Life at 15696 Feet – Exploring Roopkund (Himalaya)
Spell in mountains, they will never let you die anyway..!!
They said “Roopkund nahi kiya to kya kiya.!!! Challenge Accepted.”
For those who don’t know, Roopkund is one of the toughest peaks in India to climb upon at 15696 Feet unlike where i reside now “Bombay” is at 33 Feet from sea level. Roopkund has the infamous reputation for having some of the worst weather when u get hands-on with Hailstorms-Snowfalls-Heavy rains with a slippery and muddy path to step on. A good catch on the way may keep you walking or a slip may send you to start all over again if you are lucky enough to climb, remember the snake-ladder game!!
The expedition was terribly awesome, with a lot of cross countries. Pushing ourselves, pushing our lungs to get more, telling your legs to walk more, asking your knees to load more, carving your mind for more and more and more is fun in itself. Its a must visit heaven for trekkers.
“Respect the mountains, they are unbreakable.!!”
Well now, the slots were booked for 19th May 2017.
Trekkers all around, branding Decathlon/Wildcraft. Bullshit..!! I had my bags packed with essentials.!!
Must Have:
- Rucksack 55 ltr-65ltr is done.!!
- Walking stick/Trekking pole with Torch.
- Sunglasses with UV protection.
- Sunscreen SPF 50+.
- Day Bag for carrying daily essentials on trek, water proof 20 Ltr bag will be enough.
- Tissue paper and Wet wipes for day 7, reserve it do not waste or rub it with ice up there.
- 4-5 pairs of Cotton/Wollen socks, keep few for last 2 days.
- 2 Bottles of water or Hydration pack at-least 3 litres.
- Rain jacket with pants, buy XL size or bigger for better comfort. And Poncho for mind satisfaction later and Russian Mafia photos frames.
- Hand gloves with additional Wollen gloves.
- Leg gaiters to avoid shoes getting wet from water/rains.
- Wollen Monkey cap/Neck gaiters for chilly and windy trekks spec. for last 3 days.
- Jungle Shoes/Burma Boot/Commando shoes from any nearest army store. Perfect.! Money in the pocket.!! They lied to you at Decathlon/Wildcraft. The truth is NOTHINGS IS WATER PROOF. Shoes sold here are water repellent/resistant but not water proof. Get any thick/hard sole shoes and rub it with WAX and hot air the surface. Congratulation they are Water proofed now. As simple as that. Click here for how? And normal extra shoes incase they burst.
- Tiffin and spoon for packed food.
- 6-10 Energy/Nutrition bars as Senzu beans.
- Disprine/Digine tablets, to be gulped under Trek leader’s supervision.
- 2-3 Innerwears (As if you gonna get a chance to change it, you see just for sake).
- Perfume/Deodorant for the sake for other trekkers.
- MP3Player or Ipod so that while walking your don’t hear you breathe crying. (Recommended)
For confused souls, drive by Decathlon/Wildcraft. Here’s the checklist for Trekking
Free Advice:
- Temperature drops down from 26 Degree to -5 Degree with unbearable bright sun glares, results in skin tanning.
- Delhi to Lohajung by Ranikhet starts at 2220 Hours from Old Delhi.
- The luggage is yours until you are awake in Ranikhet Express. High chances of , missing bag magics.!!
- Oxygen will be checked twice a day by Trek Leader. 80% or Below 80% the trekker will be descended against his/her will.
- If you trekking with TTH and could not summit Roopkund due to health issues do not worry as you can trek again after a year for free of cost. (TnC subject to trekking agency)
- Congratulation, Only option for AMS is Descend.
- Headaches are Normal, drink more water to avoid.
The trekking is planned by Trekking Agencies for Roopkund trek as per timings of Ranikhet Express. The pickup will be waiting at Kathgodam station. Contact your transport coordinator for contact details. The big daddies India Hikes and TTH base camps at Lohajung (210 Km).
Day 1:- Reaching base camp – Loharjung
Kathgodam to Loharjung | 210 KM | 10 Hours bumpy drive (Not for Pile patients) | Arrival Approx 5 PM | 7662 feet
Temperature: 26 degrees
Food: Hotels and Daal Chawal with Sweet dish at Base camp.
Network Operator: Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Jio will for first 22 Kms
Charging Facility: Yes
Please keep your luggage and mobile phones hand tight. My iPhone 7 gone 6.5 after a tragic land crash.
make your self ready for 10 hours journey because the roads will not bother to surprise you. carry AUX cable and play your own music, enjoy the ride till Loharjung. In between break up your cab driver at Pindar River and Baijnath Group Of Temples (National Heritage untouched from polluted air) will take you breath away. Enjoy the Pine trees, food and music as much as you can coz the mountains will control you later.
