McLeodGanj - Indrahar Trek

WavesOnTheShore

Hi,
Me and 3 friends have finally finalized our plans to go for a trek to the Himalayas - Indrahar pass in third week of October. Out of the 4 of us, 3 are going trekking for the first time. Lets call the one who's left K.

If some of you respond saying that this is the wrong trek route to take for newbies like us - I am with you all the way (I think all of us except K is with you ).

Well to make a long story short, the tickets have been booked. The guide has been booked.
However, the more I read up forums like India Mike and others, I'm wondering if we're being extremely foolhardy. Feel free to second that without sugar coating if you need to.

Having said all that. I need advice with regards to the following:
1. Do you think we should give Indrahar a miss and simply trek to a lower altitude destination?
2. If its okay to give Indrahar a shot, we're shooting to reach mcleod on monday and back to chamba on saturday, as we have bookings to set off from Chakki bank on Sunday early morning train. Is that enough time for this trek? or is it cutting too close?
3. In case your answer to Q1 was "Yes". We have made our bookings to and from Chakki Bank. Is there another trek route which would be more suitable close to that place?
4. K also thinks he can do without porters. How crazy is that? Or is he okay?
5. What kind of food items should be taken for the trek. Is it possible to consider not taking a stove at all?

All kinds and manner of advice is welcome and looked forward to. I will most probably not take offense at any kind offered. However, explanations with advice would be helpful for me to understand things.

Thanks
Anj

kidsan

hi!
When you say indrahar pass trek i presume you mean the whole trek i.e. to machetar? as opposed to just going up to the pass and back which is what i've done.
If you're gonna get to mcleod on the monday, that means, i presume, starting the trek the next morning, thus giving you basically 4 days to get to machetar. You would then need a day to get the bus back to chakki to get your train
the next morning.

This sounds pretty tight to me tho i may have misunderstood something?

Anyway, as for the trek itself, i can tell you about the 1st part up to the pass. I have been up there a coupla times alone. The route up to the pass is pretty clear though it is a bit of a haul. I have only done it carrying very minimal gear. Im not so sure i'd wanna do it carrying a full pack but it's defiantely possible...depends on how fit you are? The altitude defiantely kicks in, and especially if you're trying to do it quickly, i.e. without acclimatising in mcleod as i did. I would say that coming straight up from the plains to the pass in 2 or 3 days could be a bit much! I took it slow, having been in mcleod for a while 1st and then taking 2 nights to get to the pass (sleeping in a cave at 3500mts the 2nd night.)

As for food, well, depends if you want hot food or not? You will be able to get a hot meal at the last chaishop the 1st night but not after that.

Ok hope this is of some help...pm me if you want more info.

kieran

WavesOnTheShore

Thanks for responding..

Yes we were thinking of going forward to Machetar. How many days do we save if we just come back down the way we came up?
Also to clarify further,
1. we would be staying overnight in Mcleod / dharamshala before starting the trek on the first day.
So say, Monday we reach Dharamshala,
2. then tuesday we start the trek from Mc Leod to triund. Stay overnight at triund on Tuesday
3. proceed to Lahesh cave on Wednesday. Stay at Lahesh Cave on Wednesday.

So either from there we go on to Indrahar pass and then forth to kuarsi or back from Indrahar pass. How much time difference would there be between the two options? And also do you think we should take another day's additional rest while going up even if were to eventually come back the way we went up?

Are there other trek route options in that area that you're aware of?

Thanks,
Anj

kidsan

Anj,
As far as i know, there are still 3 full days of trekking after the lahesh cave i.e. 5 days in total and it seems you only have 4. This is also without taking acclimatisation into account.

This said, i would probably suggest that you only go up to the pass and back which you could do in 4 days easily (i went from lahesh cave to the pass and back down to mcleod in one very long day tho i wouldnt recommend this!)

The advantages of doing this are:

- you shouldn't need a guide...route is pretty easy to find)
- you dont need to carry much gear! you could get away with mats and sleeping bags and just stay in the chai shop at triund (or the snowline if triund is full) and the cave. you can also leave most of your gear in the cave and travel light up to the pass...believe me, this is a good option!
- you wont need cooker or much food. You can get lunch at snowline and then just take up some snacks for supper and breakfast and be back at the snowline for lunch!

ok, hope this helps...K

WavesOnTheShore

Thankyou very much Kidsan for taking time out for the suggestion given.

Will try to convince the others to see the sense in coming back the way we went.

Bulwinkle Moose

This is the infamous "K" of your question! You are dead! And you also called me crazy?!!!

davyd

is pretty much easy, not sure the pass itself can be reachable in one day but once you're up in Triund (which is in 2 hours leisurely walk from small Shiva temple just above Dharamkot) you can see it. There is a cave on the way where some people halt for a while. Then I don't know - descend to the road to Chamba takes 2 days I think, so 4 days should be enough.

