tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52946334941717650042024-03-13T08:23:58.339+05:30Snowscapes of The HimalayasGlimpses of exploring the Grand Mountain on footHim-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-7089780660054049482014-08-20T19:10:00.000+05:302015-12-12T12:40:10.510+05:30Janhavi Exploration III- The Chor Gad Baspa Traverse-(Part 3/3)
(This expedition won the IMF Award for "Outstanding Exploratory Civilian Expedition" in 2014)
Traversing the Chunsa Khaga
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Continued from Part II
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Stage II- Snow Trudge through Glacier Kingdom
Kalapani 4350M- Base Camp 4950M (6 Km)- Advanced Base Camp
5250 M(Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-47125494287816755912014-08-20T04:50:00.000+05:302015-12-12T12:40:21.198+05:30Jahnavi Exploration III- The Chor Gad- Baspa Traverse (Part 2/3)
(This expedition won the IMF Award for "Outstanding Exploratory Civilian Expedition" in 2014)
The Shepherd Trail in the Smugglers' Valley
---------------------------------------
Continued from Part I
________________________
Stage 0- The Drive In
Delhi-Uttarkashi (425 Km)- Dumku (108 Km)
We reached Uttarkashi on 7th June by the
appointed time, 12 Noon. The afternoon was spent Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-5536830783232125312014-08-19T10:23:00.001+05:302015-12-12T12:40:32.525+05:30Janhavi Exploration III- The Chor Gad- Baspa Traverse (Part 1/3)
The Saga of 'Chunsa Khaga'
(This expedition won the IMF Award for "Outstanding Exploratory Civilian Expedition" in 2014)
Casting a distant gaze towards the head of the valley and biting
on a piece of 'pakora' he said,
(The Chunsa Khaga- the right saddle @ head of Bushaheri Nala)
“कैंप है आगे; बुशहरी नाला के पास ”-
he was answering my query Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-5673963592017814112013-08-19T19:11:00.002+05:302014-10-12T11:25:27.025+05:30In the Valley of the Jadhs- June 2013 (Part 2/2)
Exploring the Jadung Valley and Nakurche Dhar
Continued from Part 01
(The guesthouse by the banks of the Bhagirathi at Uttarkashi)
The day of the 1st of June breezed past at Uttarkashi with minimal hassle in
getting the permits this time around. (Last year was a pain! Running from one
office to another!)
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Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-7151127743113559402013-08-19T19:09:00.003+05:302016-10-07T01:56:22.093+05:30In the Valley of the Jadhs- June 2013 (Part 1/2)
The Tale of the Jadhs of Jadhung
“They must have cooked the name up“ I thought when one of
the officers of the Jadung post said…
(The Janak Taal - nestled pretty in the Jadung Gaad valley- June 2013)
"हाँ हाँ, दस कीलोमीटर आगे ताल है बहुत सुन्दर- जनक ताल .”
When the names that one had been hearing all along the
valley with such apparent Tibetan influence, (Jangla, Kopang, Karcha,Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-90863483092052592142012-09-28T09:49:00.001+05:302014-10-12T11:26:53.672+05:30Auden's Trail through Shiva's Matted Locks-II
Continued from Part I
Day 7- Upper Ghora Gad Valley Entrance (4600M)- Basisi Bend (5050M) (5 Km)
The skies were finally clearing up. We were looking forward to a great day of long-march that could potentially put us close to the snout of the Basisi Glacier- the farthest and Eastern-most glacier of the Nelang watershed.
(Shepherd shelter ahead of campsite, before Suraji Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-85519178863114332302012-09-27T23:12:00.000+05:302014-10-12T11:26:33.410+05:30Auden's Trail through Shiva's Matted Locks- I
“Forbidden” and “Impossible” are the two words that have perhaps been the cause of most adventure, exploration and discovery. Such is the nature of the human mind.
Loving the drive on the winding road ahead of Bhaironghati, on my maiden venture to Gangotri, in the summer of 2000, one of those words had caught my attention.
Just when we were half an hour away from finishingHim-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-8899367737211730072011-08-13T23:56:00.036+05:302018-07-18T01:07:30.579+05:30Exploring Western Tibet Border Lands-II
Continued from Part I....
Expedition Himank: A walk in the Girthi & Kio Gaad Valleys
Part 2- The Tethyan Highland
18th June 2011
Day 6- Girthi Confluence(3720M)- Lower Matoli Camping Grounds(6 Kms, 4400M)
Route on right bank to Glacier snout
Well before daybreak, Suraj woke me up
“आशु भाई , GPS देना ज़रा ?” said he.
