RoopKund in May

crimsonharsh

Hi Everybody,

We a group of 5 ppl are planning to do RoopKund Trek this May (1st-2nd Week). Most of the ppl have a some experience in High Altitude trek (done 4800m or so). Though everything is planned out but we wanted some more information

1. What kind of weather can we expect there in MAY 1st-2nd week ?
2. How much Snow ?//
3. min. Temp. day/night ?/
4. any other information that can be useful is welcome....

Thanks in advance...
CrimsonHarsh

Chintuthewhizkid

Have mailed you my travelogue of the trek we did to Roopkund in August 2003. Hope that will give you a few pointers.

Almoraboy

mail it to me too....

hope to catch you again on some remote path again...

__________________
Trek blog over here

dooms

I too am thinking of this trek for this summer. Can you share it Chintuthewhizkid?

jyotipg

1st week of May looks a bit early for this trek..
but again it depends on the amount of snowfall in that area this season.

__________________
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/himalaya_trekkers/

crimsonharsh

Hey Guys thanks...
Chintu thanks for ur travelog....I will definately go through it...
and Joyti thanks for ur reply too but I was expecting you would have much more information to share (experience)...
Is there anyone who has done this trek in April/May/June ???/
for I still am looking for more concrete information...

Thanks in advance
CrimsonHarsh

jyotirmoy

Yeah jyotipg is right 1st. week of May may be too early. I had posted some info about the route in my post Sacred heights of Uttaranchal - Roopkund.

jyotipg

Crimson,

Havent been there myself though its on my list since a long long time.. So cant give u much info..

Sapta_roy of the yahoogroup was there last year. may be he can give u first hand info..

Someone had sent me a travelogue sometime back.. Or perhaps I got it from some website.. dont remember when and which.. But its there in my travel folder.

I am pasting it here for you....

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Gwaldam(1,829 m) - Debal (1,218m, 12 km)- Mundoli (2,100 m, 8 km) - Wan (2,400 m, 8km) - Bedini (3,354 m, 10 km)- Bhagwabasa (4,000 m, 9 km) - Roopkund (5, 029 m, 5 km) - Jyuragoti (5,000 m, 2 km) - Shila Samudra (3,658 m, 8 km) - Homkund (4,000 m, 5 km) - Sutole (9km ) - Ghat (26 km) - Nandprayag (19 km). This trek to the mysterious Roopkund, is memorable. Is was at Roopkund lake that a large number of human bones were found and anthropologists are still working on its significance. Once visited by Lord Curzon, then viceroy of India, the route was named Curzon Road after him. There is a forest rest house, tourist bungalow and dharamshalas at Debal, and tourist bungalows at Mundoli and Wan, which is also the last village on the route. Bedini, with its beautiful meadows, has a forest rest house and snow huts and a cave where one can take shelter. Beyond that, tents required for purposes of camping. Ghat is a roadhead, with a PWD inspection house, and buses are available from here to Nandprayag.

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Day1 Mussoori 2005 7:00 Ghat 1331 17:00 243 Bus
Day2 Ghat 1331 8:00 Sithail 2192 13:00 15 Trek Gradual uphill
Day3 Sithail 2192 8:30 Kannol 2800 12:30 15 Trek Gradual uphill
Day4 Kannol 2800 9:30 Wan 2439 11:30 10 Trek Gradual walk
Day5 Wan 2439 8:00 Bedni 3354 12:00 10 Bus Steep uphill
* Bedni 3354 Roopkund 5029 12 Trek V. Steep climb
* Roopkund 5029 3354 12 Trek V. Steep climb
Day6 Bednial 3354 11:00 Wan 2439 13:30 10 Trek Steep downhill
Day7 Wan 2439 9:00 Mandoli 2134 13:00 16 Trek Gradual uphill
Mandoli 2134 15:30 Kausani 1700 20:30 90 Bus
Day8 Kausani 1700 8:30 Mussoori 2005 24:00 Bus