On reaching, your medical certificates and disclaimers will be collected with brief instruction on Do’s and Donts.
Do’s:-
- Trash from wrapper to paper stays with you.
- Drink a lot of water to avoid Acute mountain sickness or Descent. At high altitudes when Oxygen is Low body extracts the same from Water. remember the Oxygen in H2O!! (minimum 4 ltrs a day.). See How here.
- Timing will be 6-7-8 which means 6= Tea, 7=Breakfast, 8=March.
- While trekking, keep your stick on Mountainside.
- Always be on mountainside while giving a way to trekkers/mules.
- Mountains manners.
- Teamwork, help others.
- Save water.
Don’ts:-
- Keep the mountains clean, Trash goes into a trash bag (it will be provided by agency).
- Disrespecting Staff over food and other kiddo issues. Don’t check their patience they can make you go crazy.
- No medications without informing your Trek Leader/Guide.
- No smoking/No alcohol. End of the trek either you will quit your habits or your trek. Believe me habits cant be quit.
- No warm wears wearing, while trekking.
If you are fresher or beginner please go for Mule you are not Hulk. Mule charges will be Rs. 300 per bag per day (Rs 1800/Full trek)
Day 2:- Didna Village
Loharjung to Didna Village | 6.5 Km | Moderate | Arrival Approx 1 Pm| 8045 Feet
Temperature: 19 Degrees
Food: Maggie/Tea for Rs 30/15 at rest points. And Daal Chawal and Rajgeera ka halwa (Dinner)
Network operator: Airtel, Idea, Vodafone
Total rest points: 3 Nos.
Charging facility: No.
Day Pack includes: Raincoats, 2 water Bottles, Energy bars, Light clothing.
The trek starts at sharp 8 Am if you smart enough you will make some food to your Tiffin from breakfast for trekking. No need to worry about water as trekks are plenty of natural water points. You will enjoy the pureness of water for sure. The Last 2 Kms will be very much steep, your knees will cry out. So the tip is to stay with the group but in front, walk slow, drink more water. The reason for walking in the front row is you will get more rest time than a slow walker.
By 1 Pm you will reach Didna village. If you are traveling with TTH congo you have a homestay if not at tent on high edge hills by other trekking agencies. Your visit will be followed by body warmup exercise. no one is allowed to sleep before 9.
As a piece of advice please do not nap or rest, keep walking because the movement you relax, the headaches will occur as anyhow your body will try to go lethargic so dont give him a chance be one. Doing so you will invite AMS symptoms.
At the evening there will be a compulsory acclimatization walk of a Kilometer followed by stories on mountains by Guides and Trek leader. acclimatization are necessary to keep your body retained at attained Altitude.
Mountains ” Ascend or Descend, heads are always to the ground… Respect..!! “
Day3:- Ali Bugyal
Didna Village to Ali Bugyal | 10.5 Km | Difficult | Arrival Approx 5 Pm | 11320 Feet
Temperature: 14-16 Degrees
Food: Maggie/Tea at Rs 45/15. Daal Chawal and Sweet dish (Dinner)
Network Operator: Airtel, Vodafone
Total Rest points: 4 Nos
Charging facility: No
Day Pack includes Raincoats, 2 water Bottles, Energy bars, Light clothing.
Trek starts at sharp 8 Am with Packed food for Lunch. I suggest you grab some from breakfast mostly Aloo Parantha and Boiled Egg. This includes 4-5 Km of Steep walking and here you will realize and will give a thought on smoking skills. Your lung will run out, knees will lose the sync to your eyes. Drink more water, i mean much more water. eat Energy bars, i mean beg borrow steal.
You will pass through some beautiful experiences and mountains with heavy pine trees. you will just want to get lost in them. the joy of lunch in fresh air will cheer you up. Photographs and photographs, burst mode, night mode, crazy mode. Click Post Snapchat tweet Insta.
Followed by acclimatization walk at evening and fun activities with trekkers.
“Remember the Oxygen from H2O, you need it more than anyone up there”
Day4:- Patar Nachauni
Ali Budhiyal to Patar Nachauni | 6.5 Km | Easy | Arrival Approx 3 Pm | 12818 feet
Temperature: 14-16 Degrees
Food: Maggie/Tea at Rs 60/20. Daal Chawal and Sweet dish (Dinner)
Network Operator: Airtel, Vodafone
Total Rest points: 4 Nos
Charging facility:Yes at 80 Mobile and 150 Power Banks and camera.