“क्यों , इतनी सुबह GPSHim-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com13Topidunga30.628385230787057 80.16002617529295530.626077230787057 80.156378175292957 30.630693230787056 80.163674175292954tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-68518585807871751202011-08-13T11:29:00.029+05:302011-08-15T00:16:19.488+05:30Exploring the Western Tibet Borderlands I
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Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-81162674595857117062010-08-30T11:30:00.366+05:302010-09-12T16:08:03.541+05:30In the Foot Steps of Frank Smythe- Part 2continued from Part 1Expedition Eden2Heaven- Over the Gupt Khal
Day 7- Rataban(E) Glacier(4500M)- Bank-Kund Lake(4500M)(6Kms Trek)
The body demands rest after the kind of ordeal we went through the previous day.
The camp woke up late in the morning. The clouded skies and the chill in the air did nothing to help the situation. It was as if we were planning to spend the day there! In theHim-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-40107022360500278802010-08-30T11:27:00.335+05:302018-07-18T01:14:13.790+05:30In the Foot Steps of Frank Smythe- Part 1
Expedition Eden2Heaven I– Over the angry Bhuinder Khal
(Morning at Gupt Khal base after 20 Hrs of snowfall)
"Will this snow ever stop?"- It was a thought that I blurted out aloud in the darkness of the tent.
"Shall we turn on the camp lantern?" Rajesh surprised me with a response from deep within his sleeping bag. "Its only 3 in the morning. Long hours yet for the light" He said.Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-75882347437824185802010-04-17T21:01:00.009+05:302010-09-03T02:05:36.230+05:30Prelude- Expedition Eden2Heaven (June- 2010)QUOTES from "Kamet Conquered"
(Frank Sydney Smythe)
"...The successful carrying out of an expedition to the summit of a Great Himalayan Peak depends upon so many factors that it is difficult to enumerate them in order, yet however well planned an expedition may be , and however well the plans are executed, there is always one link of strength unknown in the chain of Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-82783988250523965902010-01-23T00:54:00.057+05:302010-05-04T14:33:07.625+05:30Expedition Airaavat- In the Shadow of The Celestial Elephant(Explorations in the Haathi Parvat Valley)
Time: 1230 Hrs 5th Nov 2009
"Woh nahin Sir, yeh pass cross karna hai". Subhan said, his voice partially garbled in the radio transmission. Subhan, Vinod and Kundu were looking like three tiny specks at the feet of an imposing mountain.
"What???" I could not believe what he was saying. From where we were, this pass looked perched on top of a vertical Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-36875629151894319352009-08-15T13:21:00.061+05:302013-02-12T07:12:44.837+05:30Shwet Digant (Part 2)-Twin Passes Trek- Nalgan and Lamkhaga Pass
(Continued from the earlier article- 'Twin Passes Trek- Stage 1')
A Long Road to Heaven- over the Lamkhaga Pass
Twin Passes Trek- Stage II- (Chitkul- Lamkhaga Pass- Harsil)
View Nalgan Lamkhaga Actual Track in a larger map
Day 6- Sangla- Chitkul- Nagasthi Camp
The drive from Sangla to Chitkul is over a metalled road that is maintained beautifully. The only valley that had Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-34543345112332224572009-08-15T11:39:00.078+05:302009-08-16T19:37:58.183+05:30Shwet Digant (Part 1)-Twin Passes Trek- Nalgan and Lamkhaga PassShe was watching eagerly as Jaisingh helped the last of the members hop across to the other bank of the angry river. Did I notice a sense of despair in those innocent eyes?I realised all of a sudden, that the entire group of 30 Men (and women), who had by now crossed over already, were watching her with equal eagerness. For a moment, the sound of the roaring waters ceased to exist as my mind Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-85014265740376864612008-07-22T02:05:00.057+05:302018-08-04T11:16:11.493+05:30High Adventure At Cloud's End: Dhumdharkandi Pass, Monsoon 2008
They were appearing like two fist sized blots amongst rock debris, on that huge white canvas of a snow wall. Jaisingh and Dalbahadur were slowly proceeding across the snow slope, carefully stomping hard with each step. The wall rose a few hundred meters above us. Below, was a massive bowl of a snow field. We were standing on a rocky platform, ahead of which opened this vast amphitheatre. As I Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-59135304364411502572008-05-13T03:11:00.027+05:302011-09-25T11:22:02.489+05:30Saptarshikund- Remembrances of a PilgrimageSince when did Hanuman and Yamuna ever get related?
