Trek to Kuaripass

Trekking in the old age is a challenge. At the age of 73, that's t9 with a cardiac bypass surgery 21 yrs back, aspire for a trek to Kuwanri Pass, may look too daunting. But my tour arranger cum guide Ashish Paswan, of Joshimath, just wrote me in WhatsApp " Thik hai saab, ho jayega ". Being convinced, I along with my long time trekmate Somnaath (in his late 50s) reached Joshimath on 22 September 2023. I've never seen so many landslides on way to Joshimath. It made us late by almost 4 hours!! Ashish Paswan (ph:8650709442) was anxiously waiting for our arrival, as he had already booked a hotel room for us and had arranged everything for our two-man team customised trek. Next morning he transported us to Tugasi , a small hamlet at an altitude of 8000' , overlooking the green valley of river Dhauli ganga, dotted with yellow red Ramdana fields under the hood of Mt. Dronagiri.

 We ascend about 3 kms on the ziz-zag stone steps through Gulling , native village of Ashish. Reached Gulling Campsite by early afternoon and after a tasty lunch, sat for enjoying the valley and peaks.

 Next day's trek through the pyne and birch forest for 5 kms was moderate, which ended in a vast and beautiful green meadow skirted by green forest. India Hikes group of about 16, including 4 ladies from Poland camped nearly.

  Next day started early morning and quickly crossed treeline and slowly gained height through the lush green Meadows.

 Sky was crystal clear bordered by Snow White peaks. Nandadevi, Dronagiri, Hati, Ghoda, Kamet, Nilkanth and Chowkhamba were dazzling on the backdrop of clear blue sky. About 6 km ascend through the stone paved track, ultimately we reached on the top of Kuaripass.

 A 360° view of Himalayan Panorama filled the heart with immense pleasure and satisfaction. I was amused to see a small kid of 8 years, daughter of a managerial staff of Indiahikes, was darting here and there to collect colorfull flowers vibrantly without any sign of exertion. After a dry lunch, we descended for about 6 kms walking on the narrow ridge of a grassy hilltop and went down inside a thick forest. to reach Tali Tal, our campsite.

. It was an exhausting trek and retired early evening. Next day ascended to Gorson Bugyal through a very narrow path. Green lush Bugyal with sheeps grazing, small lakes with water of different colors made the trek to forget all the hardness. After crossing a thick forest, Auli Bugyal with its famous artificial lake was sighted. Comfortably crossed the Bugyal and reached the front of GNVM rest house, where Ashish was waiting to receive us.

Trek to Madmaheswar in August last 2022

August is not a good time to visit Madmahesar. But as  we had to club three treks in one go,  end of August was chosen. For   we wanted to visit Valley of Flowers, there was  no other option . We considered last week of August to  get flowers and clear sky in VoF.  After  VoF, a good trek accomplished very successfully, we reached  Ranshi on 26 th August.  We had booked a room in Komal Hotel Ranshi ( height 6450’)  by phone on that day itself. We were a bit late in reaching Ranshi, for we opted to avail a share jeep , which is much cheaper for two persons. Full jeep asked for Rs. 700/- whereas we paid Rs.150/- for 2, but had to wait for about two hours to  jeep started after all 8 seats were full. Komal hotel proprietor , Mr.......   was very cooperative . he immediately prepared khichodi and served hot immediately after we refreshed. Our room was in the 1^st floor with a very scenic view of some snow-clad mountains and lush green valley. We spent the afternoon sitting on the Balcony and gazing at the green valley, Madmahewar river and snowclad mountains .. 

Next day, we started early for Upper Monsuna. Jeep is available upto Agtoli, 2 Km beyond Ranshi. A small budget Home stay is also available there.  ( Krishna Hotel & Homestay, Phone- 9012772132) One can stay here overnight and trek to Madmaheswar (13.6 kms) next day. We opted to trek that  2 kms without waiting for the jeep. Beyond Agtoli, the path is full of ups and downs, but not very challenging. Several water falls greeted us with roars and occasional rainbows  on the falls.

