Kalindikhal trek....how difficult is it really??

Grant Sinclair · Mar 28th, 2007, 18:18

Hi everyone,
I need a bit of help. I am aware there are already a few threads concerning the Kalindikhal trek but unfortunately none that really give me the information I am looking for. So firstly apologies for starting a new thread.
I am flying together with a friend in June to India and we have been looking at loads of treks. We saw the pictures from a few who had done the Kalindikhal trek and the scenery was just amazing, so we made a few inquiries and since then we have made have also various offers from trekking companies.
Now to my concern. I just have no real idea whether Kalindikhal might simply be too demanding for a first Himalaya trek. The information from the trekking companies is always somewhat vague and the day to day itineraries don’t exactly enlighten. We just don’t want to make the mistake of doing a trek which we might not be able to finish.
As background, we have climbed many +3000m mountains in the alps without any problems and done many of these so-called “iron rope” tours. We are obviously both sure-footed and not too worried about heights and camping in cold is nothing new to us (we were last year in January camping in the Austrian alps at –20°C….and hey I am Scotsman J
The experience we do not have is anything involving crampons, ice axes, glaciers etc, so any 70° ice walls are not exactly what we should be doing!! and obviously we have not trekked at such heights.
We would obviously only consider the trek with a decent trekking company (but then again, this is also another problem because how the hell do you tell which are the legitimate ones and which are not?) Sometimes we get the impression that the Indian companies don’t really worry too much about your suitability in advance of the tour.
The fact is that we would love to do an adventurous tour at a higher altitude, but also one which is realistically within our capabilities.
I would be really grateful for any feedback on this subject and if needed maybe a few alternatives.
Thanks very much in advance
Grant

Trishul · Mar 28th, 2007, 18:39

hi,
this nice trek in the himalya its pass through gangotri,gomukh,tapovan,sunder van and then nandan van.
its mite difficult in the motn of june because you can found lots of ice there 7 fix rope in some patch just near khalandi peak to khalandi pass so you may some practice of ice axe,crampons but its easy.
some company do every thing easy like fixed rope from their instructors.
If you have time then try to makr time in the month of septembar because that time you found little bit of ice but in every place flowers & bugyals(Alpine medows)
Yours
trishul

kaushaldesai · Apr 3rd, 2007, 18:34

hello grant

If you are planning to cross Kalindi in june you will need the plastic mountaineering boots and gaiters. Crampons will be an added advantage. there are no stretches on the trek where you will encounter 70 degree ice walls. so do not worry. average walking hours every day will be 6-8 hrs. I have run kalindi Pass trek consecutively for the last 2 years in 2005 i did it in June end and in 2006 i did it in Sep i personally found crossing the pass much easier in Sep. June the problem was we found snow from nandanvan onwards and after that it was a lot of drudging in snow.

feel free to buzz me if you have more questions.

kaushal

kaushaldesai · Apr 3rd, 2007, 18:40

oooppsss sorry some good alternatives for the trek could be:

1) Pin- Parvati trek - June end - Sep
2) Hampta pass - Chandertal - Baralachala - June end - Sep
3) Kibber - Tso moriri - Korzok - July - Sep
4) Bara bangal - June mid week onwards before july or Sep

All these treks involve crossing passes between 4800 Mts and 5600 Mts.

kaushal

VSK Sharma · Apr 5th, 2007, 23:23

Hi, I agree with what has been written till now. Still I felt like adding the following:-
KK is a trek where you are crossing one of the highest passes on trekking routes in India.
You are moving in an area where you have to be self sufficient.
You get lot many guides and porters for this trek as it is quite popular these days.
I will suggest that you reach India and go to Gangotri on your own, not much problem. From Gangotri do the Kedartal trek and this will give you a good idea of the Himalayan trekking. I don't suggest Gaumukh as it is a pilgrim trail. If everything is fine and you have adjusted to altitude at Kedartal, go back to Uttarkashi for a day and obtain permissions required for the trek and move up. If you find the Kedartal going tough think again about KK and plan some other small treks in the region.
VSK

AvidTrekker · Apr 7th, 2007, 12:28

I would agree with VSK Sharma, do a light trek first, where you can assess the quality of service provided by your agency, THEN go for your permits [mandated by the Govt of India for visiting areas within 5 km of the int'l border].

