New to you all; Trek Aug '08: Kinnaur Parikrama; Amrit Ganga valley from Joshimath?

Tcube · Feb 5th, 2008, 05:08

very keen for a trek in Aug '08 -have Kinnaur parikrama in mind, alternately want to have informations regarding Amrit Ganga valley ( from Joshimath)
please could any one help?

doIhavetoReally · Feb 5th, 2008, 05:51

I am sure other IMers can..
FYI -- Have you looked at the forums for related information? I have seen threads on this..

Dilliwala · Feb 8th, 2008, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcube

very keen for a trek in Aug '08 -have Kinnaur parikrama in mind, alternately want to have informations regarding Amrit Ganga valley ( from Joshimath)
please could any one help?

Seems I saw the Amritganga in Nov without knowing it!

For that area u will definitely need an Inner Line Permit to go beyond Gamshali. Maybe a Forest Dept permit also, u can check at Joshimath.

Read up the info about the 'Niti/Dhauliganga Valley' here.

Tcube · Feb 15th, 2008, 04:55

Many Thanks to Dilliwala for your info. could I have some more details of the route- like how is the trek itself and the minute details which you think we might benefit from. Our team comprises of myself, my wife and cousin- all of us have only small experience in trekking across the Himalaya- have done Gomukh/Tapovan, Sandakphu,Kedar- Chorabalitaal, badri-Mana- Vasudhara, Chandrataal etc- nothing major as yet, but hope to spend more days whenever we get time

Also do you think that Kinaur is a viable option around Mid Aug?

Dilliwala · Feb 15th, 2008, 18:54

Phew! That's a lot more than I've done! Unfortunately I can't help u much as I'm not a trekker, in fact I heard of the Amritganga for the first time from your initial post. Only some googling led me to conclude that I actually saw the end of the river recently.

However here are a few links which I hope will help u:

http://www.indiatravelogue.com/adve/moun/moun8_3.html
This describes the trek by someone who's actually done it, unfortunately the hard info is scanty.

The trek is also described to some extent by Harish Kapadia in two of his books (same text), 'High Himalaya Unknown Valleys' and 'Across Peaks & Passes in Garhwal Himalaya'.
There is also a rudimentary map showing the way from Gamshali upto Gupt Khal.
Click this google link, and then click the very first link - it will take u to the concerned pages.

From whatever little I've read, this seems a difficult trek and u will need an experienced guide to take u across. I hope the experts like Avid Trekker, himadventures, Sadanand Kamath, rajkumar, VSK Sharma, AndreasW, Almoraboy, uttam, among others, can help u better.

Regarding Kinnaur, I think it's not unviable in Aug, but again I wus defer to the experts. There is a lot of info though in this and the HP forum about Kinnaur, so I wud suggest you browse them for a bit.

Tcube · Feb 17th, 2008, 05:15

A warm thanks to Dilliwala. If I want some info from the experts what's the best way to do so? As I am new to you all, I am not quite sure how and who to approach..

Dilliwala · Feb 17th, 2008, 16:08

Normally u cud have sent them a PM (private msg), but right now your post-count is too low to have access to that feature. I guess u'll just have to wait till one of them drops by!

In any case the thread title has been changed to better reflect the topic, so with any luck it shud bring in more responses.

AvidTrekker · Feb 18th, 2008, 22:56

Considering your previous trekking experience (as stated by you), I would dissuade you from going to Amrit Ganga Valley or for the Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama.

If you follow Dilliwala's link, it leads you to Harish's book. A fairly good description of Amrit ganga valley is given and how they used a fixed rope to climb the final 200 m to the Gupt Khal (5760m)pass.

The other pass, Bhyundar Khal, is also 5090m. Quite high.

During the Kinnaur Kailash parikrama, you have to descend 6000 feet from Charang la to Chitkul in a single afternoon. Newbies have found this almost impossible even with walking sticks. Even experienced guys have their legs wobbling after such a descent.

I suggest you go for treks which are better for newcomers. Spend some time on the trekking forum. Look up "tea house treks" in the Forum. You will find all the info.

Tcube · Feb 20th, 2008, 05:09

Many thanks to Avid Trekker. I am sure that your advice is very appropriate considering that we are new to the field - but if we are really keen and try to gear ourselves physically in the coming few months, and with helps of porters/ guides could we not do it as Pijush did last year?

Any specialist tips please?

