Indrahar Pass

ronsaik

Additional question...can Indrahar be done in 2 days in September i.e. after the snow has presumably melted? Schedule:
1. Day One 9 km (to Triund)+6(Lahesh cave)+7(Chhata Parao via Indrahar pass)
2. Day Two: Chhata Paro to Choli (28 km)

While one would love to stretch it a bit longer, time is at a premium for salaried slaves.
I'd assume there'd be no ice in the upper reaches that could impede progress in September...or am I wrong?

davyd

hardly possible to make a trek upto Indrahar pass in 2 days since the last part is quite difficult, it's just sheer climbing.
the least time which is required is 3 days when one first reaches Lahesh cave, stay overnight, next day climbing and back to cave, then descent on the third day. Many experienced trek guides in Dharamkot like Mr Roshan Shukla recommend even 4 day trek for beginners, and it's more leisurely, not rushing too much enjoying views.

ronsaik

@Davyd...From your desc., my understanding is that you're talking about returning the way one came. Is that better in terms of time than going over the pass to the other side (Chhata Parao and Choli), and catching a cab back to McLeod?
Thanks for the trouble.

solo_trekker

You need three days atleast...
Just writing my post on my experience...
Cheers...!

AvidTrekker

ronsaik, if you are not an experienced trekker, consider minimum four days trek at least. And climb from the Chata Parao side, its gentler. The climb up from Triund is fierce and takes the sweat out from experienced trekkers as well.

There are a few two day treks in the Kullu Valley. For "salaried slaves"
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ronsaik

Ah...well have you spoken, Avid...now only an ascent from Triund would make sense
Looking at my calendar, the only time I can take 4 days off would be the week of October 2 - that's one Thursday and the weekend, with a leave on Friday. So that's when I shall be attempting Indrahar, (Inshallah, by the grace of the Lord, by the good offices of my evil client etc.)

@Solo...waiting for your trek report...hurry up!

AvidTrekker

How about three days? Two days to climb up and one day to come down (your knees may become wobbly, so what? ) You might get the three days chhutti earlier.

However, I don't know if there is a jeepable road upto Triund?? Otherwise Mcleod to Triund is a two hour climb at a brisk pace (and four hours at a regular pace)

I like people who like challenges

All the best
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ronsaik

Since travel to and fro McLeod will be done on overnight buses, just need one day to stretch my legs and watch mindless Carry On flicks on the DVD before flying back to Bangalore (where I'm working on a longish project)

geeree

I met an elderly couple from Kuarsi near the Indrahar pass ten days ago. They walk the complete trail from Kuarsi to McLeod Ganj in twelve hours for business! But well, I'm sure this is impossible for me. My thighs and knees went on a strike after the three hour descent from the pass to near the snow line cafe and it took four days for the thighs to get back to work.

But considering that September will be good weather, two days are enough to reach to the Chata Parao from McLeod Ganj. Other people should have a more accurate idea of the time required to go from Chata Parao to Machetar.

By the way, what is Choli? You probably mean Holi. Remember Holi doesn't have a road-head, which is only 6 km away, at Machetar.

There's no jeepable road till Triund. A road can take you up to Bhagsunag, which will save you around an hour or so. And AvidTrekker, I'll probably put that figure at six hours for regular pace.

Really? I unfortunately couldn't get a chance to go to the other side. But our guide and some shepherds we talked to claimed the Triund side is easier.

Also, rosnaik, the bus ride from Machetar to McLeod Ganj is around twelve hours. You can save time by doing Machetar -- Chamba -- Chakki Bank instead and take a train to Delhi. And why insist on Indrahar pass if you don't have time?

Girish.

ronsaik

I was going by the routemap names in the Outlook Traveler Trekking guide...so it's Holi then.

There's never enough time! Took a week off for Roopkund last month. Intend to hike in Nepal the following summer - that'll be a couple of weeks. There's a short hike to Churdhar top that's overdue - Sirmour is a lovely area - that's a three day weekend. Then there would be at least one three-day-weekend driving holiday in September. Life's short, the work week long, and so many fun options. Have to compromise somewhere, right?

Ashish kaul

This is how I did it. No tent etc notwithstanding. Experience / inexperience not withstanding, one has to understand that it is steep (one look at the profile of Dhauladhars tells you a story). But it is a great trek and very much dable. You need Himalayan grit though. September is good. Now let me tell you what I did. I drove from Delhi to Naddi (by the side of Dal Lake) near Mccleodganj. It took 9 to 10 hours. The next day I rested and planned the trek. The following day we trekked from Naddi to Triund which is not a big deal and stayed at the forest rest house there. It's beautiful...glorious vews...Triund is a series of bounding meadows on a spur of the Dhauladhars. There is a nice dhaba /tea shop run by local boys from McCleod. Need to carry water on trek to Triund. water source nearby frequented by leopards and bears. Next morning trek off, pause at Laqua (or ilaqua as LP calls it)at a dhaba and trek either to Lahesh or set up camp a little West (you definately need a guide). This is where we joined a gaddi encampment. This is wind swept and barren except for a clump of trees to the left frequented by leopards (unfriendly for sure!). Next morning we trekked to the top slowly (no choice on speed!) and steeply and then returned back. In our case we came all the way back to Triund and Naddi. But I don't recommend that unless you are a gaddi shepherd or a sherpa or if you lived in the Himalayas in your chidhood. Or if you are a grad of HMI Darj or have comparable experience at high alitude.
So lets see how many days: 1 to get to Naddi; 2 in Naddi; 3 to Triund; 4 to Lahesh; 5 to Indrahar and back to Triund; 6 to Naddi and then 7 to wherever you came from...

davyd

of course, it's possible to descend from cave to Bhagsu in one long day, it's 7 km from Lahesh cave to Triund and 9 km to Bhagsu or McLeod (or 7 km to Shiva temple).

I did not go to Chamba valley but usually it takes 5-6 days. Not sure that cabs are easy available in Chamba, buses are regular but one needs to wait for them some hours.

ronsaik

Ashish and davyd: really appreciate the inputs. Will hopefully be able to share some nuggets of my own come October.

solo_trekker

Hiya...
Sorry for the delay in filing my Trek Report...!
Actually, I had been kinda apprehensive about filing it as it almost turned into a Death Report...!
But, Am Alive n Kicking...!
Cheers...!