WavesOnTheShore

Err.. Hi K...
Just for the record, I never said K was crazy I was wondering if that one idea is okay or crazy. thats it.

himadventures

davyd !

Triund is certainly not a two hrs. walk from little shiv temple.
And I am of the view that crossing pass in this time of the year is possible if one gets a window of sunny day. But if snowfall starts- then you have to come back as last section of the pass is steep and is hand-knee job.

Same scene is of descending.

manjeet

[quote=WavesOnTheShore;384751]Hi,
Me and 3 friends have finally finalized our plans to go for a trek to the Himalayas - Indrahar pass in third week of October. Out of the 4 of us, 3 are going trekking for the first time. Lets call the one who's left K.

If some of you respond saying that this is the wrong trek route to take for newbies like us - I am with you all the way (I think all of us except K is with you ).

Well to make a long story short, the tickets have been booked. The guide has been booked.
However, the more I read up forums like India Mike and others, I'm wondering if we're being extremely foolhardy. Feel free to second that without sugar coating if you need to.

Having said all that. I need advice with regards to the following:
1. Do you think we should give Indrahar a miss and simply trek to a lower altitude destination?
2. If its okay to give Indrahar a shot, we're shooting to reach mcleod on monday and back to chamba on saturday, as we have bookings to set off from Chakki bank on Sunday early morning train. Is that enough time for this trek? or is it cutting too close?
3. In case your answer to Q1 was "Yes". We have made our bookings to and from Chakki Bank. Is there another trek route which would be more suitable close to that place?
4. K also thinks he can do without porters. How crazy is that? Or is he okay?
5. What kind of food items should be taken for the trek. Is it possible to consider not taking a stove at all?

All kinds and manner of advice is welcome and looked forward to. I will most probably not take offense at any kind offered. However, explanations with advice would be helpful for me to understand things.

manjeet

1)Mcleodganj - Triund (2994 mts/9818 ft.) 10 kms/3-4 hrs
Early breakfast - your trek begins towards Triund passing through Dhramkot. The trail to Triund is generally gentle except last few kms. Dinner & overnight in tents.

2) Triund – Lahesh Cave (3598 mts/11800 ft) 9 kms/ 3-4 hrs
Post breakfast - This day the trail follows the ridge behind the prayer flags above the. The trail climbs generally through oak and conifer forest and across the open meadows to the encampment at Laka Got. The last 200 - 300 mts is tiring to Lahesh Cave. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Lahesh Cave - Indrahar Pass (4375 mts/14,350 ft) - Chatru Parao (12 kms/6 -7 hrs)
3) Early morning breakfast. Commence uphill trek with packed lunch. At the higher elevations there is a a steep 300 - 400 m ascent towards the crest of the Dhaula Dhar, before a 1 Km traverse just below the ridge to the Indrahar Pass. From the pass one can view Pir Panjal Range in the north and Mani Mahesh Kailash (5656 M) peak in the east. Descend from the pass to Chatru Parao. Dinner & overnight in tents

3)Chatru Parao - Kuarsi (2747 mts/9010 ft) 15 kms/ 6 - 7 hrs
Start trek with packed lunch, the trail follows the true left of the valley for the first few kms. Later the trek crosses the valley on a permanent snow bridge and ascends steeply to an open meadow. Continue down the true right of the valley and after crossing a series of meadows finally descends to Kurasi. Dinner & overnight in tents

4)Kuarsi Chamba
this is way to do indhara pss and go to chamba
5) day chakki bank in train

himadventures

weather is big issue but do gamble as it is worth of it. You can only decide about an attempt to crossover after you reach LAHESH CAVES.

If you got a god guide- he will carry some equipment with him as this time weather is slightly hanky panky up there. But you may get a 'window' and sail through.

Even if you could not- still this is very scenic place....do not miss FEEL of it.

There is no trek near CHAKKI BANK as this is plain area...and mountain is far off.

WavesOnTheShore

Hey Guys!
Thanks for your valuable advice.
We went up the Indrahar Pass, had a wonderful view of the Pir Panjal Range, and came back to Laka from there.
here are the pics http://picasaweb.google.com/anjali.l...October200702/

There had been snowfall for a couple of days before we went.. which made it turn out to be a little more adventurous / thrilling than we had set out for.. but all in all it turned out to be a wonderful experience!

Anj

kaizenlife

Hi,


how does one arrange for porters and guides for trek to Indrahar Pass who know the area well. Also, how to ensure that you are not overcharged for the same?

I am doing it for the first time, planning in November end. Is that a good idea?

aviram

Hey Kaizen,

November end is a little late for the trek.... it may snow then...or it will quite certain snow after laka..

dont worry abt porters, u can get as many as u want at mcleodganj or at dharamshala. You can pay anywhere between 250 to 350 a day for a good porter cum guide (depending on the food arrangement).

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