After you have your permits in hand, go for the KK trek.

Again, June is not a month which I would choose. Possibility of lots of ice and snow. At best you might be facing a tedious drudge thru thigh deep snow and at worst encounter hard ice where the feet just slip. It could be just a fifty foot section, but that alone would require AT LEAST an ice axe and ice screws with carabiners and rope to anchor yourself while you cross the section.

Its do-able, but with the safety of ice equipment as back up.

If you do it in September, you may not need even an ice axe.

If you still go ahead in June, it might be possible without the said equipment, but be prepared to make a realistic skills assessment of your own skills and back out [and return] if the risk is more than what you bargained for...

AvidTrekker · Apr 7th, 2007, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant Sinclair

We would obviously only consider the trek with a decent trekking company (but then again, this is also another problem because how the hell do you tell which are the legitimate ones and which are not?)

Some agencies are recognized by the IMF which people consider as "better". They charge top dollar [80 to 120 USD per head per day] and overall service is not bad. Many of them are sub-contractors for famous US Companies like KE Adventures etc.

Quote:

Sometimes we get the impression that the Indian companies don’t really worry too much about your suitability in advance of the tour.

Not SOMETIMES ..... ALL THE TIME. Their concern is their income. They take advance payment. If the trekker flounders on a bad patch more than "necessary" in a trek, they will simply advice you to back off and do something simpler. They do hold your hands and pull you up, belay you and help you.. but if you are not good enuff in the end, there is precious little that they can do. They are quite ethical about this and will not impose some random decision upon you. [some of the cheap ones are quite bad so I wouldn't even discuss them... they can be hired based on reliable recommendation ONLY]

Quote:

The fact is that we would love to do an adventurous tour at a higher altitude, but also one which is realistically within our capabilities.

Very much possible, but change your timing to July 2nd week at the earliest. Before that, the only thing that i recommend is the Thorang La crossing in Nepal. [around annapurna trek][there too, this June schedules Nepali elections... an avoidable period]

Read this... [76 yr old man crossing]

Read this account of the Kalindi khal crossing.... [half written]

Both indicate use of fixed ropes and rappelling down long stretches.... not your everyday trek here..

Quote:

I would be really grateful for any feedback on this subject and if needed maybe a few alternatives.
Thanks very much in advance
Grant

Subject to "June is difficult" here are some alternatives..

1. Buran, Gunas, Rupin, Borasu passes from Uttaranchal to Sangla.

2. Pin Parvati and Pin Bhaba Passes

3. Larsa way pass in Kinnaur

4. Unta Dhura pass above Milam

5. Dhumdar Kandi Pass in Uttaranchal

6. Parang La from Kibber[HP] to Ladakh [this is one of the highest trekking passes at 5580m, but Kalindi Khal is even higher]

These are all off the cuff recommendations. If I sit with a map, I could give you some 100 plus recommendations.

Grant Sinclair · Apr 17th, 2007, 17:53

Hi Everyone,
Sorry that I only get back to you all now, have been away for a couple of weeks. Just got to read all of your replies. Firstly thanks a lot for the information, you have all been very helpful!
We have decided against trying the Kalindikhal trek simply because as you all say it might be a touch adventurous for our first Himalayan experience!
We have narrowed our choices down and we have decided to be more conservative and see how things go (especially regarding the altitude). We would really still like to see this particular area and the 2 goals which we are considering are to trek up to Tapovan and spend some time there. The views seem spectacular and there appear to be good options to explore. Other option is the Vasukital which also looks great (Thanks for tip VSK). Correct me if I am wrong but from what I read, it seems that these treks can be combined?
We definitely want to go with a trekking company simply because of our lack of knowledge in the area. It seems it wouldn't be a problem to get up to Gangotri on our own. However, since our time is limited we would like to organise the treks in advance if we can. Most companies we find offer the treks starting from Delhi which would be wasted time for us. Any tips on guides/companies direct in Gangotri whom we could contact. Or what would you advise here?
Thank again and looking forward to reading your replies!
Grant

AvidTrekker · Apr 17th, 2007, 19:06

The Govt owned GMVN is a good agency to hire for your first outing.

