Partners -- Kalindi Khal Trek- 2008

AvidTrekker

Kalindi Khal in October is highly snow prone.

Isolated snowing starts 22 Sept or thereabouts.

October 7th onwards, it will be snowing every day (light to moderate)

November onwards, Kalindi Khal route will become un-doable.

This July 2008 onwards, the Uttaranchal State Govt has enacted some restrictions on entry to the Gangotri National Bio Reserve (entrance to Kalindi Khal). It is possible that they may not issue permits for trekking in October. Since this is the very first month, we are all awaiting "on the ground" reports and expect Bureaucratic bumbling in this first season.

In October, you can go upto Tapovan, for which permits are granted without hassle, and maybe Nandanvan.

I do recall that some trekkers were nearly frozen at Tapovan itself in October 2005. (KK is much higher) Even if you are issued a permit, weather will remain a question mark.
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In October, your options are the Annapurna Circuit and Eastwards on the Himalayan range. (It doesn't rain in these parts so much) In India you can do the Singali La Trek in Sikkim and further upto Goecha La via the unfrequented border route upto November.
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realmacoy

hi all,
is anyone interested in going towards end september....i would be interested at that time...best regds ajay

Austriangirl

good day avid,

this is bad news but anyways, thanks for keeping me informed........will have to rearrange my plans..........have a good weekend.......greetings

ashutosh69

Kalindikhal in October is dicey. The precipitations that happen in late autumn- early winter period ..are kinda difficult to predict.
Kalindikhal is special because of the extended exposure to weather risks. Its prowess is probably at its peak in that period.

Its better to try routes that are relatigvely less impacted by weather risks. Many passes in the low 5000 mtrs are doable with proper gear and preparation

codenamef7

hi,
We are planning to trek to kalindi khal in september end - october start. The problem we are facing is that we are still not able to arrange satellite phone which is necessary for getting the permit.

Once we get the satellite phone , we will finalize our plan. If someone can suggest from where we can get satellite phone it would be great.

Looking forward for replies.

AvidTrekker

Unless someone comes up with a sat phone on hire for a reasonable sum, this rule (if strictly implemented) will kill the Kalindi Khal Trek.

All the best and may you find that sat phone
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rajnag

hi,
I have a suggestion. Will they allow portable ham radio to be used instead of satellite phone?

they have goo range as long as there is no blockage which applied for sat phones as well.
ham radio is cheaper and we can get license for it in india

rajnag

one more suggestion.
http://www.globalcomsatphone.com/spot/

much cheaper!

or this!
http://www.globalcomsatphone.com/sat...s_iridium.html

rental!

AvidTrekker

rajnag, thanks for those links.

We Indians have a corrupt "Customs Department". How will they let this package through without their pound of flesh? Thuraya handsets are not allowed for civilian use as they "could be used for anti-National activities" [even regular cellphones are used]

This idiocy will take some time before the dust settles down. WE will only know from actual experiences whether KK treks were allowed in the end (with or without sat phones)
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rajnag

Hi All,
Looks like the spot satellite personal messenger does not work only in india and central and south africa.
http://www.findmespot.com/ExploreSPOT/Coverage.aspx

Check out the coverage. Otherwise this would have been perfect. It's not too expensive and it can be rented out on a weekly basis to hikers who want it.
I agree about the pound of flesh.
I searched a little more and I feel this option is very legal and doable. Portable ham radios.
Yaesu VX-7R that only weighs 9.8oz with a Diamond 1/4 wave antenna
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd...5&isArchived=0

reviews
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/lof...p?t126921.html

I feel it would be perfect if we hikers can band together, get ham radio licenses(it's not too difficult , check out your local ham radio organization) and set up repeaters(that is regular ham radios) as a network of coverage for hikers.

People who live in areas like uttaranchal,hp etc will be particularly useful as they will extend the range into the remote trekking areas.
It;s not that hard to get a license either.

http://www.hamradioindia.org/amateur...53#howtobecome

What do you say guys ?

AvidTrekker

The Ham Radio is an excellent idea.

When Mumbai floods, hams are the only people helping out the Govt. Whether Uttaranchal Babus will agree, is the Question.

I haven't read the exact text of this "sat-phone" requirement anywhere, so cannot comment.

Thanks for your inputs
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pvharikrishnan

i with one of my friend is planning a kalindi khal trek by 16 sep from Delhi.

mikes_abhi

fieldbio .. I and a frnd of mine plan 2 go there in august end .. we want to be at the highest point on September and then return back 2 delhi ... can u share ur plans

pvharikrishnan

We are from Kerala. will be reaching Delhi on 16 of Sep, 2k8 and Rishikesh on 17 of sep. would like be back delhi by 2/3 oct.

pvharikrishnan

Hi

I, with one of my friend is planning Kalindi Khal trek. We are planning to reach Rishikesh by 17 of Sep and go uphill. can we join with your team.

regards
harikrishnan

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