manali, so not sure if the rally was called off or they were waiting to see if the snow thaws. Indications are that Rohtang will close early this year, altho one never knows, it's happened often enuff that it's snowed early, only to ease up till early Nov. However the Army seem to be taking it seriously, ran into a convoy of around 20 trucks heading northwards over the pass on Wed morning.

Dilliwala

Bad scene, that.
For those non-Hindi readers who are interested, here's the full translation:

"BODIES OF ANG NIMA AND MIGMA NOT FOUND

Bageshwar (11 Oct 07)

The bodies of 2 mountaineers on their way to Chhanguch peak could not be found today either. A police party on their way to the incident-spot has reached Pindari glacier today. The party will commence a retrieval exercise on the morning of 12th Oct. Due to bad weather, a number of difficulties are being faced. Let it be known that of the 18 members of the Navy and Indian Mountaineering Federation (IMF) on their way to summit Chhanguch peak, Darjeeling residents Ang Nima Sherpa and Migma Lama died after being buried under snow. On the orders of the District Magistrate, a nine-member party led by Kapkot police-station In-charge C. S. Bisht had departed on 9th Oct. According to information received, the party has reached Pindari Glacier today, and will commence retrieval operations on the morning of 12th Oct. Since the late evening of last Tuesday the weather has worsened at Pindari glacier and nearby areas. In such conditions, the party is having to face a number of difficulties. DM Shailesh Bagauli said that the team of police, revenue dept. and disaster management-trained members will make every attempt to retrieve the bodies.

Elsewhere, on Thursday (today) there was a light drizzle in different parts of the district, due to which there has been a fall in temperature. In the higher reaches of the Kapkot sub-division/tahsil area, the peaks at the villages of Badiyakot, Borbalda, Khati, Kunvari etc have had light snowfall."

davidp80

Yeah, sad news regarding those sherpas. I reached the Pindari Glacier the next day (the 12th), and the rescue team was still searching for equipment on the mountain. A reminder of how dangerous this high mountain territory can be.

Otherwise, the trip was great. Clear weather, minus a couple of brief showers in the afternoon a couple of days. I don't recall seeing any snowfall at Khati, but it was cold enough in the evenings that precipitation very well could have amounted to some accumulation. Loharket is the only exception to this statement, being that its located in the valley below.

The road from Bageshwar was clear. No problems to report. I highly recommend giving this trail a go, as it's relatively easy (relatively being the key word here - this is the Himalayas!) trail through beautiful mountain scenery. The most pleasant places to stay, in my opinion, are Dhakuri, Khati, and at Zero Point with the Baba. Do donate as his temple of you avail of his services.

I'll upload some pictures soon. Very scenic!

-Dave

lalaji

thx for the updates david
any idea on how long baba will be staying there?

davidp80

Well, he was still wearing his orange lungi and slip-on sandals when everyone else was dressed in warm hats and layers...so, if that gives any indication? Generally, it was my understanding that he stays up there for all but the two coldest months of the year, so I'd guess you could still catch him until sometime in November or early December. But, I don't know for sure. Quite a guy, that I do know!

-Dave