They are pricey but reliable.

;
;
;

Grant Sinclair · Apr 18th, 2007, 17:32

Thanks again. We will probably ask the GMVN for a quote. Have also asked Himadventures.
Another question. Is it feasible to connect the 2 treks without things getting too technical? Otherwise we would just like do 2 treks from Gangotri to Tapovan (and if possible onto Nandanvan)and back..... and then up from Gangotri to Kedartal.
Thanks
Grant

Trishul · Apr 20th, 2007, 18:52

hi,
as regarding kalindikhal trek its difficult but if you have any experience about high latitude trekkking or Expedition then its easy but you try in the Sept-Oct because in the may or june due to snow falls its may difficult & risky.
You can do Tapovan,Nandanvan

Mar 28th, 2007, 18:18	#1
Grant Sinclair Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ulm Germany Posts: 3	Kalindikhal trek....how difficult is it really?? Hi everyone, I need a bit of help. I am aware there are already a few threads concerning the Kalindikhal trek but unfortunately none that really give me the information I am looking for. So firstly apologies for starting a new thread. I am flying together with a friend in June to India and we have been looking at loads of treks. We saw the pictures from a few who had done the Kalindikhal trek and the scenery was just amazing, so we made a few inquiries and since then we have made have also various offers from trekking companies. Now to my concern. I just have no real idea whether Kalindikhal might simply be too demanding for a first Himalaya trek. The information from the trekking companies is always somewhat vague and the day to day itineraries don’t exactly enlighten. We just don’t want to make the mistake of doing a trek which we might not be able to finish. As background, we have climbed many +3000m mountains in the alps without any problems and done many of these so-called “iron rope” tours. We are obviously both sure-footed and not too worried about heights and camping in cold is nothing new to us (we were last year in January camping in the Austrian alps at –20°C….and hey I am Scotsman J The experience we do not have is anything involving crampons, ice axes, glaciers etc, so any 70° ice walls are not exactly what we should be doing!! and obviously we have not trekked at such heights. We would obviously only consider the trek with a decent trekking company (but then again, this is also another problem because how the hell do you tell which are the legitimate ones and which are not?) Sometimes we get the impression that the Indian companies don’t really worry too much about your suitability in advance of the tour. The fact is that we would love to do an adventurous tour at a higher altitude, but also one which is realistically within our capabilities. I would be really grateful for any feedback on this subject and if needed maybe a few alternatives. Thanks very much in advance Grant

Apr 5th, 2007, 23:23	#5
VSK Sharma Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune,India Posts: 405	First time trekking in Himalaya Hi, I agree with what has been written till now. Still I felt like adding the following:- KK is a trek where you are crossing one of the highest passes on trekking routes in India. You are moving in an area where you have to be self sufficient. You get lot many guides and porters for this trek as it is quite popular these days. I will suggest that you reach India and go to Gangotri on your own, not much problem. From Gangotri do the Kedartal trek and this will give you a good idea of the Himalayan trekking. I don't suggest Gaumukh as it is a pilgrim trail. If everything is fine and you have adjusted to altitude at Kedartal, go back to Uttarkashi for a day and obtain permissions required for the trek and move up. If you find the Kedartal going tough think again about KK and plan some other small treks in the region. VSK

Apr 7th, 2007, 12:28	#6
AvidTrekker Veda Chanting & Mantra Yoga teacher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: body in Mumbai, head in Himalaya Posts: 2,779	go ahead... I would agree with VSK Sharma, do a light trek first, where you can assess the quality of service provided by your agency, THEN go for your permits [mandated by the Govt of India for visiting areas within 5 km of the int'l border]. After you have your permits in hand, go for the KK trek. Again, June is not a month which I would choose. Possibility of lots of ice and snow. At best you might be facing a tedious drudge thru thigh deep snow and at worst encounter hard ice where the feet just slip. It could be just a fifty foot section, but that alone would require AT LEAST an ice axe and ice screws with carabiners and rope to anchor yourself while you cross the section. Its do-able, but with the safety of ice equipment as back up. If you do it in September, you may not need even an ice axe. If you still go ahead in June, it might be possible without the said equipment, but be prepared to make a realistic skills assessment of your own skills and back out [and return] if the risk is more than what you bargained for... __________________ The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

