HIGH ALTITUDE TREKKING EXPEDITION TO THE VALLEY OF FLOWERS, HEMKUND AND VASUDHARA FALLS
FROM 14th TO 31st AUGUST 2004

Leader's report

A Team of 8 members including myself left Bangalore on the eve of Independence Day i.e. on 14th August 2004 by Karnataka Express to New Delhi for a High Altitude Trekking Expedition to the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund in Garhwal Himalayas. After two days train journey, we reached New Delhi and from there we moved to Old Delhi to board a train to Haridwar.

We reached Haridwar on 17th August 2004 in the early morning. Another team member joined us at Haridwar and team strength increased to 9 members. Immediately all members checked into a 'Math' near Bolenath Temple in Haridwar. In the meantime, I enquired with a travel agent about the road condition towards Joshimath, since it was raining in the town and surrounding places. I was informed that the road uphill is in a bad condition due to heavy rains and frequent landslides in the mountains and it was confirmed that the landslide near Peeplekutti village en-route Joshimath was been cleared and we were advised to move quickly towards Joshimath. Therefore, we hired a vehicle and started our journey soon after our breakfast.

The journey of 250 KMs. to Joshimath was tedious and risky due to rains and we had to pass through landslide-prone areas. Landslide at Peeplekutti village was cleared and vehicles were allowed to pass through but about a stretch of 2 -3 Kms, the road was slushy and very dangerous to drive on such slippery road. With all those difficulties, we reached Joshimath in the night at 7.30 p.m. It was raining and we immediately checked into Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam's guesthouse. After the dinner, we enquired about our onward journey to Govind Ghat. We were informed that there were landslides at two different places, hence the route could not be covered in one journey.

Next morning i.e. on 18th August 2004 after breakfast, we hired a jeep up to the first landslide point and we crossed over the landslide debris on foot and reached other side of the road and got into another jeep till next landslide area. We were not allowed even to cross over the debris since it was very dangerous; hence we had to climb a hill for about 45 minutes and then reached the other side of the road. From there we boarded a local bus to Govind Ghat and reached at 3 O'clock. We checked into a small hotel. In the evening, all of us went for acclimatisation walk for about half an hour and returned back. After the dinner, I briefed the team about next day's programme and asked all team members to make their rucksacks as light as possible because next day's trekking was 14 kilometers with gradual ascent to Gangaria. I also made arrangements for a porter to carry our extra luggage.

On 19th August 2004 after breakfast we started trekking towards Gangaria. It was drizzling whole day. Soon after we reached Gangaria at 2.30 p.m. we checked into a hotel. After the lunch, at 5 O'clock we went for a slide-show on the Valley of Flowers organised by Forest Department. The slide-show was very informative and educative.

We also had interaction with Forest officials about the measures taken to dispose of plastic in the area. They informed us that persons have been appointed to pick up the plastic garbage in the valley along the trail. The plastic and other non-biodegradable items are collected and send it periodically to Haridwar for further disposal. We shared our observation and experiences and also highlighted our Organisation's concern about the situation prevalent. They appreciated our views and ideas.

Next morning (20/8/2004) after our breakfast and carrying a packed afternoon lunch we started our trek to the Valley of Flowers. At the entrance we had to pay fees of Rs.40/- each. The path to the valley of flowers was neatly laid. We trekked about six kilometers inside the valley. The flowers were beautiful and meadows are spectacular with carpet of flowers. It was amazing scene. Of course, there was frequent drizzling throughout the way. After spending enough time in the valley, we returned back to Gangaria.

Soon after dinner, I briefed our team members about next day's high altitude trekking to Hemkund. Since we are climbing from an altitude of 3048 Mts. to 4329 Mts. at Hemkund and as we had four First timers to the Himalayas and one aged team member, the team was briefed on the symptoms of High Altitude Sickness, the precautions to be taken. The route was also explained in detail.

On 21st August 2004, after breakfast, we left Gangaria at 6 O'clock to Hemkund. I started trekking with my pace of climbing and reached Hemkund at 9 O'clock. Thereafter, with a gap of one and half-hour time, everyone reached Hemkund successfully without any problem. We spent nearly an hour, and then started our descent to Gangaria. At 3 O'clock, all members returned. In the evening I informed the group that we will be leaving Gangaria the next morning, though it was mentioned in the schedule as 'rest day'. ( the weather condition is not conducive.)

Next day (22nd August 2004), after breakfast, all of us started trekking leisurely, towards Govind Ghat at 7.15 a.m. After four hours trekking, everyone reached Govind Ghat at 11.15 a.m. and further proceeded towards road -head to catch a vehicle to Badrinath. Again it was informed by the locals that en-route there is a landslide hence no vehicle will ply directly to Badrinath. So we engaged a jeep till that point and crossed over by foot to other side of the road and took another jeep to Badrinath. We reached Badrinath at 1.30 p.m. and checked into Ananth Math. The team members were then given free time to visit one of the four Hindu Pilgrimage centers in Garhwal Himalayas. Some team members took a dip in holly hot-water spring. Everyone visited the famous Badrinath Temple and had darshan to their satisfaction.

On 23rd August 2004, six of us trekked to Mana, last village near Indo-China border. It was 5 kilometers enjoyable trek. We visited some of the historic temples in Mana village and returned back to Badrinath. We could not go to Vasudhara falls, since it started raining. Everyone spent precious time in the holy place - Badrinath.

Next day (24th August 2004), we left Badrinath by jeep up to landslide point and from there to Joshimath. We reached Joshimath in the noon stayed in Shankar Math.

On 25th August 2004, we left Joshimath at 9.30 a.m. and it was informed that the road near Pathalagange village is closed because of landslide. However, we hired a taxi to Rishikesh and proceeded. At 12.00 we reached near the landslide point and to our surprise after two and a half hours work, GRIF personnel, who were working day and night to clear that landslide for the past two days, had succeeded in clearing the road, as it was sunny day. The vehicles were allowed to pass through towards Rishikesh. We reached Rishikesh in the mid-night and checked in to Andhra Math.

Next Day (26/8/2004) we visited Haridwar, and other places of interest and returned back to Rishikesh and took rest.

On 27th August 2004, we explored the other places of interest in and around Rishikesh.

On 28th August 2004, we boarded a train from Haridwar at 10.30 p.m. to Delhi.

Next day (29/8/2004), we reached Delhi and from there we moved to New Delhi and got into Karnataka Express at 9.15 p.m.

We reached Bangalore, after two days journey, on 31st August 2004 at 2.00 p.m.

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