 It was about 11 AM when we reached Gaundar( 5500’). Ramesh Panwar, whom we contacted earlier,  greeted us at his roadside hotel with  Alu ka Paratha. He has also a lodge nearby, where I had stayed in 2001 during my visit to Madmaheswar. He contacted his wife at his another Hotel at Upper Bantoli (5840’). For our accommodation and Lunch.  Kailash Topurist lodge, Upper Bantoli ( phone- 09456729506). The trek path to lower Bantoli is almost smooth. This is where Ramaprasad Mukherjee had built an accommodation for trekkers from Bengal. It is a very serene and scenic

 

We ascended a little to reach upper Bantoli, where wife of Ramesh Panwar greeted us. The accommodation was good with modern amenities at a very cheap cost. We had our first Dal Rice wioth garden fresh Saag ( Radish leaves). Electricity was available upto  9 PM only, when Geyard can be used,  which was sufficient at this  remote area. . Next day we started very early and faced a stiff climb of 2.5 km upto  Khaddara Khaal  at 7.30AM (6800’). Had  a cup of nice fuming tea at Hotel Panchabati.  One can stay at this place in stead of Upper Bantoli. ( Sanjay Panwar, phone -9027299870). Another option  to stay at Khaddara Khal is Satish Hotel, a few steps  ahead.

  Beyond KhaddarKhaal, gradient of ascend was a bit tough, particularly for a man like me at the age of 72 years and having undergone bypass surgery of heart 20 years back. Covered a distance of about 2KMs and  reached Nanu Chati (7765’) at about 8.30 AM ,. Had breakfast at Priyanshu   Homestay, a very simple accommodation but majestic view of the mighty Himalayas from the front shade is quite breath taking.  Could not resist the  temptation to sit on the bench in front of the home-stay to gaze at the panoramic view in the soft morning sun for half an hour.

Beyond Nanu Chati, ascending was a bit easier.

 There is another Accommodation at Moukhamba ,1.6 km beyond Nanu Chati.  We  crossed Kun Chati (8825’)   after trekking a couple of KMs . Comfortably crossed another  2.75 kms to  have the first glimpse of Madmaheswar temple at about 2.45 PM.  

 There are a quite few simple accommodations  at Madmaheswar and it is allotted in a que system.  By turn, we got accommodation in the Mandir Comittee guest house.  It is a big accommodation with several rooms. Other smaller  accommodations are there like Shivalik Hotel ( Yasvant sing Panwar phone- 9410315757) at cheaper rates. Evening Arati was performed at 7 PM . Next morning, our plan to visit Buda Madmaheswar  (11300’) was washed away by rain. We could not take the risk of climbing about 1.5 km  of slippery  ascend. We offered Puja at about  7 AM and after breakfast, started descending

Cheated by Eassycart

 I placed an order for 1.25" Telescope Adaptor with mount (#143921) in Dec 2020. I paid Rs 1568/- It was to be supplied in 21 days. But they did not supply till July 2021. I requested to refund my paid advance . They are yet to pay back my money. Fraud company.

Trek to Rudrarnath in last of August

On August 27th, visited  Rudra

nath via Kunjaon, Tauli Tal, and Panar Bugyal, For in rainy season, faced leech bite while passing through the less used route via Binayak Khal (9300'), descending to Taulital (8500'). While crossing Panar bugyal  in the late afternoon, faced hailstorm on the top of Bugyal, drenched to the bones. Next day crossed Panchganga bugyal, a picturesque flower decorated grass ground to reach Rudranath in the noon, got free khichudi in the Bhandara. Next morning enjoyed sunrise, gave puja and started back to Panar Bugyal. Next morning,  most of the peaks were visible from Panar Bugyal, enjoyed the golden Sunrise and descended to Sagar village.

Distance from Kunjaun village to Tauli tal is about 7 Kms and to Panar Bugyal is another 4 Kms, so it's slightly more than the Sagar Panar route, but beauty of Tauli tal compensates the extra mileage. One can stay in the Forest rest house at Tauli Taal, if sleeping bag and a mat is taken with. is

Raja's Marriage

At last Raja found a sweet girl for marriage, on 20th.Jan 2014. We all had a nice time.

On the Roof of the World

 Roof of the World  

The Pamir Mountains are a mountain range in Central Asia formed by the junction or knot of the Himalayas, Tian Shan,Karakoram, Kunlun, and Hindu Kush ranges. They are among the world’s highest mountains, and since Victorian times, they have been known as the "Roof of the World", 

I had a secret desire of being there to enjoy being on the roof of the world. And only recently I got a glimse of the southern part of it, which is north to Leh, the Capital of Ladakh. I spent a few memorable days on the lap of Karakoram Ranges.

 In these days, I crossed the highest motorable road, ate in the worlds highest cafetaria, took a distant glimpse of the highest battlefield (Sia-Chen glacier), where Indian shoulders guard our border at an altitude of over 22000 ft. Mesmerizing beauty of  Pangong & Tso-Mariri are to be ever-last  in memory.

 

Nanhi Pari

Life Recycles. Malini & Anwesh got married three years ago. they are blessed with a sweet daughter on 12/2/13. She is growing up to join the cycle.