Off to Roopkund end of October

Almoraboy

onetrek,
frankly speaking, no no does not apply to any routes, if you have the will to do it. my friend had done the darma trek in mid october and it was pretty easy for him. remember, if the weather has to go bad, it can go bad in september also or in august also. if it goes bad, just respect nature and turn back. if it is good, enjoy to the fullest. generally speaking, october is supposed to be one of the seasons with some really clear weather...but with global warming, who knows?

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Trek blog over here

arjunm

Last year, 4 friends of mine went for the Roopkund trek (after reading the blog!). It was in the first week of October. They could go no further than Kalu Vinayak. Mid October could be too dicey for trekking in Roopkund. Like Avid trekker says, mid/end September is best.

I know leave is a problem for you. Plan things in such a way that you are completing the trek in the first week of October and not starting the trek. That way you can be reasonably safe.

The same holds true for the Goecha trek. Keep in mind most treks in the 4500 mts range can get tricky with sudden change in weather. Even 6 inches of snow can be difficult to negotiate.

I remember, I was on the Goecha trail in Mid May and for unknown reason we had snowfall while we were camped at Samiti lake. While we did complete the trek, it had become very icy trekking in those conditions.

Arjun

onetrek

First things first which ofcourse applies to all those who have replied and shown concern and really helped Thank you, I am OVERJOYED at the amount of passion we share to see and feel things that are naturally beautiful, bountiful, sacred and really delicate. Thank you all again.

Ok the plan is this. We thought mid-October would have been a beautiful time to be in Uttarachal and also to have an up, close and personal interaction with the mighty peaks. All we have been imagining are clear blue skies, mighty rock faces, endless meadows ( I have tears in my eyes already) and you know all the rest of it.

So maybe we step further back in time to 20th sept, this sounds good no. Else a kindly VAIBHAV KAUL has suggested the following very tempting alternative from which I wish for whoever can to vote one (the requirements are still the same We wish it to be cold and snowed in and lush all the all the way till we get there).

Garhwal:

a. Triyuginarayan-Maggu Chatti-Kinkhola Khal (read my thread, the Trans-garhwal Hike)
b. Chopta-Tunganath-Chandrasila Peak, Deoria Tal-Barniyakund/Chopta
c. Sagar-Panar-Rudranath
d. Raithal-Dayara Bugyal and around
e. Auli-Gorson and around
f. Thatyur-Nagtibba-Surkanda Devi
g. Dodital and around

Kumaon:

a. Pindari Glacier, or just Dhakuri
b. Birthi-Munsiyari on a route parallel to the road, the ponds and ridges near Munsiyari and on the Munsiyari-Martoli-Milam trail
c. Lohaghat-Devidhura-Dhanachuli Bend-Bhatalia-Nathuakhan-Sitla-Almora-Binsar-Bageshwar-Loharkhet-Dhakuri on foot, which is very long, but always a great experience
d. Askot-Madkot-Munsiyari
e. around Gangolighat

Almoraboy

Chopta -> very very easy. I did Chopta-tungnath-chandrashila-back to chopta-rush to Saari-deoriya tal-back to sari-night in augustmuni in one day.

pics here: http://almoraboy.blogspot.com/2006/0...himalayas.html

dodital - even i wanna go there.

Dhakuri - lots of fun. did it in winter. snowed on the day i was trekking up. mazaa aa gaya. really awesome views after snowfall. if you go here, do not miss the chiltha mai temple. mindblowing.

pics here: http://almoraboy.blogspot.com/2008/0...i-pindari.html

askot - beautiful area. contact rajkumar on this forum via a PM. he can tell you more about this place.

munsyari-martoli-milam -> this is a tough one. it is very long. you will have to walk for at elast 130 kms. so think twice. arrangements can be made easily. i know the guides in munsyari for the same.

pics here: http://almoraboy.blogspot.com/2007/0...home-page.html

overall, if you are not going to roopkund, pindari seems a good option. btw, roopkund and pindari are pretty close.

VAIBHAV KAUL

One of the easy treks I suggested was:
Birthi-Munsiyari on a route parallel to the road, the ponds and ridges near Munsiyari and on the Munsiyari-Martoli-Milam trail

Here, I did not intend to make you go all the way to Martoli.
I only wanted to tell you that there are many high ridges near Munsiyari on the Munsiyari-Milam and Munsiyari-Birthi trails, which can be reached easily, eg. the ridge directly above Darkot, the peak NW of Rattapani and the pond near Rattapani. If one spends some time trying to explore the area, many ponds/lakes and meadows can be found on or close to these ridges. I don't know what their names are. I just chased the sheep on the slopes there and found some lovely spots.

Please do understand that the Munsiyari-Martoli-Milam Village/Glacier, Milam-Ralam and Munsiyari-Ralam-Sunderdhunga Treks are not at all easy.

VAIBHAV KAUL

I feel Chopta-Tunganath-Chandrashila is one of the easiest treks in Uttarakhand. Chandrashila Peak (the best place for a direct heart-to-heart conversation with Chaukhamba) is perhaps the most accessible part of the Greater Himalaya in Uttarakhand. There is too much info on this trek everywhere.