Day Wise Break Up
Day From To Food Night Halt
Day1 Mussoorie Ghat Roadside Dhaba PWD Guest House, 3 rooms
Carried packed breakfast and lunch from the academy. The institute had hired the bus for the duration of the trek. On the way to Dhanaulti had the awesome view of the snow clad Chaukhamba (7138m) due north. Had breakfast at Dhanaulti at 8:00. Reached Tehri a couple of hours later. The mighty Bhagirathi had been tamed here by a remarkable piece of engineering. The dam wall, around 270m high was coming up here, the river had been diverted through two tunnels and after a subterranean journey of 2 km it rejoined its course. Had lunch at Srinagar at 1:00 pm. After Srinagar the tinge of autumn in the tree cover could be seen in the orange and red hues.
Day From To Food Night Halt
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Day2 Ghat Sithail Shop Forest Rest House, 2 rooms, running water
The altitudinal zonation of flora was starkly visible here. Chir [Pinus roxburghii] and Oak [Quercus incana] giving way to Deodar [Cedrus deodara] and Blue Pine [Pinus wallichina] as we reached Sithail. Saw a flock of Scarlet Minivets [Pericrocotus flammeus] along the way, flitting from branch to branch of a Pine tree. The glistening black and red of the male contrasting brilliantly with the black and olive yellow of the female. Also saw a pair of Yellow Billed Blue Magpie [Cissa flavirostris] flying awkwardly amidst the undergrowth. At Sithail we met a Pune based trekking group, returning from Roopkund, they had bad news for us. There had been heavy snow beyond Bedni Bugyal, and we would be extremely lucky to make it to Roopkund. Also all the high altitude alpine flowers, including the divine Brahmakamal [Saussurea obvallata] had wilted in the snow.
Day From To Food Night Halt
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Day3 Sithail Kannol Cooked ourselves Forest Rest House, 2 rooms
Weather was cold and breezy, it started drizzling towards the latter half of the trek. One peculiarity of the climate in the Himalayas is that during night time, as the temperature falls, the clouds condense and descend into the valley. The skies become clear, and stars come out, raising false expectations of a clear day ahead. However just after daybreak, clouds start forming again, and it becomes overcast within no time. Hence early mornings are the best time for trekking and photography since it invaribly rains in the afternoons. One subgroup got strayed inspite of having a local guide along with them and reached two hours late. It is advisable to mark ones direction with arrows on all forks, as an indicator to the subgroups following. The Forest Rest House is located three km from the village. At the Forest Rest House there was the Himalayan Whistling Thrush [Myiophonus caeruleus] and the Pied Wagtail [Motacilla alba] to greet us. The harvesting operations in the village were in full swing. The crops being Ramdana, Marua, potato and tobacco. Due to the low level of solar radiation each of these crops takes around six months to mature.
Day From To Food Night Halt
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Day4 Kannol Wan Cooked ourselves, Forest Rest House, 2 rooms, running
water
Around one hour from Kannol, after the uphill climb, one comes across a beautiful Bugyal [meadow]. The view of Trishul [7120m] and Nanda Ghunti [6309m] piercing the heavens is absolutely breathtaking from here. We missed this sight because of the clouds. The wind was very chilly, and all of us pulled out our woollens and cold creams. Along the trek there were stands of Oak [Quercus incana] almost leafless and sporting a colony of rusty coloured epiphytic ferns. The Burhans [Rhododendron sp.] trees which had completed their flowering for the season, soon took over. The Wan Forest Rest House is located amidst centuries old giant Cypress [Cupressus torulosa] and Spruce [Picea smithiana] trees. A beautiful kitchen garden of multi-coloured Dahlias was maintained around the compound. We took our first bath in days in the nearby stream, and were soon greeted by a hailstorm and heavy drizzle. The chances of our reaching Roopkund, dimmed further, but we were still hoping for the best. All of us jettisoned our sundry items, in preparation of the back-breaking trek to Bedni Bugyal. The Wan village is located one km downhill from the Forest Rest House.
Day From To Food Night Halt
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Day5 Wan Bedni Bugyal Cooked ourselves 2 rooms, take key from forest
guard at Wan Forest Rest House
Very tiring and stiff climb. The trail was swampy and water-logged. Passed through forests of Spruce [Picea smithiana] and Rhododendron. The leaf litter of these trees was heavy forming a thick humus layer on the ground. We had sent a scout team to check the condition of the trail and accommodation at Bedni. We had a breath-taking view of Trishul after an hours trek. As we reached the end of the treeline, the Rhododendron showed stunted growth with gnarled and twisted limbs to minimise exposure. Once we crossed the treeline at 11:00, it was the mosses and lichens that took over. Crustose lichens formed green patches on the marble rocks. Some lichens secrete acids, to dissolve the upper crust of the rocks, accentuating secondary succession of grasses and herbs like - Anaphalis, Leontopodium and Gaultheria. The sporophytes of the moss was beautifully visible. The blast of chilly breeze which hit us directly, above the tree line, succeeded in blowing a couple of caps down the ridge. As we rounded the last bend a celestial sight met out eyes. The huge mountain peaks, barely a couple of kms away were fully laden with snow. In the afternoon light, the snow was radiating with a dazzling glow. It appeared as if the whole mountain range had been covered with a thin Silver foil. We managed to reach the rugged accommodation of Bedni using the last ounce of our energy. On reaching Bedni we found out to our dismay that the chances of our making it to Roopkund were as good as nil. Two groups, one from Australia and one from Delhi, returning after an unsuccessful attempt gave us the bad news that the route to Roopkund was under three feet of snow and it was still snowing out there. After