Thoughts on trekking to Nanda Devi Base Camp?

wanderingstars

We are thinking of doing this trek in late May/early June and are wondering if this is possible this early. (Due to snow?) What other adive could you give if you have done this trek? Thanks!

Trishul

Hi. This is the best time for that bhat i want to know which trek you like From Munsyari Or from Joshimath but you know mind one thing you dont reach base camp from the side of Joshimath,if you want in the botom of Nanda devi then From Munsyari is the best way

karakal

I presume you mean Nanda Devi East. I think Trisul has already made the point - you can't get to the base camp from Garhwal/Joshimath. The furthest you're allowed to go down the Rishi Ganga gorge is the Dharansi pass (and maybe till dibrugetha - not sure).
I trekked to the nanda devi east basecamp in May of 2007. I reached Martoli around the 20th of May. I wouldn't recommend going so soon, even end May, just because there still is a lot of ice once you start climbing the Lwanl Gad. The bridge at Lwanl was broken, but we managed (somehow!) to cross it. However, at Naspanpatti, which is 3/4 the way to the base camp, it became impossible because of the ice. So I would recommend June, at the earliest. Also, here are some great alternatives to the base camp in case you can't make it there because of snow/ice conditions:
- The Shalang Gad: This is the gorge running south-west of martoli. you walk on the same route to the nande devi east base camp, but instead of descending to the river and crossing it at Lwanl to continue straight, you turn left and walk down this other gorge heading south. the height gain and landscape is very similar to the base camp and you have a choice of camping at 4000m and 4400 (talla shalang). This is very close to the mountains that form the south-eastern ring of the sanctuary - nanda kot, nandbhanar, nandakhani. I believe there is a pass further on this route called dan dhura which gives access to phurkia on the pindari side. after having to turn back on the route to the base camp, i explored the shalang gad and camped at talla shalang, which really was an incredible experience.
- and then, there's the obvious choice of trekking to the paachu glacier which gives wonderful views of nanda devi.
-on the way from rilkot to martoli, you will notice a village on the opposite side of the bank. this is tola, and the route from there to ralam is supposed to be great. you go over the brijganga dhura, which might, given snow conditions, require equipment (so i hear from my guide).
the land and its people are beautiful. if you are planning on carrying your own stuff, bear in mind that you get food all along the main path to milam. this is important because then you need to pack for only the days to and from the base camp. I learned the hard way by carrying food for 12 days. typically, it will take you two days from martoli to get to the camp and one to get back. you might want to spend a day there.
and you will need permission from the DM and the ITBP at Munsyari.
anyway, its well worth it. enjoy.

wanderingstars

Thanks for the advice! We are looking at a trek that begins in Munsiary and ends in Milam. Hopefully there won't be too much snow and ice and we can make it that far.

VSK Sharma

Hi,
Well all the details have been provided especially about the food. However, this year the snow conditions may be quite different from 2007 and that needs to be taken in account. The manager of KMVN at Munsiari should be able to give the right picture of the same.
VSK

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ranjan154

Thanks for this informative link....this will help future travelers
to prepare accordingly.

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dontstop99

Hi, I am planning a trip to Joshimath beginning 31st March.
Our plan is to visit Auli and if possible do the Hemkund Sahib/VOF trek. But we are not sure if this would be possible during this time of the year. Our initial plan was to reach Nanda-Devi base camp from Joshimath. But I came to know that it’s inaccessible from Joshimath side & not possible in early April. Our other option is to go for Auli-Tapoban-Kuari Pass trek. But I am not sure if we would be able to do that in first week of April. my ques are..
1) Is it possible to go to Hemkund sahib around 2nd April.
2) If yes, Can we stay over night at Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara.
3) Will there be snow at Auli and Auli-Tapoban route at this time.
4)Is Auli-Tapoban-Kuari Pass trek possible during this time.
5) Can we travel at night by taxi in Uttarakhand.

Thanks in advance.

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Dilliwala

1 & 2. No. Hemkund and VOF open in June.

3 & 4. Auli may not have snow, Kuari cud well have. U shud search for posts about the Kuari trek, u'll get your info there. Also, I think u mean Auli-Kuari-Tapovan route, the sequence u mention makes no sense.

5. I strongly recommend against it.

Trishul

Hi,
as per yours Question Hemkund & Nandadevi base is not possible in early April but you can trek to Tapovan to Kauripass & you can found snow near Kauripass.
If you have time the you will make programme Auli-Gursuntop-Kauripass-Tapovan.In that time you cant find snow at Auli.
I think if you will try to hemkund in early March then it will be risky.

dontstop99

Thanx Trishul & Dilliwala for such a promt reply.