VSK Sharma · Feb 23rd, 2008, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcube

with helps of porters/ guides could we not do it as Pijush did last year?

Any specialist tips please?

Hi,
Can you provide details of "what Pijush did last year".
Thanks
VSK

Dilliwala · Feb 23rd, 2008, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by VSK Sharma

Hi,
Can you provide details of "what Pijush did last year".
Thanks
VSK

Queries on Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama in August '07

Tcube · Feb 24th, 2008, 07:06

Looking at the description of Kinnaur Kailash parikrama, I have developed the feeling that descent from charang La to chitkul is the toughest job. I have come across few stories that we could pitch tent somewhere on the way down- in other words can break the descent in 2 days. this was also mentioned in Pijush's itinerary prior to his trek but in reality he did not do that - I would really like your suggestions if this is at all a viable option?

And regarding contacts of guides/porters where and whom to contact please?

VSK Sharma · Feb 24th, 2008, 21:27

Hi,
Thanks for the information about what Pijush did last year. It was regarding Kinner Kailash (KK) parikrama and had nothing to do with the Amrit valley trek, about which the discussion had been going on along with KK trek.
Lot has been written about KK trek and certainly, Tcube you can manage it. Yes if there are knee problems with the team members it may be a big issue otherwise go ahead and do it.
As for Amrit valley trek I go totally with AvidTrekker. Who did it last. Harish Kapadia and friend did not get down on the otherside and retraced their path back to thier Base Camp.

VSK

Tcube · Feb 29th, 2008, 05:23

Back, but delayed. Many thanks to Sharma sahab, and considering the expert opinions, we have decided certainly against amrit ganga route, but are still highly motivated re the Kinnaur kailash parikrama. Once again I feel it will be important to know if there is any possiblity of staying somewhere overnight (camping site/etc) on the way down so that the descent from Charang La to Chitkul can be slightly less hectic. also we would highly appreciate any suggestions re porters/guides etc and if we could know when is Janmashtami in that region for 2008 please.

AvidTrekker · Feb 29th, 2008, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcube

Back, but delayed. Many thanks to Sharma sahab, and considering the expert opinions, we have decided certainly against amrit ganga route, but are still highly motivated re the Kinnaur kailash parikrama. Once again I feel it will be important to know if there is any possiblity of staying somewhere overnight (camping site/etc) on the way down so that the descent from Charang La to Chitkul can be slightly less hectic.

Its an almost continuous 45 degree slope. No water in between. The only possible "watered" camp site comes 45 mins. short of Chhitkul. If you have come so far... might as well walk the balance 45 mins. Am not discouraging you. Mentally preparing you. By all means try it out. You just could be biting off more than you can chew comfortably.

Quote:

also we would highly appreciate any suggestions re porters/guides etc and if we could know when is Janmashtami in that region for 2008 please.

Porters are available at Rekong Peo. Guides at Lambar, Charang. Janmashtami is on Saturday 23rd August 2008

Feb 5th, 2008, 05:08	#1
Tcube Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 12	New to you all; Trek Aug '08: Kinnaur Parikrama; Amrit Ganga valley from Joshimath? very keen for a trek in Aug '08 -have Kinnaur parikrama in mind, alternately want to have informations regarding Amrit Ganga valley ( from Joshimath) please could any one help? Last edited by machadinha : Feb 17th, 2008 at 06:51. Reason: adjusted title

Feb 18th, 2008, 22:56	#8
AvidTrekker mantra yoga teacher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: body in Mumbai, head in Himalaya Posts: 2,585	Amrit ganga Considering your previous trekking experience (as stated by you), I would dissuade you from going to Amrit Ganga Valley or for the Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama. If you follow Dilliwala's link, it leads you to Harish's book. A fairly good description of Amrit ganga valley is given and how they used a fixed rope to climb the final 200 m to the Gupt Khal (5760m)pass. The other pass, Bhyundar Khal, is also 5090m. Quite high. During the Kinnaur Kailash parikrama, you have to descend 6000 feet from Charang la to Chitkul in a single afternoon. Newbies have found this almost impossible even with walking sticks. Even experienced guys have their legs wobbling after such a descent. I suggest you go for treks which are better for newcomers. Spend some time on the trekking forum. Look up "tea house treks" in the Forum. You will find all the info. __________________ The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