a lunch of steaming Khichadi we made our way up the snow clad peak. It was the first experience with snow for most of us. Surprisingly the snow was crystalline and not at all cold. The subgroup which had started off earlier, braved the snow and chilly gusts of wind managed to reach up to BokaVasa, which is at an altitude of 4000m. With the ominous darkness of an impending snow-storm spreading fast, and the wind screaming like a possessed demon, threatening to blow us off the ridge into the snow chute below, we thought it prudent to return back to Bedni. There was a snowfall in the evening followed by a freezing night, with sub-zero conditions prevailing outside our sleeping bags. There was a saint [Raman Giri] staying in the room alongside ours. Incidentally he was a Mech. Engg. from IIT Kanpur, 72 batch. Had a nice enlightening discussion with him. Inspite of the harsh climate prevailing everyone was in high spirits and oblivious of the bleak conditions prevailing outside.
Day From To Food Night Halt
* Bedni Bugyal Roopkund Carry packed lunch Impossible
* Roopkund Bedni Bugyal Cook yourself 2 rooms
Woke up at 7:30, with great willpower dragged ourselves outside the sleeping bag. It was snowing outside. We were wearing three pairs of lower garments and five upper garments, with a monkey cap and muffler completing the attire. Chilly gusts of wind and the swirling flakes of snow ensured that we had to abort our trek before the final destination. Just twelve km away, so near yet so far. The early morning sunrise with Trishul and Nanda Ghunti in the background was also lost. We decided to abondon the attempt to go further and turned back. After 4000m oxygen become scarce. The last leg of this trek, from Bhoga Vasa onwards is a very steep climb up a rock face, but luckily steps have been cut. The problem is that if it snows, these steps get obliterated and it is suicidal to attempt to go further. Carry packed lunch, reach Roopkund by early afternoon, and try to get back by early evening. Since this path is snow-covered, snow boots, with a good grip are essential. To prevent exposure from the blasts of chilly air, a fur jacket is absloutely essential. Since in the month of October, the probability of snow at Roopkund is around 60% to attempt this trek [as we did] without these essentialities will more often than not lead to an abortion midway.
Day From To Food Night Halt
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Day6 Bedni Bugyal Wan Cooked ourselves Forest Rest House, 2 rooms,
We packed our bags reluctantly, had Maggi and headed down. The snow flakes lodged in our woollens, caused numbness as it melted due to the body heat. We stumbled and slithered down the slippery trail. The Phyllitic clay caused water logging, and there was more than ankle deep slush at places. Came across a pair of Plumbeous Redstarts [Rhyacornis fuliginosus] fishing in the river. Though all of us returned with that feeling of a mission unaccomplished, we knew that one day we would be back, and if lady nature was condescending enough to lift her mysterious veil, we would get a glimpse of its celestial beauty.
Day From To Food Night Halt
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Day7 Wan Mandoli Shop Foresh Rest House Kausani
Palatial Forest Rest House, 3 suites
The last leg of the trek to Mandoli was quite steep. On the mountain faces, due to the weathering action of running water, soil formation/deposition had taken place on the concave portions, making this macrohabitat suitable for the Pine trees which were the climax species. The convex portions of the mountain faces had just grass and no trees. The windward side of the Pine trunk served as an ideal microhabitat for the lichens, moss and epiphytic ferns. All along the trail, marble was amply available, indicating that limestone rock had undergone a high degree of metamorphosis. Came across a Brown Dipper [Cinclus pallasii] fishing in a fast flowing stream. It could remain underwater for extended periods of time and was swimming upstream effortlessly. The local children were very beautiful and shy. The standard norms of their greeting was, Namaste, mithai do and if you said, Nahin hain, back came the prompt reply, Paise do. At Mandoli Forest Rest House, our bus was waiting for us, and after a quick lunch, we decided to head towards Kausani, which is a very famous hill station. On the way right in the middle of a pristine Pine forest, the front tyre of our bus got punctured. As we disembarked, cursing our luck, we were struck by the awe-spiring view of the three peaks of Trishul [hence the name], clothed in a thick blanket of snow, piercing the heavens. To its west was the Nanda Ghunti. After a late dinner, we managed to get accommodation in the Forest Rest House, which is around two km from the town market. Kausani is famed for the breathtaking vista it affords of the whole Himalayan range. One can enjoy the whole range, [from Wast to Eest] Chaukhamba [7138m], Nanda Ghunti [6309m], Trishul [7120m], Nanda Devi[7817m], and Nanda Khat[6611m]. Our bad luck followed us here too, and we got up at 5 am only to find clouds masking the panoramic view.
Day From To Food Night Halt
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Day8 Kausani Mussoorie Roadside Dhabas Academy
After a tiring bus journey, reached the academy at midnight.
Budget
Total: Rs 650/- per head
Misc. Information
To guard against inclement weather and thus having a realistic chance of reaching Roopkund, carry snow boots and fur coats along.
We had along with us two cooks and we had hired two porters and one mule from Ghat. The porter rates are Rs 75/- per day and they can carry around 20kg/head. One has to arrange for their food though. The mule rates are Rs125/- per day and it can carry around 80kg/mule. One has to arrange for the food of the caretaker. The advantage of porters over mule is that they also help in cooking.
Keep Chlorine tablets [Aquapura] along with you, and use it diligently to guard against hill dysentery. Avil is a must incase of allergy [against woollens] and Avomin against motion sickness.
Gram [Chana] and jaggery [Gur] provide instant nourishment and should be carried in large quantities to satiate incessant hunger.