Details:
Chopta-Tunganath (uphill): 2 - 2.5 hrs
Tunganath-Chandrashila (uphill): 3.5 - 4.5 hrs
Chandrashila-Tunganth-Chopta (downhill): 2 - 3 hrs
There is also a beautiful 10 - 10.5 hr trek from Deoriya Tal to Chopta/Tunganath over high ridges and through the Akash Kamini River Valley.


You could also do Sagar-Panar-Rudranath (I can't forget the sight of Bandarpoonchh from there!), which is longer and tougher than Tunganath-Chandrashila.

Details:
Sagar (5 km by road from Gopeshwar) - Panar: 8 - 9 hrs
Panar-Rudranath-Panar: 7 - 8 hrs
Panar-Sagar (downhill): 4 hrs

You could also take the Ansuiya Devi - Nayla route to Rudranath.
After reaching Rudranath, if you continue to climb till you reach the top of the mountain in the West (the ridge above the temple), you will reach a place that will give you a 220 degree view of the snow clad peaks in the WSW, W, NW, N, NE and E.

If you have time, do both treks.

Accommodation:

Ukhimath - GMVN
Dogalbitta (between U'math and Chopta)- PWD
Tunganath - local lodges
Gopeshwar - GMVN
Chopta - No rest house any more

Both treks are ideal for you.

Suggestion: I always carry my own tent, because camping on the meadows of Chopta, Kharak, Tunganath, Dumak, Panar and on the ridge between Deoriya Tal and Tunganath (overlooking the Akash Kamini Valley) is great fun.

Stay in that area and see all you can.

But I will still be dissatisfied. Because I want you to go to Triyuginarayan, Kinkhola and Panwali. I hope you will go there some day.

When you have more time, walk on the Kushkalyani Ridge.

Next year, I will trek from Bhaguabasa to Dwali. I must tell you about it when I come back. Perhaps it is prettier than Kushkalyani.

VAIBHAV KAUL

Almoraboy,

Is there a direct route from Chandrashila to the base of Chaukhamba III?

Please tell me if you know.

Thank You.

ashutosh69

Boss
I have tried trekking 3 different routes - ones touching 4400, 4700 and the other 4800 mtrs in late October and Early November.

They have been great learning experiences - learnings about the power of the Grand Mountains and the elements of Mother Nature.

Key learning is
be ready for the cold and the snow, mentally, equipment wise and gearwise. Rest everything will be fine.

If u have time...you can browse thru the following to get a feel

http://snowscapes.blogspot.com/2008/...r-trek-to.html
http://snowscapes.blogspot.com/2007/...raversing.html

ashutosh69

I would vote for Chandrashila, Pindari and Dayara Bugyal (extended to Chhaya Gidara Valley)

onetrek

Hi All

I am back to get on you guys nerves.

Went to Avi to get pricing for all the stuff we might need. Mr. Avinash had some very nice things to say about Avid Trekker. Seems you were there Friday last week. Would have been nice to meet you.

Much thank you to all of you for the help you have been. We have finally decided to continue with Roopkund. It doesn't matter how far we make, but we are going to enjoy every moment we can till however far we get, maybe we just might get far enough to offer our prayers to the long gone ones.

Any further advise most welcome

Regards
onetrek

SSG

AT the Mumbai meetup on July 4, we saw the photos which Ks_bluechip and Mr.Kamath took on their trek to Rupkund - really spectacular - they didn't make it to Rupkund but had a wonderful trek nevertheless.

Dilliwala

Don't waste your time going to Dehradun. The railheads for Roopkund are Haridwar or Kathgodam.

Unless you're flying, that's different. But then the airport is between Dehradun and Rishikesh, so half the distance covered already.

ks_bluechip

I think the Roopkund trek was pretty awesome. I would advise: Do not be too concerned about reaching Roopkund Lake or Junar-Galli ... Wan, Forests Trek beyond-Wan, Bedni-Bugyal, Himalayan views from Bedni Bugyal, Ali-Bugyal and Kalu-Vinay are reasons enough to do this trek.

Hope you are reading Sadanand Kamath's Trip Report and Posts in the other Roopkund Thread here: Roopkund in detail and explained

PS: Of course, if you do reach Junar-Gali, on a cloudless day, you will see the wonderfully awesome view of Trisul as in this Virtual Picture:

http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...hp?photo=22037

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ks_bluechip [My Travel Blog] [My Flickr Photo Sets]

onetrek

Yes Dilliwala, we decided to fly simply to get some more time on hand, but we do intend to start the trek the following day of our arrival.

Where would you suggest we should head from the airport, the earlier plan was to spend the night at Rishikesh head to Loharjung early next morning, or maybe we could directly head for Loharjung once we get to jolly grant. We'll be landing at around 6 in the eve. What do u suggest

Thanks

onetrek

Hello Sir

Very nice of you to write in. Have been through all your treks and photos, I am very impressed. Yes I am reading Sadanand Kamath's posts and it has been of immense help.

Currently we both are getting ourselves as ready as possible physically. WE ARE FAT AND SPOILT. Please do keep us posted with any more info you come across

Thanks you