Feb 24th, 2008, 21:27	#13
VSK Sharma Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune,India Posts: 369	Amrit valley trek. Hi, Thanks for the information about what Pijush did last year. It was regarding Kinner Kailash (KK) parikrama and had nothing to do with the Amrit valley trek, about which the discussion had been going on along with KK trek. Lot has been written about KK trek and certainly, Tcube you can manage it. Yes if there are knee problems with the team members it may be a big issue otherwise go ahead and do it. As for Amrit valley trek I go totally with AvidTrekker. Who did it last. Harish Kapadia and friend did not get down on the otherside and retraced their path back to thier Base Camp. VSK

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Feb 5th, 2008, 05:51	#2
doIhavetoReally Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dreams Posts: 24	I am sure other IMers can.. FYI -- Have you looked at the forums for related information? I have seen threads on this..

Feb 15th, 2008, 04:55	#4
Tcube Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 12	Many Thanks to Dilliwala for your info. could I have some more details of the route- like how is the trek itself and the minute details which you think we might benefit from. Our team comprises of myself, my wife and cousin- all of us have only small experience in trekking across the Himalaya- have done Gomukh/Tapovan, Sandakphu,Kedar- Chorabalitaal, badri-Mana- Vasudhara, Chandrataal etc- nothing major as yet, but hope to spend more days whenever we get time Also do you think that Kinaur is a viable option around Mid Aug?

Feb 15th, 2008, 18:54	#5
Dilliwala Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dilli Posts: 2,742	Phew! That's a lot more than I've done! Unfortunately I can't help u much as I'm not a trekker, in fact I heard of the Amritganga for the first time from your initial post. Only some googling led me to conclude that I actually saw the end of the river recently. However here are a few links which I hope will help u: http://www.indiatravelogue.com/adve/moun/moun8_3.html This describes the trek by someone who's actually done it, unfortunately the hard info is scanty. The trek is also described to some extent by Harish Kapadia in two of his books (same text), 'High Himalaya Unknown Valleys' and 'Across Peaks & Passes in Garhwal Himalaya'. There is also a rudimentary map showing the way from Gamshali upto Gupt Khal. Click this google link, and then click the very first link - it will take u to the concerned pages. From whatever little I've read, this seems a difficult trek and u will need an experienced guide to take u across. I hope the experts like Avid Trekker, himadventures, Sadanand Kamath, rajkumar, VSK Sharma, AndreasW, Almoraboy, uttam, among others, can help u better. Regarding Kinnaur, I think it's not unviable in Aug, but again I wus defer to the experts. There is a lot of info though in this and the HP forum about Kinnaur, so I wud suggest you browse them for a bit.

Feb 17th, 2008, 05:15	#6
Tcube Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 12	A warm thanks to Dilliwala. If I want some info from the experts what's the best way to do so? As I am new to you all, I am not quite sure how and who to approach..

Feb 17th, 2008, 16:08	#7
Dilliwala Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dilli Posts: 2,742	Normally u cud have sent them a PM (private msg), but right now your post-count is too low to have access to that feature. I guess u'll just have to wait till one of them drops by! In any case the thread title has been changed to better reflect the topic, so with any luck it shud bring in more responses.

Feb 20th, 2008, 05:09	#9
Tcube Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 12	Many thanks to Avid Trekker. I am sure that your advice is very appropriate considering that we are new to the field - but if we are really keen and try to gear ourselves physically in the coming few months, and with helps of porters/ guides could we not do it as Pijush did last year? Any specialist tips please?

Feb 24th, 2008, 07:06	#12
Tcube Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 12	Looking at the description of Kinnaur Kailash parikrama, I have developed the feeling that descent from charang La to chitkul is the toughest job. I have come across few stories that we could pitch tent somewhere on the way down- in other words can break the descent in 2 days. this was also mentioned in Pijush's itinerary prior to his trek but in reality he did not do that - I would really like your suggestions if this is at all a viable option? And regarding contacts of guides/porters where and whom to contact please?

Feb 29th, 2008, 05:23	#14
Tcube Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK Posts: 12	Back, but delayed. Many thanks to Sharma sahab, and considering the expert opinions, we have decided certainly against amrit ganga route, but are still highly motivated re the Kinnaur kailash parikrama. Once again I feel it will be important to know if there is any possiblity of staying somewhere overnight (camping site/etc) on the way down so that the descent from Charang La to Chitkul can be slightly less hectic. also we would highly appreciate any suggestions re porters/guides etc and if we could know when is Janmashtami in that region for 2008 please.

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