Kalindi pass trek - some questions

wandersUnlimited

Hello All,
We are planning to do the Kalindi pass trek in 2008 starting from Gangotri to Badrinath. I had some questions which I could not find in earlier postings, so here they are -
a. We are two trekkers. We will carry a 4 person tent.Is it possible for us to do the trek independently, with one guide & only one porter ( mostly to carry food load)?
b. Can you rate the climb / or descent technically ( 1-5 scale 1 - easy, 5 difficult with rock climbing skills). What minimum necessary equipment I need to carry - rope, carabiners, snow shoes, etc.?
c. Is any permissions from Army / Govt agencies required ?
d. List of trek agencies who can source only the guide, porter & the equipment to us, without pinching our pockets much
e. Has anyone attempted this trek on tight budget, instead of the usual lavish figures advertised by most of the trek operators.
f. Best month to do this trek?

Thanks in advance for your replies.


Best Regards,
Wandarsunlimited

praks

To answer your questions as best as I can.

a. It is possible to do the trek independently. But besides the guide and porter, you may also consider taking a cook. It is also better to carry two 2-man tents and a kitchen tarp instead of one 4-man tent.
b. Rating is as per an individual's ability and experience so a novice will find this trek a grade 4 or more while one with experience will find it grade 2. Rope and carabiners should always be carried but you should know how to use them. Please elaborate what you mean by snowshoes. Koflachs or equivalent not required. Three season trekking boots will be needed.
c. Arwa valley lies within the inner line so ILP required after you cross Kalindi Khal.
d.Several trekking agencies in Uttarkashi. Independent porters, guide and cook also available at cheaper rates but may not be reliable. Since most people do not return to Uttarkashi after the trek you may need to hire it at N. Delhi.
e. Quite a few people I know have done this trek on their own but they had the experience to do so.
f. IMHO the best month is September.

Hope this helps.

wandersUnlimited

Thanx praks.

solo_trekker

hiya...

i've been thinkin n wantin to do this trek for quite a while...
and soo have been keepin' track...

if u remember, last season, there were several trekkers who had been stranded and finally were airlifted by the indian army in coordination with the concerned tour operator... most of them were foreigners and the ministries were also involved in the rescue operation...

what had happened was that there was unprecedented snowfall of several feet in a span of less than 12 hours and everything went haywire... the crevices which were all now covered forced the hikers to just stay put in the frozen conditions...

had recently met someone who spends close to six months at gangotri... from the information this gentleman gave me, there are gonna be a whole lot of new restrictions put in place for this season... soo, am not really sure, if independent trekkers will actually be allowed...

btw, if allowed, i would have loved to join in with a few like-minded trekkers myself...

cheers...!

wandersUnlimited

Hey solo_trekker,
Thanx for the information. I hope our govt. doesn't go and stop this trek route.
I welcome you to join on this trek, I haven't fixed any timetable as yet, dates between Aug & Sep are fine.
I am more concerned is finding an agency who can supply porter & a guide at a reasonable price. If you can let me know whom to contact say in Uttarkashi or Gangotri then we can get things moving.

Thank again & keep in touch.

Regards,
WandersUnlimited

Dilliwala

Registration and Compliance of Treks
Govt to regulate tourist flow to Gongotri glaciers

wandersUnlimited

Hello Dilliwala,
Thanks for the link to the threads. It seems that the authorities are talking abt is ILP complusion only.
If what you and others have written abt regarding compulsary registering ALL treks is true then it's a disaster! Trekking is all about free spirit & adventure. Everyone who treks in high altitude is aware of the risks to their lives, & depend only on nature being kind to them by providing good weather conditions. I have seen deaths of hundreds of pilgrims at Amarnath Yatra in '96 due to sudden snow fall. People blamed govt. for the disaster! Thats why authorities end up putting so many restrictions to save their ass.
The foreigners who come to India, should be made to register & pay security fees, they can very well afford it. They should also know that rescue operation in India is not mandatory on any authorities as it is in their home countries, simply because India is still a poor country, & cannot afford maintaining such high cost helicopter fleet & skilled personnel.

Regards,
WandersUnlimited

Dilliwala

If this is actually carried through, I think what's going to happen is firstly there'll be a lot of confusion, not to mention chaos, and eventually they'll settle for something like giving everyone permits at a price. Just more paperwork, more bureaucracy, application in triplicate, 2 pp-size photos, copy of ration card.....
In any case one already has to pay Forest Dept. fees on the way.

I suppose one month from now everything will be clear. I've yet to hear of any actual reports - granted that in the off-season there'll have been no more than one or two trek parties applying, if any.

In any case, I hope you noted the info for KK trek - whatever happens or doesn't happen re registration, etc., you still need 2 ILPs to go across to Badrinath.

sanjava7

Last year, I too, with the help of a local guide from Gangotri attempted to do it from Gangotri to Badrinath via the Kalandi Khal. It was the month of August (generally not recommended) and I was really stuck up in rains for two days at Nandanvan.

Eventually, all my supplies, gear, tents & sleeping bag were wet & was forced to back off. The thought of completing the trek still lingers in my mind. Aboviously, I could be a good asset on the trek to your group.

MEANING, can I too join as the fourth man. If its possible I can give a thought on my hoildays.

SANJAVA

Chandanm

Hi Sajava & wandersUnlimited ... I am very much keen on doing this trek this year ...
Hav u fixed any dates yet ?? ..
Can i join in for the trek with u guys ??

Cheers

Chandan

kchetan78

Hi,

Have you guys fixed on the dates.
I was also planning to do this trek.

If you guys don't mind then can i also join you people.

Rgds
Chetan

Chandanm

Hi KChetan ...

I managed to find a grp which is going to KK ... my situation was similar to u ..

Can u giv me ur mail id here ...i will send u all the details .

Cheers

Chandan

kchetan78

Hi,

My mail id is kchetan78@yahoo.com

Rgds
Chetan

crimsonharsh

We did the same route last year just 2 week ahead of that unfortunate event but the permit/permission scene was very different at that time. Had a word with our guide yesterday and he says that the authorities are strict this year but still it can be managed. You can have a word with him directly (Shambhu Ji 0-9359955146)

http://kalindikhal.blogspot.com/
http://picasaweb.google.com/harsh.sh...alindiKhalTrek