Snow trek : Har - Ki - Dun in December

ks_bluechip

Amit ....

I really can't comment on snow & winter trek conditions. I have no experience (thankfully) of treks in December. (The most Icy/Snowy trail condition that I have ever faced was on the Kanchenjunga Trek, near Dzongrila, in Early Nov-2004 ... I survived that, and since then have learnt to call Oct-31st, as end of trekking season for myself [at 59]).

The HKD trail (in July) presented no difficulties, even in rainy conditions. The trail was also not very steep or dangerous anywhere, except for 2-3 specific spots, where due to lanslides one had to walk thru a bit of rubble, temp-bridges and tree logs. If I try to imagine the same trail in snowy situation for adult trekkers, Under Age-40, it should be fairly doable ... and perhaps even thrilling ...... but HKD trail will not provide any "mountaineeing" kind of thrills.

- KS

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Dilliwala

Check-posts: One at Naitwar, one at Sankri. They usually want to collect the entry fees at Naitwar, but u are allowed to pay at Sankri also, if u find that more convenient.

Battery: Hmm, never used one of those, but your sleeping bag is not a bad idea! Other than that, a water-tight container/plastic.

amitsankrani

Thanks guys.

I have a air tight & water proof bag imported for storing things. Will place the bttery and camera inside it.

Which is the last point where electricity can be found, to charge all camera batteries, mobiles and torches

chits007

Sankri...taluka has some solar powered check with the dhaba in GMVN compound..
Seema nothing..

Dilliwala

Effectively Dehradun, since u're not going to stop on the way to charge your stuff. Naitwar has electricity though (when there's no power-cut!!).
And if u stay at GMVN Sankri, they turn on a kerosene genny for about 2 hours every evening which is strong enuff to provide normal lighting. Can't remember if the rooms had plug-sockets though. Maybe ksb knows. There is no electricity anywhere else on the route, as he confirmed in July.

BUT, a very useful gadget to have is a car-mobile-charger which plugs into the lighter socket. I keep one in my car all the time. For Nokia phones u can get a 'local' one for Rs. 150, or a Nokia original for Rs. 450 ('06 prices). My experience is the cheap one is no different than the Nokia, altho it won't fully charge the battery. But that's not such a problem.
I suppose Nokia won't be the only phone in your group, so there is also a multi-charger avbl for around Rs. 550 in Delhi. Shud be avbl in DD also, though it might be better to buy it in Mumbai already, if u decide to get one.

In any case, the last place u're likely to find a mobile tower (BSNL only) is Mori, at best. It's a good idea to stop here for a short while to get all fone calls done, at least there's STD if the mobiles don't work.

ks_bluechip

1) In July-07 there was no working Phone Booth or Electricity anywhere in Netwar and beyond. I did'nt know this and landed up in Sankri and could'nt call home .... I had to send a message thru a jeep-driver, to call my home from Mori.

2) I don't remember paying any Park Entry-fee anywhere ... maybe i missed the Fee-counter on the way? .... and did the trek illegally

3) Also (as mentioned in my blog) the 4WD trail from Sankri to Taluka ends in a huge landslide just 2 Kms from Sankri. Even if that is restored now ... the walk thru the wonderful forests between Sankri-Taluka was the 2nd best part of that whole trip (Best was - HKD loaction & Swargarohini views)

4) When I returned from the trek to Sankri, there was another (new) landslide about 2 kms from Sankri towards Netwar ... I had to cross that one on foot too. Tikkam decided (beyond call of duty) that he will help me cross that landslide too and see me safe on a jeep on the Netwar side of that landslide. I do expect that landslide to have been repaired by now?

- KS

Dilliwala

1. Hmm, VERY FREQUENT power cuts at Naitwar, in that case.

2. If u were in a bus or jeep-taxi, they wudn't bother to check at Naitwar, espesh since the post at Sankri exists. Certainly the guards at Sankri were negligent and cost the state exchequer Rs. 30-40 per day of your trek. U shud complain!