What I still want to confirm is whether Hemkund is at all possible in first week of April. I know it is officially closed, but still can an attemt be made. There is no point in going to VOF at this time coz flora it is famous for wont be there.

What i have gathered till now is that there two main routes to Kuari pass. One is from Gursa to Chitrakantha and Galgarh. The other from Joshimath to Tapovan and Khulara. I was thinking of taking the latter route. Taking a jeep upto Tapoban and proceeding on the trek after that or . Is there something wrong here.

And how difficult this trek would be without a guide?

Dilliwala

ankit,
Even Ghangharia, the night-halt, is over 3000 m altitude and cud well have snow on the ground in April. That said, u might be able to make it upto there, after all it is a village where people live and they don't stop their movements except in extreme circs.
Hemkund however is 4300 m - what are the chances that there'll be no snow on the way up and all around? Virtually none. It's a hard walk up anyway, now factor the snow and ice in. It will become a full-fledged technical expedition, won't it? I wud not like to comment further on the advisability of going on such a technical trek, maybe one of the experts will. Let's just say that there's a reason the pilgrimage season only starts in mid-June (note that all the dhams open in early May, and HS is much higher in altitude than them).
Now, that was the general stuff. Specifics on what the weather is like u wud best be able to find out at Govindghat. So if u are really keen I can only suggest to go there and find out. U shud be able to find a guide even, SUBJECT TO WEATHER/SNOW!, but again I emphasise that u may have to be fully prepared for a snow-trek. Better to be safe, a twisted ankle or broken leg is no fun at all.

I realise that you are coming from a long way off and probably have no chance to take leave again in summer, and therefore your keenness to do as much as possible now is not only natural but understandable - yet, nature is nature.


Auli-Gorson-Gailgarh-Kuari is correct, Joshimath-Tapovan (road)-Khulara-Kuari is correct.
U previously wrote "Is Auli-Tapoban-Kuari trek possible..". That route wud make no sense.

It may be poss without, but it may also be mandatory to take one as Kuari is in the NDBR area. I see u've already done the right thing by asking in the "Permit for Kuari" thread.
In fact nyraghu did the trek in October last and is best placed to reply. I'm sure he will reply soon, otherwise u cud send him a PM directing his attention here. U may have also seen his thread/report, link below:
Kuari Pass: request for help

dontstop99

I understand what you are trying to say here. And you are right , it wont be possible for me to visit this area gain in summer therefore I really wanted to do this HKD trek this time.

In all probability its going to be a tough task especially when one of our team mate has never trekked before . So I am going to go ahead with our backup plan of Kuari-pass trek. I just hope now, I get to see Devi in all her beauty.

I read somewhere that this permit can be obtained in Lucknow as well. And since Lucknow is my hometown I can get this quite easily there, provided they still issue it from there.
Any information about this?

Dilliwala

Definitely not, the trek permit is issued by the Forest Dept. only in Joshimath and a few starting points like Auli, Suraithota and Lata.

nyraghu

Nanda Devi is visible from Auli onwards, until Tali lake. I have put up some pictures of the mountain, taken in late October, but I expect the weather would be equally clear in April. However, I would not go trekking in Garhwal in April. There are several places on the Kuari Pass routes, where the trail narrows down a lot with steep drops to the side. If there is a lot of snow on the path, these spots could be rather difficult to navigate, especially with a first-timer in the group.

That seems unlikely, because the permit is issued --- by the DFO, Nanda Devi National Park, whose office is in Joshimath --- only after registering the names of the guide and the porters, in addition to those of the trekkers.

As Dilliwala said, it may be mandatory to take a guide along because the area is within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The first of the rules listed on the reverse of the permit says, "Visiting teams will have to hire guides/porters from local villages through registered local operators. In no circumstance will hiring of guides or porters from any outside agency be allowed." Although this rule is often violated, I think it is better to take a guide along because even on the northern side of the pass, there is a fair amount of forest, where one could lose one's way. Further, taking a guide or a porter from that area benefits the local economy.

There is some more information in the thread mentioned by Dilliwala in post #11. Please let me know if I can be of any further help.

Raghu.

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dontstop99

Awe-inspiring images Raghu, I am even more pumped up to go on this trek now. I know this trek will be tough to undertake at this time but am still going to go ahead with it. If conditions are unfavourable , we can always turnback.

And yes we wont go without a guide now.

thanx for worthful info.