After 4 months of planning and preparations finally we accomplished our Roopkund Trek, heard lot about this trek read loads of blog to get proper guidance, as the days were coming near this Nepal earthquake brought us more trouble, few of our partners better halves started objecting for the trek. But somehow we convinced them.
Roopkund, a lake at 15,600 feet in the Chamoli district, Garhwal, Himalayas of Uttaranchal, also known as skeleton lake. Some call it Mysterious Lake, but recent investigations concluded that many centuries (1200 years) ago, a group of pilgrims died due to horrendous hail storming. But this part is frozen for most of the year, one can see those skeletons only in the month of September-October. This destination has become a great trekking trail for the nature lovers. The trail to Roopkund passes through spectacular landscapes, oak forest, alpine meadows, green pastures and snow fields. Roopkund offers everything, forest, mountain, river, meadows, snow what else you need in a single trail. From Roopkund trail view of Trishul (7120 meters) and Nandaghunti (6310 meters) are mesmerising.
From Kharagpur to Howrah and then from Howrah to Kathgodam only convenient train is Bagh express. Journey was long but with friends around it wasnt that boring. After 38 hours chuk-chuk-chuk we reached Kathgodam. We already booked a cab from Kathgodam to Lohajung by phone. The cab was waiting for us as soon as we came out of railway station the driver was waiting for us there were three more people who were also supposed to travel upto Lohajung. We left Kathgodam at 1130 hours and reached Dewal at 1930 hours, this was the place where the cab belongs to. The cab owner was greeted us offered some tea and snacks. Then it took just one hour to reach the base camp Lohajung, it was 2030 hours when we reached Lohajung. There were many hotels and guest houses in Lohajung, many means not many 4-5. We stayed in Patwal Guest House.
Next morning we started our trek.
DAY 01-
3rd June 2015 - Lohajung to Didna - 12Km
0800 hours Lohajung
1400 hours Didna Top
We pitched our tents in Didna and after lot of problems in lighting the stove we made dinner for that night and lunch for next day.
DAY 02
4th June 2015 - Didna Top to Bedni Bugyal
0730 Hours from Didna Top
Toughest trail of this trek, bit difficult to hike this part. but believe me trail after this will make you forget all the difficulties you face in this part. We reached the top known as "Khobla" of this mountain around 1145 hours. This train is just 3Km but it took us 4 hours to reach the top, from the time we took you can calculate the difficulty level.
We had some food at that top and from this top there was no sign of trees over there only grass green grass all over. After having some food we left.
Didna top -- To Khobla 3 Km
This was the toughest trail. The height we gained in these few kilometers made us breath heavily.
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| Khobla |
Khobla to Aoli Bugya 2Km
We reached Aoli Bugyal at 1250 hours. There is small krishna temple and there is a stone over there which is said to be god's stone, devotees lift that stone.
Aoli Bugyal to Bedni Bugyal 2Km
Beautiful meadows, green grass all over its mesmerising.
There was a hut where we decided to stay and cook our dinner. Bedni Bugyal is one of the best part of this trail. It is Asia's biggest meadows.
DAY 03
5th June 2015 - Bedni Bugyal to Pathar Nachawni 3.5 Km
This was the shortest trail covered by us in a single day. We had Maggi in our breakfast and left Bedni Bugyal at 0725 Hrs. In this trail we started getting glimpse of snow at few places and the view of Nandadevi and Trishul was getting more clear. At 1000 Hrs we reached Pathar Nachawni.As per our itinerary we decided to stay at Pathar Nachawni. After Pathar Nachawni only place where you can pitch your tent is Bhagwa Basa. But there is a problem with pitching tent in Bhagwa Basa, its totally covered with snow. If you love to enjoy the stay there then you can proceed to Bhagwa Basa instead of staying at Pathar Nachawni. After whole day rest at Pathar Nachawni we were supposed to start at midnight for our final destination.
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| Pathar Nachauni camp |
DAY 04
6th June 2015 - Pathar Nachawni to Roopkund to Pathar Nachawni 20Km (10Km + 10Km)
It was chilled morning or I should say midnight 12:00 when I woke up my headache was at its best playing drums all over my head. After finishing daily chores everyone was ready. We left Pathar Nachawni at 0230 Hrs. It was amazing to walk in that darkness. From Pathar Nachawni to Kaluwa Viayak is 3.5 Km, we reached here at 0400 Hrs. This trail is little rocky. So while walking you must be little careful. At Kaluwa Vinayak there is a Vinayak Temple, where number of conche and bells are kept for devotees and trekkers. Everyone who passes this point blow conche.
From Kaluwa Vinayak to Bhagwa Basa the trail is covered with snow. From here you have to walk carefully as the trail is just half feet wide.
