Roopkund in detail and explained

arjunm

Hi

I am back after a break. A group of us are planning to do the Roopkund trek in July end/first week August. A few questions to those who have been there:

1. Can I pick up equipment from Lohajung (tents, sleeping bags, jackets)? Anyone you know who can help over there?

2. Is July end/August a good time to go, or will I be soaking myself in rain all the time?

3. Are there mules/horses on the track and can they be hired to carry load? cost?

Any additional tips would be welcome.

Arjun

Almoraboy

tents, sleeping bags n sweaters can be obtained from lohajung and waan as well.
u might get soaking wet. but we went with raincoats. it rained all afternoon, but hey, we enjoyed it.
i guess u can get horses till the bugyals. i have seen the horsemen carry their horses o the bugyals to feed on the lush green grass over there.

__________________
Trek blog over here

crimsonharsh

Yes, you do get horse/mule till Bedni Bugyal, further from there only porters.

As for rain, I think you better be prepared for most probably you will encounter.

Route beyond Bedni Bugyal is quite exposed and at times experiences very strong winds, so better plan for good tents (dome should be ideal)

VSK Sharma

Can you not plan your trek before or after the rains?

arjunm

Can anyone give me any phone numbers of local guides and porters for this trek?

2. do we get Kerosene in Wan?

3. Is it better to trek from Lohajung with a stay at Didana, or direct to Bedni Bugyal from Wan?

Arjun

Almoraboy

for phone numbers/contact details, pls check here:
http://almoraboy.blogspot.com/2006/0...formation.html

u can also try to ring up the gmvn ppl in gopeshwar/chamoli.

u can get kerosene in wan. (u can also get tents over there on rent).

there r jeeps from lohajung to wan. the frequency is not that great, but if u get up early in the morning, u might just be able to catch it. from wan, there is a steep 12-13 kms trek to the bugyals. so u can go to the bugyals directly from wan. just be prepared for a steep route.

Trishul

1.July aug is the rainy season so if you have then you make yours programme after mid august .that is the best time for flowering.
2.yes some equipment you can found equipment from Mundoli but if you want good equipment then you can take from almora.
3.you can fount poters & poney from mundoli/loherjang to Bhaguapass and back to mundoli or you can trek to Kauripass but you you yours stuff from almora .

arjunm

Thanks for the information, everyone.

I am bit confused about the weather. My initial plans about July was based on the fact that Roopkund would be impossible to venture in June because of the snow. Is that true?

I would like to know what is the earliest I can get to Roopkund and back without any fancy equipment? I'd like to trek and not get into any ice axe business.

Can I do Roopkund in June? Or May? Any clear information on this would really help.

Arjun

Trishul

1. if you have time then you make yours programme in Last week of Aug-sept 1st week because in the july you can see the real time veiw all time you have heavy rain,some time roads are broken due to land slide.
2. we can took pone/horse from lohergang.
3. when you make programme then i give you pony man or guide ref
4.you take all trekking equipment on hire from almora because in mundoli equipments are not in good condition

arjunm

Thanks Trishul for the information. I'll get in touch with you when I finalise the dates.

Meanwhile, I am still not clear whether Roopkund is trekable in May and June. Could anyone share their experience?

Arjun

crimsonharsh

Hi Arjunm,

I think in June it should be very much doable. I was there in May 1st week last year and was not able to make it beyond Kalu Binayak. Going further required all the gear which we did not have.

I had a real long conversation with local's there and as per them mostly (90%) by may last week the route opens up, so June 2nd week should be perfect. There is 1 more thing, if you hit there earlier than say may last week you might have difficulty finding drinking water beyond Bedni Bugyal for Bhugu Bhasa might still be under snow. There is water available between Bedni and Bhugu (@patthar nachoni) but you need to go down all the way to the bottom of a gorge. On this route water is not that readily available if you hit early so plan accordingly.

If you going via wan then I would suggest instead of staying at wan go further to Neel Ganga. It has a beautiful jungle camp site next to river. Plus it also cut's on your effort next day to Bedni Bugyal.

Moreover beyond Bedni bugyal weather can be very deceptive and can change in matter of minutes. We had a real eventful night at Pathar Nachoni, thats why I suggested abt tents.

arjunm

Dear Crimsonharsh

Thanks so much for the info. Now I am getting a better idea. I have always felt June wouldn't be a bad time to go but I was dettered by a few trekkers who said June was out of the question (there would be too much snow). I'll keep Mid June as my trekking plans.

About your watering holes and other tips, these are invaluble. In fact I would like to know what happened to you at Pathar Nachoni. Plus any more practical tips like what you have given would be of immense help.

I am planning on a fully tented trek with porters and cooks. We are likely to be 10 of us. Where did you pick up your gear? Any help on that?


Arjun

Outdoor Adventure

Did this trek in May 2002, Could go up to Bhaguabasa. Lot's of snow, not possible till Roop Kund. here are my suugestions.

1. Can I pick up equipment from Lohajung (tents, sleeping bags, jackets)? Anyone you know who can help over there?

No equipments are available in Lohajung Pass. It's small village with few small shops, just some essentials (Battery/ Soap/ Basic foods) available there. Try to get all the things for trek from/ before Mundoli.

For equipments, try to pick them from Delhi (IMF or other) or Rishikesh.


2. Is July end/August a good time to go, or will I be soaking myself in rain all the time?

May is the good time before Monsoon. There may be snoow above Bhaguabasa. Only experienced guide can take you till Roopkund if possible.


3. Are there mules/horses on the track and can they be hired to carry load? cost?

Yes from Mundoli/ LOhajung Pass/ Wan.

Q. Can anyone give me any phone numbers of local guides and porters for this trek?

Give me some time, I will get it for you.

2. do we get Kerosene in Wan?

May or may not. Better take it from Mundoli.

3. Is it better to trek from Lohajung with a stay at Didana, or direct to Bedni Bugyal from Wan?

Depends on you. If you want to come back to Lohajung, Take a circle route either way.

Arjun


Happy outdoor,
Outdoor adventure

arjunm

Thanks Outdoor Adventure

Do you know where you get good equipment on rent in Delhi? I went to a couple of places in Delhi and really did not like them. There seem to be only tattered sleeping bags and tents.

Anyone, are the Bugyals green in June or brown?

Arjun

crimsonharsh

Hi Arjun,

Ya any time after June 10 should be fine though you are always at the mercy of weather in Himalayas.
As for gears our guide had arranged them from NIM Uttarkashi. He carried all the gears and we met up at Loharjung GMVN. I think Almoraboy should be able to give you more accurate information on gear condition available in Loharjung/Wan. Both the places are very small and I have no clue if gears are available on rent there.
Bytheway how long and what route are you planning ??? are you planning to cross over Joragali pass and goto Sutol or are you planning to return back from roopkund.

Harsh