3. Manishi was there in Sep and reports earlier in this thread that it's still not fixed. Since it's a Janglat road, they won't be fixing it in a hurry either.

4. It seems to be fixed, going by reports. Makes sense too, as it's under PWD, not Forest Dept. as the above one.

Dilliwala

amit,
In case u haven't read it, the thread below from 2005 has some useful info, including names/contacts of more guides.

http://www.indiamike.com/india/trekk...anyone-t12127/

amitsankrani

KSB, Dilliwala and Chits..

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful info....

amitsankrani

Friends...

Who is the best contactable person at HKD Trekking and Mountaineering Association??

I have got names and numbers of Chandan Singh Rana and Chain Singh Rawat. Who is the most senior person and approachable between the two of them?? I tried calling both of them today but unavailable. Have left my mobile number with their colleague and STD booth at Mori.

amitsankrani

Guys.

Im trying my luck to contact the concerned at Har Ki Doon Trekking Association . Can you pls let me whether it is Chandan Singh Rana or Chain Singh Rawat to be in contact with??

Dilliwala

Hi Amit,

1. When I was at Sankri in '05, someone gave me a card for 'Himalayan Trekkers Trekking and Mountaineering Assn.'. While the postal address is for Sankri, a phone contact has been given for Balbeer Singh Rawat at Herbertpur. Cud be he's some kind of coordinator. U cud try calling him at 01360-258123.
I still recommend strongly that u write to Tikam Singh at the address I gave. Worst case u'll get no answer. But if u don't get anyone else, and Tikam writes back, then at least u have something to fall back on.

2. I am in Muss and checked for Qualis rates ex DD today. It will work out to similar as what Khazan Singh is charging. The driver will stay at Sankri till your return. But if things work out with Khazan price-wise and also guide/porter-wise then maybe u shud go with him.

Let me know if u need any more info. I'm on my way to Badrinath so may not be able to answer for a few days.

amitsankrani

I spoke to the driver, Khazan Singh and have finalised the rate of Rs. 3,000 one way. We have 8 members in the group so the per pax cost comes to Rs. 375 per pax which is fair enough. Khazan Singh will bring his Mahindra jeep on 25th night at Dehradun station and pick us up to drop at a neaby hotel for night stay. 26th Dec morning we will drive to Sankri as the Sankri forest gates open after 7.00am. On return from trek 2nd Jan he will pick us up from Sakri and drive to Chakrata and drop us at Dehradun station. I hope this plan is fair enough.

I have also written a letter to Tikkam Singh for porter arrangements. Ideally we would require 5 porters for 8 members in our group who can carry 15 kgs atleast. I also found out that the rates in Dec will be Rs. 250 per porter per day and Rs. 300 per guide per day. These rates include their food charges also.

chits007

Great going..looks good..for chandan rana and all talk to Khajan Singh he will give you some number..chain singh rawat now has a setup in dehradoon/mussorie..

chakrata ..try to spend a day at hotel snow view..excellent play to rest after the trek...and u can go upto deowan also..u will get all info from my blog...

while driving to chakrata from Sankri..make sure you call snow view
on that day somehwre from PCO for booking of a room and yes if you want to have special food like some chicken/fish/mutton... tell them they will prepare for you ..we missed that chance..this has to be done before 5 PM that day..

on the way to chakrata from Sankri ..you will find Asia largest Deodar tree..pay a visit..also at Kanasar ...

amitsankrani

Hello Folks.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year !!.

Its been a great time and as I look back to capture moments of success while completing the Har Ki Doon trek during winter.
It was an awesome experience. Almost 3 feet of snow with low visibility and clouds surrounding the HKD base to the peaks. Swargarohini and Bandarpunch peak were clearly visible from distance but as we approached near the summit the visibility started getting worse and mild snowfall on the way. My two 2GB cards are full. Almost 500+ pics and so will take some time to compress and upload. Will post the link shortly.