Gangotri & Gomukh

Hi,

I have a great desire to go to Gangotri and from there to Gomukh. Planning for early next year. However, the concern is I have knee problem which causes pain if I walk for long time at a stretch. Though otherwise I am physically fit and 45 yrs of age, I am not sure whether I will be able to make it with the problematic pair of knees. Can you please advice?

appreciate your wish chandan ji, its 19 km one side. at certain places you may face slight problem, but you can manage. dont go fast, take easy steps and have one buffer day. fulfill your wish, plan properly and go. tell your self that you can do... where there is a will, there is a way.....

Chandan,

It depends on what your "knee problem" is.

Gangotri does not require any walking.

Gaumukh requires 18kms of trek each way. If you would have enough time, you can split it over 3 days of treks.... 14 kms upto Bhojwasa on day 1, Bhojwasa - Gaumukh - Bhojwasa on day 2, 14 kms return on day 3.

For this year, limited number of ponies were allowed each day ie.,. 15. However, the situation for next year is not known now.

Also, it would depend on whether you have a problem in one knee or both knees et al.

All that I can tell is you need to be reasonably fit to make the trek succesfully. If you are stuck midway it would be a nuisance for you as well as anyone accompanying you.

ribhu

Chandan01,

Since you say, you have a problematic pair of knees which causes pain after a long walk, I'll suggest you to consult your orthopaedician before embarking on a demanding trek like this. As Ribhu95 said, if you feel pain midway, it will be a problem for you as well as your companions.

Thank you all for your valuable suggestions.I will consult a doctor before embarking on this journey.

Dear Chandan,
You can split ur trip to Gomukh into 3- First day from Gangotri to Chidibasa-7 kms. Itis tough.Second day to Bhojbasa from there- 5kms. Not so tough and the last lap from there to Gaumukh- easy trek - almost level. Ur knee I wonder how bad it is. The first and second lap with a bad knee can be real tough. But the sights being so wonderful may be you can make it after proper consultation with ur doctor.
Narayanvee

Chandan, consult your orthopedician, start getting used to walking (starting with short walks that you can manage). Do not go directly to Gangorti. Stay for one or two days and walk at 8-9,000 feet. Aclamatization is absolutely necessary. I have seen young bubbly college students to suffer from altitude sickness.

Narayanvee & Aupmanyav,

Thanks for your valuable advices. Actually my knee is not very bad, preliminary stage, what is called as "Pre-Arthritis". I used to jog for many years till this problem surfaced. Now I go for morning walk regularly for about 45 min a day for 5 days in a week. But trekking in high altitude is different ball game and that is why I am confused. However, I am dying to go. Few months back I had been to Ladakh and I was quite ok from altitude sickness point of view. But hardly did any walking as most of the travelling was by car.

I want to give it a try, worst come worst I will have to return from Gangotri but it will still fulfil half of my dream

Thanks guys!