Day Pack includes: Raincoats, 2 water Bottles, Energy bars, Light clothing.
Starts at sharp 8 Am, through beautiful Ghora Lotani landscapes. Get to see the icy mountains and snow in the evening. Make sure warm wears are handy.
Followed by acclimatization walk at Ghora Lotani and fun activities with trekkers.
“Shiv Ji nahi manenge”
Day5:- Bhagwabasa
Patar Nachauni to Bhagwabasa | 4 Km | Moderate | Arrival Approx 1 Pm | 14117 feet
Temperature: 4-7 Degrees
Food: Maggie/Tea at Rs 60/20. Daal Chawal and Sweet dish (Dinner)
Network Operator: Airtel, Vodafone
Total Rest points: 4 Nos
Charging fa
cility:Yes at 100 Mobile and 150 Power Banks and camera.
Day Pack includes: Rain coats, 2 water Bottles, Energy bars, Light clothing with Cap/Wollen caps.
Timing are 7-8-9.
Starts at sharp 9 Am, a team will provide you warm water for the journey. If you are lucky enough you will be showered by Hail storms, heavy rains and snow all together at different altitudes till you reach Bhagwabasa.
The route will cross Kallu Vinayak, the perfect location for all photography skills and selfies.
The good oxygen content in your body at Baghwabasa makes you eligible to climb further to RoopKund.
Make sure the tissue papers and wet wipes are handy and reserved. All the tented toilets are without water. Good Luck.
“Beauty of Mountains, sun rises and sets”
Day6:- Summit to RoopKund
Bhagwabasa to RoopKund to Patar Nachauni | 3 Km Up + 3Km Down + 4 Km | Difficult | Arrival Approx 7 Am | 15696 feet
Temperature: -5 to 2 degrees
Food: Maggie/Tea at Rs 60/20. Daal Chawal and Sweet dish (Dinner)
Network Operator: Airtel, Vodafone
Total Rest points: 2 Nos
Charging facility: No
Day Pack includes: Rain coats, 2 water Bottles, Energy bars, Everything you got to wear.
As due to heavy snow and hail storming the timing to the summit will be 2:30=Tea, 3:30=Breakfast, 4=March.
The Crampons for shoes will be provided a day prior by the technical team. The torch is compulsory for early morning trekking. Teamwork, Girls in front and walk slow is prime agenda. The toughest trek starts at the rest 500 meters to Roopkund. a small slip may take you directly to downhill.
Enjoy the summit, hug everybody, click photos, pose madly click more photos. make some memories.
The teams will leave the roopkund by 8:30 and touch down to Baghwabasa by 12:30on the same day.
While descending be careful as i had day-mare. There was a moment where i slipped and could not move as i knew if i move I will summon myself into the base along with other trekkers. I could have died there. Just be careful with Ice, its not the same from your refrigerator.
On submitting the Crampons and collecting your luggage the teams will again march to Patar Nachauni via Kallu Vinayak.
Day7:- Bedni Bugyal and Wan
Patar Nachauni to Bedni Bugyal | 15 Km | Moderate | Arrival Approx 4 Pm | 12818 feet
Temperature: -5 to 2 degrees
Food: Maggie/Tea at Rs 30/20. Daal Chawal and Sweet dish (Dinner)
Network Operator: Airtel, Vodafone
Total Rest points: 4 Nos
Charging facility: No
Day Pack includes: Rain coats, 2 water Bottles, Energy bars, Light Clothing.
Make sure you massage your knees as the steep descending of 7 Km gonna happen while on the way to Bedni and Wan with gradual walking and bad roads.
Once the teams reach to Wan the Cab will be waiting to pick up all trekkers to LoharJung.
(Kismat: On the way, we got stuck in 2 heavy landslides.)
After a good bath, certificates will be given with brief feedback from both TTH and Trekkers end.
Day8:- Returning back to Kathgodam
Loharjung to Kathgodam | 210 Km | Moderate | Arrival Approx 10 Am | 7662 feet
Temperature: 25 Degrees
Food: Daal Chawal and Sweet dish (Dinner)
Network Operator: Airtel, Vodafone
Total Rest points: 4 Nos
Charging facility: Yes
Day Pack includes: Rain coats, 2 water Bottles, Energy bars, Light Clothing.
(Kismat: Our cab met with an accident..!! All safe..!! Godd.!!)
The cab will be picking up Trekkers by morning 6 Am onwards.
To say that it was an exciting and profoundly arousing experience for both my body and myself would be a huge understatement !! Sorry for the long post, glad you realized.!!
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