Trekking in Garhwal

Another great guide for the Tunganath area is Dinesh (must be in his 20s). He is based in Mukumath, near Dugalbitta. His mobile no. is 09410115787. He used to charge Rs. 500/day last year.(Dinesh should give me a small commission (maybe 5% or 10 or 20) for putting his number on the internet)

Hi
We are a team of 4 (3 men 1 women)planning for a trek to vasuki tal/Sweta Glaciar(Age 30-32).
Itenary:
30th Apr - Mum-Delhi(2230H)
1st May - Haridwar(0400H)- Uttarkashi(1400H)-Gangotri(1900H)by shared cab from rishikesh.
2nd May - Gangotri-Gaumukh
3rd May - Gaumukh-Nandanvan
4th May - Nandanvan-Vasuki Tal
5th May - Vasuki Tal-Sweta Glaciar
6th May - Sweta Glaciar-Nandanvan
7th May - Nandanvan-Gaumukh
8th May - Gaumukh-Gangotri
9th May - Uttarkashi(1200H)-Haridwar(2000H)
10th May - Delhi(relax)
11th May - Delhi-Mum(0900H)

Facts:
Only 1 person trekked Tapovan earlier, others 1st timers.
Pass arranged by local contact at Uttarkashi
Planned for only a guide to be picked up at gangotri(no porters, hence each to carry an avg of 7kg)

Suggestion Required:
1.Is special trekking gear reqd post vasuki tal during this time(for ice)?
2.Weather condition - chances of rain?

Possibility:
In case onward trek till vasuki tal on time(as planned) and all members fit then proceed further else look at option of exploring khara pathar or proceed with return trip.

In such case would like to know other areas to see near by nandanvan/vasuki tal.

Read a lot of threads/posts from a lot of experienced guys...Need ur suggestions

Thanks.
Subrat

everything can be managed but only if you get permit issued on those dates... i doubt you will get permits ahead of Gaumukh... Gaumukh also possible if you have a local guide with you..

Subrat, you are setting yourself for failure - I am sorry but I have to be honest with you. In your group there is no past experience of a trek of this nature plus you have no time for acclimitisation at all. Also permit situation changes the whole scenario, when I went there was no permit requirments, so I cannot comment on that but assuming you get a permit also. My advise is
1. Keep 1 day in gangotri for acclimatisation
2. 1 Day from Gangotri to Gaumukh is a stretch - stay at Bhojbasa
3. Next day bhojbasa to tapovan can be managed. I know you are planning Nandavan but I suggest Tapovan instead as it is a beuatiful place and you can spend 1 day here to acclimitaize, ideally given your group's composition spend 2 nights in tapovan, second day you can do some side treks like neelatal
4. If your group still feels ok then from Tapovan you can go to Nandanvan and may be Vasukital also
5. Keep some reserve days

All this asumes you are getting the permits. Pls note I am not trying to discourage you and it is not impossible a few first timers have done this but most fail. Also the idea on such treks should be to enjoy and not tick off places that you have trekked to or heights you have achieved.

All the best

First the comments on the itinerary and then the queries
1.Morning of 2nd May (I am assuming all dates mentioned after the 30th Apr are in May) you are at Gangotri (3000 M) and the evening of 4th May you are at Vasuki Taal (5000 M approx).. thats an altitude gain of 2000 M in 60 Hrs. Pretty tough for acclimatisation even if you are on Diamox.
2. Estimation of 7Kg per person for a 10 day trek in high altitude!! You are either cutting too thin on ration or on Woollens...neither is advisable on this trek. In fact you should have 2 days of extra ration just in case you have a freak snowfall. I would estimate a per person load of at least 20 Kgs....probably 25.
3. Assuming all first timers crossing 5000 M that too with minimal acclimatisation... with a lady in the team. ...kinda too tall a task. You surely cant attempt the 8/9 Kms stretch from Vasuki Taal to Sweta Glacier the next day.
4. For attempting anywhere ahead of Vasuki Taal...the guide really must be good and you must be prepared with stuff like iceaxe, rope and if possible a Koflach at least for the leader.....am assuming a freak weather change.

