Nandikund Trek September-October 2009

babuchand

Getting ready for our yearly endeavour.

This time it is a trek to nandikund in Madhyamaheshwar valley higher up the ridge between kedar valley and badri valley.

As ever, IMer traveljoy is accompanying me.

our probable itinerary is like this...

20 sept day 1 : haridwar to ukhimath
21 sept day 2 : ukhimath to uniana by jeep then trek to bantoli/panchwati lodge
22 sept Day 3 : trek to madhyamaheshwar
23 sept day 4 : trek to kanchni khal camp
24 sept day 5 : kanchni tal visit - then to pandavsera
25 sept day 6 : Pandavsera to nandikund trek
26 sept day 7 : nandikund to pandavsera to dewari gad
27 sept day 8 : dwari gad to kanchni khal / dhula udiyar
28 sept day 9 : trek to panchwati lodge
29 sept day10 : trek to uniana then jeep to ukhimath
30 sept day11 : rest day (deoriya tal)
01 Oct day12 : deoriya tal to ukhimath to haridwar

anyone having any last minue suggestions or weather update please write in.

wish us good luck

__________________
Njoy

babu
visit : http://www.webmania.co.za/travelmania/babu/index.shtml

"The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget."

Sudhir

Hi Babu,

Wish you all the best for the trek. I dont know much about this trek, however i can give you some update on the weather. Its been raining continously in and around Delhi and in the areas of Haridwar and Hrishikesh also. I guess 20 September is too far and i hope weather will be clear by that time.

travel joy

Hi all,

We completed the trek successfully as per our plans. Considering the trek I have the following observations to make which might help anyone willing to try it in future:

1) This is a less travelled path and provides a different flavour to a trekker altogether. Considering the geography, there are also chances of a lot of exploration in this area. The flora and fauna of the area around Pandavsera is amazing. One needs to spend a whole day in Nandikund to photograph and enjoy the surroundings. The Choukhamba is best visible from the eastern corner of the lake as one rises a bit high towards the Ghia vinayak pass.

In our case the porters were unwilling to camp in the Kund due to the recent uncertain weather. Observing the weather conditions we agreed and were proved right as it started snowing as soon as we came down from the Kund.

2) Completing the trek to Helang across Ghia vinayak is a better option than retracing back to Madhyamaheshwar from Nandikund. It takes the same number of days but it also offers a different route to walk on. It is also a bit more challenging as crossing a pass at around 5200 metres is no easy task. But for that, the best weather should be in July/August. But in case the weather gets foul midway in the trek, the best option is to stay put in Pandavsera which is the safest palce in the entire route.

3) The complete trek from Ukhimath to Helang will be rated as strenuous, especially when one is carrying a heavy rucksack. It is a long trek in high altitude, and after Madmaheshwar, and the trail goes across ridges all through and one keeps gets out of breath while climbing up steep gradients which goes up to 60 degrees at certain points. But still there are no such difficult scree zones or glaciers to cross.

4) A group needs a good guide and porter support to complete this trek properly. The trail is not marked in many places and there are a few streams to be crossed which requires some helping hand.

5) A side trip to Kanchni tal can be considered and for that after reaching Kanchni pass, one has to climb towards the left and find the camping spot. It takes about an hour and half to reach the tal but unless one is sure to get a clear weather to get a good view of Chaukhamba from the ridge above the lake, it is not worth a visit.

If one plans to avoid Kanchni Tal, camping at Lonethree, about a kilometre and a half from the pass is a better option. In that case it is advisable to start early from Madhyamaheshwar as it is a steep path all through and needs a lot of energy.

6) It is surely advisable to keep a day or two in hand for the complete trail as some of the days can prove to be quite strenuous on the leg muscles and one may have to camp earlier than expected.

7) A good stock of food and supplies is needed as its hard to find things after Ransi. A spare stock of batteries for all electronic items and lamps is advisable.

Thanks.

roy_supratim05

Congrats Babuchand & Traveljoy.

Good writings and nice tips. This will help a lot, I've plans for this trek around next year September-October, lets see, what happens.

Eagerly waiting for the snaps. Keep us updated.

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Supratim

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