jyotirmoy

jyotipg,
Thanks its fantastic & will help many.

crimsonharsh

Thanks yet again to everybody...

But I have still not found what I am looking for....
Joyti is right in saying "it depends on the amount of snowfall in that area this season"
This is precisely my point...
Is there anybody who has information on this OR anyone who has been there in MAY
I have been Googling a bit for last several days but have still not come across a single group who did this route in MAY
"MAY is one of the best months to be there as per some Sites" then why didn't I find any group which did this route in MAY
(maybe it's because of the keywords I am using)

Anyways my Primary Concern is Shoes....
We have been in a situation earlier where we had to cut our trek short because our shoes did not hold in snow...
and getting a 4000rs shoe is not possible for everbody in my group
so thats why I want some concrete information about Snow in the region in MAY

People we need your help....

Thanks in advance
CrimsonHarsh

jyotipg

Crimson,

I have the conatct details of local a guide in that area.. he can guide u abt the snowfall conditiion and feasibilty of doing it in May..

For the time being, you can conatct Govt officials for info.:

1) Chamoli District tourism officer: (1372)-253185
2) Gwaldam- (1372)-84-744

hope that helps.

Almoraboy

thanks ofr the info, even i needed it

himadventures

jyotipg is right correct..MAY is tooo early.
Plan it in AUGUST and yes- little bit high altitude experience is required. Your equipment should be also good as you may experience high speed winds here.
Ascending of KALUA BINAYAK is all about gaining altitude in this region besides jungle climb from WAN to BEDNI.
AFTER Kalua Binayak...trail is leveled...and very easy.
Do spend a night there as most trekkers comes back to BEDNI...

jyotipg

PM me if you need the contact details of the guide..

himadventures

If jyoti is saying he is having a guide who can do ROOPKUND in MAY-I think you can trust him.

From my point of view..MAY is TOOO early for ROOP KUND