Apr 17th, 2007, 17:53	#8
Grant Sinclair Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ulm Germany Posts: 3	Thank you everyone and some more questions! Hi Everyone, Sorry that I only get back to you all now, have been away for a couple of weeks. Just got to read all of your replies. Firstly thanks a lot for the information, you have all been very helpful! We have decided against trying the Kalindikhal trek simply because as you all say it might be a touch adventurous for our first Himalayan experience! We have narrowed our choices down and we have decided to be more conservative and see how things go (especially regarding the altitude). We would really still like to see this particular area and the 2 goals which we are considering are to trek up to Tapovan and spend some time there. The views seem spectacular and there appear to be good options to explore. Other option is the Vasukital which also looks great (Thanks for tip VSK). Correct me if I am wrong but from what I read, it seems that these treks can be combined? We definitely want to go with a trekking company simply because of our lack of knowledge in the area. It seems it wouldn't be a problem to get up to Gangotri on our own. However, since our time is limited we would like to organise the treks in advance if we can. Most companies we find offer the treks starting from Delhi which would be wasted time for us. Any tips on guides/companies direct in Gangotri whom we could contact. Or what would you advise here? Thank again and looking forward to reading your replies! Grant

Apr 17th, 2007, 19:06	#9
AvidTrekker Veda Chanting & Mantra Yoga teacher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: body in Mumbai, head in Himalaya Posts: 2,779	Agency is GMVN The Govt owned GMVN is a good agency to hire for your first outing. They are pricey but reliable. ; ; ;

Mar 28th, 2007, 18:39	#2
Trishul Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Himalayas Posts: 53	hi, this nice trek in the himalya its pass through gangotri,gomukh,tapovan,sunder van and then nandan van. its mite difficult in the motn of june because you can found lots of ice there 7 fix rope in some patch just near khalandi peak to khalandi pass so you may some practice of ice axe,crampons but its easy. some company do every thing easy like fixed rope from their instructors. If you have time then try to makr time in the month of septembar because that time you found little bit of ice but in every place flowers & bugyals(Alpine medows) Yours trishul

Apr 3rd, 2007, 18:34	#3
kaushaldesai Account Closed Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manali Posts: 31	hello grant If you are planning to cross Kalindi in june you will need the plastic mountaineering boots and gaiters. Crampons will be an added advantage. there are no stretches on the trek where you will encounter 70 degree ice walls. so do not worry. average walking hours every day will be 6-8 hrs. I have run kalindi Pass trek consecutively for the last 2 years in 2005 i did it in June end and in 2006 i did it in Sep i personally found crossing the pass much easier in Sep. June the problem was we found snow from nandanvan onwards and after that it was a lot of drudging in snow. feel free to buzz me if you have more questions. kaushal

Apr 3rd, 2007, 18:40	#4
kaushaldesai Account Closed Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manali Posts: 31	oooppsss sorry some good alternatives for the trek could be: 1) Pin- Parvati trek - June end - Sep 2) Hampta pass - Chandertal - Baralachala - June end - Sep 3) Kibber - Tso moriri - Korzok - July - Sep 4) Bara bangal - June mid week onwards before july or Sep All these treks involve crossing passes between 4800 Mts and 5600 Mts. kaushal

Apr 18th, 2007, 17:32	#10
Grant Sinclair Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ulm Germany Posts: 3	Combining treks to Tapovan and Kedartal? Thanks again. We will probably ask the GMVN for a quote. Have also asked Himadventures. Another question. Is it feasible to connect the 2 treks without things getting too technical? Otherwise we would just like do 2 treks from Gangotri to Tapovan (and if possible onto Nandanvan)and back..... and then up from Gangotri to Kedartal. Thanks Grant

Apr 20th, 2007, 18:52	#11
Trishul Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Himalayas Posts: 53	hi, as regarding kalindikhal trek its difficult but if you have any experience about high latitude trekkking or Expedition then its easy but you try in the Sept-Oct because in the may or june due to snow falls its may difficult & risky. You can do Tapovan,Nandanvan

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