For the past few years one is seeing precipitation in the upper reaches in the second half of May. You are likely to get good weather. But an occassional short squall in the 8-10th May period can be expected....not the persistent for 2 days types but a sudden snowfall of a foot or so.

In my opinion be conservative on this killer route. I am sure that you are aware, this route claims few lives every year regularly...at least for the last decade or so. Target to reach and explore Vasuki Taal with at least one day of acclimatisation at Gaumukh. Nandanvan is not a great place to camp/acclimatise since there is shortage of water there. ... you might find some water at Upper Nandanvan...there is a sort of a pond where the leading ridge to Bhagirathi II starts. Also strongly recommend use of Diamox to accelarate acclimatisation....u would be gaining too much of altitude too soon.

In fact a good idea would be to return via Tapovan on the way back...that will require you to cross the breadth of Gangotri Glacier on your way back.... but its doable ....Vasuki Taal to Tapovan in one day. The next day you can descend to Bhojwasa and the next day to Gangotri.

Any more queries, most welcome!!

Just adding on to what Spicetrekker has said...I did a similar route in 2003 ...explored till about 2 kms of Vasuki Taal... you can find the details at my blogsite
http://snowscapes.blogspot.com/2008/...e-tapovan.html

Thanks a ton Ashutosh n Spice trekker. I knew our plan was aggressive but wanted the experts opinion Thanks for info on return trip via tapovan... Will update on the progress of our trip...

i agree with SOM & Ashutosh that people should be conservative and be reluctant to move beyond Tapovan & Nandanvan area, even i saw casuality last year(2009) in this area also.
please take permit from Uttarkashi (DFO )in well advance even if you are going to Gaumukh
last year i saw all dhabas-shops which were there previously between gangotri-chairbass-bhojbasa area are eradicated for nature conservation purpose now you have only option to stay at bhojbasa in lal baba ashram or at GMVN dormitory

Hi all,

I am planning to go Badrinath. Can some trek include in my itinerary? We have 7 to 10 days in hand ex Haridwar. There are 4 adult 2 male & 2 Female (aged 40 to 50) and two naughty kids (aged 7 & 10 years) full of energy and all set to enjoy on Ice & some adventure? We have also planning for Pindari & Kafni Glaciers, Valley of Flower & Hemkund Sahib but all on papers. But only thing is final that we have to proceed any where any way between August to October 1st Half. I want an expert opinion & well wisher suggestion/comment. Will any one ?

pathakji
as you are accompanied with female and kids so go for Tungnath-chndershila trek its easy and doable and also its on the way to your badrinath plan

With Badrinath, I would recommend VoF and Hemkund if you travel before in Aug/early sept. Post that VoF may not be a good option. Deaorital, Tungnath, Chandrashila are also good option. I would however higlight that in this season you not be able to walk on ice/snow in any of these treks

Thanks guys,

Thanks for quick reply and good suggestions. I will keep all these things in mind and work out. There will be sure some way out as some experts like sompan & mountainlover with me. Thanks guys thanks once again.

Hey,


We are actually a bunch of students planning a trek to Garhwal - Nandikund to be precise, in October. Basically we have around 12 - 15 days in hand. We did a little research and thought of starting off from a place called Pipalkoti which lies near the Alaknanda river.

I would appreciate it if you could give your inputs on this considering you've been there!

Thanks!

PS: I tried posting it on the Nandikund thread but no one is replying!

What kind of information you are looking for? It's all there in threads on Nandikund. Btw, I have no idea about pipalkoti route, but know the trek to Nandikund from kalimath, via madhmaheshwar. You will get the porters etc from there itself.

agree with Jitu bhai, from pipalkoti there is no trek route.. you either do this trek from madhyamaheshwar reach nandikund, cross Bansinarayan and reach Urgam valley (kalpeshwar) or do other way round...