.... A faint question mark remained in the back of the mind even as I was doing my research for the maiden trip to Yamunotri.
I do claim of a better than average understanding of Hindu mythology but nowhere have I ever come across anything linking Hanuman and Yamuna!! Why is the first point of trek called Hanumanchatti? Why is the river Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-40655754191575058892008-05-05T19:20:00.028+05:302014-08-21T02:28:45.455+05:30Baptised by Fire... Kedartaal- The Winter of 2004
One could only hear silent footsteps echoing in that vast silent valley. Our footsteps! We were marching on a bit loosely; observing the shadow line progressing over the hill ahead. The sun was softening out as it set on its way West and we were hastening walk in order to reach the campsite before shadows became longer.
"और कितना दूर Rana?".. I asked
"बस आ गया sir..abhi और एकHim-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-11138635814243291582008-02-09T21:35:00.003+05:302018-08-04T11:23:04.777+05:30Footloose in Virgin Valleys – The Bamsarukhal Trek
"Hi...You don't know me...but my name is Ajay..." I was reading this surprise mail in my in-box from this guy from the United States of America. He was seeking my advice on possible trek routes in the Himalayas. That's probably the first time I had a go at being a professional adviser on issues relating to trekking and guess what? it was the toughest I have handled so far! This guy was seeking Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-18236701039585159812008-01-26T19:28:00.001+05:302008-01-29T01:11:21.297+05:30Paradise Where the Gods Reside- Tapovan"When the wind blows at you that menacingly, carrying snowflakes as sharp as needles, when you can't see forth cause of the piercing fury of it..and when you turn your back, it's as if wind gets sucked out of your lung… its white all around and you don't know which way to go because the fresh footprints get snowed out in seconds! that's when you know it's a blizzard…" Sandhu was giving us a firstHim-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-13278285588909168752008-01-26T02:19:00.001+05:302012-11-07T21:17:43.474+05:30The Abode of Bhagirathi- Fountainhead of A Civilisation
....and the lilting poetry of the Shree Gangashtotram, goes on for another 12 stanzas..In a moment of absolute spiritual inspiration...sitting by the banks of the Ganges...thus wrote the great sage Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD.
Of the many travels and treks that have me besotted so comprehensively with the King of the Mountains (Nagadhiraja- Himalaya...as Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-27420646695137043752007-11-24T16:02:00.001+05:302018-08-04T11:20:40.428+05:30Snow Fields, Rockwalls and Riverine Vistas- Traversing Balipass in Winter
Standing in the middle of that 70 degree slope I dug deep again with the hiking staff. Loose earth and rubble sliding from under made it a giant effort to just hold on there. I looked up and saw Jaisingh almost overhead a hundred feet above, waving at me and saying something completely inaudible. Looking down I see Ritesh as a small speck several hundred feet down below, Rama and Pradeep restingHim-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-80776068049736588512007-10-07T08:08:00.000+05:302007-12-02T08:42:59.665+05:30Balipass Trek - Itinerary and PreparationDetailed Itinerary and CostBali pass / Yamunotri pass H. 5236 Mtr.Best season 15th May to 15 Nov. (We are basically in the end window planning our trip from 25th Oct- 2nd Nov 2007)Days 01Delhi- Hanuman chatti – Janki chatti (Trekkers Team)/Uttarkashi –Hanuman Chatti – Janki chatti - (Support Team).On arrival at Barkot Lunch at the Hotel after Lunch Short drive for Janki Chatti 02 hrs On arrival Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-67651935019285492792007-06-17T16:39:00.000+05:302018-08-04T11:28:44.579+05:30Mysterious Pretty Lake of Doom- Roop Kund
8th Century AD:
(The mystery lake- Roopkund)
The Gods had been very angry for several days now. The snow fall would just not relent!!! There had been no sun for days ! The group of pilgrims was stuck in the middle of a tarn on a high mountain pass. Having taken refuge in the frozen tarn, the depression of the bowel shape providing some shield against the blinding blizzard- blowing few Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294633494171765004.post-32480655745148411012007-06-16T02:24:00.001+05:302007-06-17T00:04:28.753+05:30Preparing to Explore the HeightsIts like a fervent wish- when u are into a hole, a difficult situation, hoping and praying to god to give u that little screw driver that's required to hold that specs-lens in the frame. Over the years, as one has gone on trudging from one difficult spot to the other (and of course all those heavenly and transcendental moments) the wish-list for trekking preparation has constantly grown. Here is Him-Pathikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898524845912798206noreply@blogger.com11