We were very excited with this trail as first time we saw so much of snow and in that excitement we forgot the risk factor. But one must be careful while walking here if you have Krampons then there is no problem, you can walk over easily. We reached Bhagwa Basa at 0505 Hrs. We had some omelette and tea before leaving for Roopkund, this is the last camp before Roopkund. Our guide Mohan arranged Krampons for all of us. Normally it rents Rs.1000 per pair but our guide did some what we say JUGAAD and arranged 6 pairs for just Rs.200 that 200 bucks was for the boy who gave us this. We were very happy and excited with those Krampons on. We left Bhagwa Basa at 0600 Hrs. And this final trail is just awesome, snow every where. But as we left Bhagwa Basa day light came in but it was little cloudy morning which made us little worried, but still the guide said no need to worry lets go. An hour after we left Bhagwa Basa it started thundering we were all worried although we were all having our Ponchos with us. After few minutes it started raining, the rain brought smile on all our faces, it was snow not water. The guide said "Dekha sir aya na mza, yahan pani nhi baraf girta h"...he said how is it sir it snows here not rain water. We enjoyed the trail, you have to walk slowly as the breathe is not enough at that altitude. I was the last one to reach in our group. It was 0900 Hrs when I reached the point, where as Gajedra first guy top reach the point was there at 0850 Hrs. That place is awesome there is a kund (pond) but we were not permitted to go down, little disappointment but its OK the view all around was so beautiful that that disappointment was nothing. Clicked lot of snaps, Our friend Probhas Mondal made history at that point HOW??... dont ask... we cant reveal it. Its a secret among us only.
Now its time to return. At 0935Hrs we left Roopkund and started descending. While descending I enjoyed alot, wherever I used to find declined place I used to sit and skit. It was really amazing to slide down. At 1105 Hrs we were at Bhagwa Basa. Had a small break and left for Pathar Nachawni. We were supposed to return those Krampons at Bhagwa Basa but somehow we managed to convince the guy and take those krampons upto Kaluwa Vinayak. At Kaluwa Vinayak we found some local guys whom Mohan (our guide) gave those Krampons to return at Bhagwa Basa. We reached Pathar Nachawni at 1300 Hrs. Everyone was very happy and tired as well. We were in our sleeping bags around 1400 Hrs and came out next morning around 0500 Hrs.
DAY 05
7th June 2015 - Pathar Nachawni to LohaJung (30Km)
Longest sleep ever. Today we were supposed to return to our base camp. We left Pathar Nachawni at 0800 Hrs and reached Wan at 1330 Hrs. From Wan you will get Vehicle upto Lohajung.
From Pathar Nachawni to Bedni Bugyal (5Km)
From Bedni to Gairoli Pathar (4Km)
From Gairoli Pathar to Neel Ganga (2Km)
Shortcuts are amazing use them you will enjoy it.
From NeelGanga to WAn (4Km)
Little difficult trail at the begining but after 1.5 Km its village trail so u will enjoy it, keep some choclates with you for this part of trail as you will find lot of kids playing around in those villages, your choclates will add little more smile to their faces.
At WAN you will get vehicles upto Lohajung, we had our lunch here at WAN,
From WAN to Lohajung (15Km) In an hour we were back to our base camp. An awesome journey, another chapter in my life which brings smile on my face whenever I remember it. Gajendra an old friend we met after 16 years thanks to him, an amazing athlete to accompany. How can I forgot my all time partners Sumanta Biswas, Susanta Mudi and and Probhas Mondal the all rounder, the Bat Balatkari our darling. Most active fellow. Thanks Bhai...
Our Team:
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| From Right to Left: Sumanta Biswas, Susanta Mudi, Probhas Mondal, Jaydhar Chowdhary, Gajendra, Rajendra Ji (Our Muley man) |
And the person who made this trek easier for us was Mr. Mohan Singh Bisht,our guide and Mahendra Singh Damu who arranged such a nice guide and other important items for us.
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| Mohan Singh Bisht, Lohajung, Roopkund Trek |
Mohan Sigh Bisht
Ph.: 08126336169
Mahendra Singh Damu
Ph: 08979666837, 09410925427
Even Mohan can arrange everything for you. For Kunwari pass and Roopkund, Junargali you can cotact them. They can arrange vechicles for you as well to pick up from Kathgodam.
Charges:
Guide: per day Rs.800 ( you have to hire them for minimum 6days whether you complete your trek in one day you have to pay them for all 6 days. )
Tent: per day Rs.200
Muley: per day Rs. 1000 (same as guide you have to hire them for min 6 days and u have to hire those muley in pair, that means two muley for Rs.1000)
No need to carry utensils and stoves with you everything is available their, and the rent is not much Rs50 per day.
This was my experience may be things can change but the feel never. So enjoy your biggest journey......L I F E....nothing can match this.
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