Kedarnath Door Opening Ceremony 2015 – Part 1

 I was sure that once I would go to Kedarnath Temple for its Door Opening Ceremony as in winter temple close for six months and open in summer for another six months. Opening and closing the door of temple has a big ceremony.  This time opening ceremony is on 24^th April 2015…

To add new experiences I am going via long root so I start early morning of 20^th. It’s raining since night and I went to bus stand in drizzle and storm. I went to Bhowali and now I will get bus for Chamoli, which is almost 12-13 hours journey. I was thinking I would get bus easily but after long wait I get jam packed bus. My luxury seat sit is on passenger’s suitcase. Bus move little forward when driver stop and says– I cannot drive coz bus has been air lock. Driver and mechanic did best effort but result is zero. Conductor said – take other bus. I tell him – you should arrange bus for us? He has no reply and I have no time so I took bag pack and move off. After half-n-hour, I get bus till Dwarahaat. Now this journey is going to be adventures. In packed bus, I get luxury seat near engine, which is burning like fireplace... 

Women sitting in front seats are going Ranikhet to attend marriage. One of them is showing her gold jewelry and gaudy Sari to her friends and says – my husband bought for marriage. Until Ranikhet she talk nonstop. In Ranikhet When they off I had two reasons to get happy. First, I got seat second, I get rid of their talks. This is I called luxury. Due to road construction work, bus trapped in traffic for 2 hours in places where no beautiful scenario no greenery. Fume of charcoal, hovering dust and scorching temperature making this place more tiresome.  Men are out and women engage in nonstop chattering. I reach Dwarahaat next 2 hours. Dwarahaat is a small but historical place, which is famous for numerous natural water recourses which locally known as Naula. I saw some beautifully designed Naula and temples from bus. However, many of them have been destroyed now told me by shopkeeper whom I ask bus for Chamoli…

 After 20 minutes, I get bus. No doubt big relief for me. Atleast now I will reach my destination. Scenario has changed dramatically.  All become green with balance temperature. I can see huge paddy fields but mostly paddy crops have been destroy by untimely heavy rain. I am indulging in it but suddenly driver announces that he will go to Gairsain not Chamoli. I ask him with shock – why not you are going Chamoli when all passengers have to go to Chamoli ? Four other passengers also accompany me but driver is irritating character. He is not listening any of us. No idea what will come next? This journey is full of shocks and surprises. I again indulge in ribbon like River Ramganga and vast valley. Road is going between this vast valley. I can see women cutting crops, Children catching fish, Men working in shops.  In one stoppage newly married couple came into bus. Seems groom is going to bride’s house first time. He stops bus in shop and when he back his hands were full with sweet boxes and bride’s face delighting. Both are chatting loudly in their regional dialect…

It is dark, cold and vast valley has vanished. Through a narrow road, I reach Gairsain. Driver drop us and went off. This is disgusting. I am alone in this unknown place. Same time an old couple come with their son and asks if I am I going to Chamoli? I shake my head in yes. Old man advised for taxi. I agreed but taxi guy ask for double charges.  I decide to stay here so inquire for hotel in station shop. Who told me I could get hotel in market. I entered into market and went into first hotel I saw. Room is absolutely nonsense but I don’t want to go anywhere else so I hire room without any argument and went for dinner. I am tired I am hungry I am sleepy and badly exhausted by this adventures journey. After finish decent dinner, I back to room through the road, which is full with dirt and garbage. I lie down. Middle in the night I heard bike horn seems young guys doing bike stunts on road which goes till half n hour…

 Morning 4.30. I came out.  Except street dogs, all are in lap of deep silence. Around 5 I came to road. Few morning walkers appeared on road and sound of vehicle break the silence. Now I will straight go to Rudraprayg. From station I take a look to the town. After 15 minutes, I get bus and good seat both. I hope today my journey would be more comfortable and less shocking. Gairsian is beautiful and People should take market clean. Anyways it is cold and green is all over…

 Continue… 

Winter Deo Tibba (6001 meter) Expedition – Part 3

 Morning Mahesh Bhai wake up me with cup of tea. After finishing tea I came out it’s still cold and shivering. I went to fire finish breakfast and get ready to trek. Today trek is going to be long and tough. Me and Monty start together but soon he went away from me so I become alone again. Though it’s sunny day but rays are on mountain only valley is struggling for it. As I move up sun come close and become warm and comfortable. Trek is steep upward and rocky which is making it more strenuous. Jagtsuk River is flowing below but in most places it has been frozen…

Monty is top on the ridge when I will reach there he will start again. I am walking with my pace and enjoying silence. After 2 hours walk when I reach to Monty he said – This is good place for rest. I drink water from small creek flowing there. I deeply watch the design of mountains and stones. I found that they resemble with snakes. I ask to Monty. He replies in his low voice – You are right. This whole area is dedicated to snakes and snakes are main deity. Though, I haven’t seen any living snakes here. I want to know story behind this but Monty could not tell me and keep silent…

We start again. Trek is becoming tough coz ascend is getting steep and rocky. As Monty is far from me so I miss the trek 2-3 times but luckily find right direction. Weather is now hot and I can hear the roaring voice of Jagatsuk River which is breaking my silence. Anyways after 2 hrs steep ascend time for to rest and Monty is waiting for me at rest point. He said – Take short break after this trek is going very tough. Monty again becomes quite and I also indulge in beauty of valley with roaring sound of Jagatsuk…

After crossing one steep ascend everything changed. Here it’s no sun and it becomes bone chilled cold. Trek root is covering with snow. Jagatusk River and waterfalls are also frozen. I am shivering but sun is on the top of mountains. I trek almost two hours then reach to camp site…

 Frosty temperature and fast chilly winds are making me shaking. I am not even able to talk properly so I sit quietly in front of frozen Jagatsuk.  I wear one more layer then Monty and me went to sunny side which is upward. Sunlight is shifting position continuously and so as I. I start chasing the sun and soon it become play for me. By the time my other team mate reach there and set up camp…

I wrap myself into sleeping bag. Mahesh Bhai gives me tea and maggi which is big treat this time. In evening bare mountains and snow peaks turns into red. In few part or river where water is not frozen I can see the reflection of snow clad peaks. I wish I could spend more time watching these serene beauty but chilly winds are not in mood to allowing me this pleasure. I click few pictures and curl up in tent again. Soon I finish my dinner and went to sleep…

Morning it was cloudy all over. Seems it could be snow which is not good and safe for us. Me, Monty and Mahesh Bhai decide that we will wait for clear sky then only we will go further. It is more chilly and windy then yesterday. Jagatusk River has been completely frozen. There is no sign of flowing water. I roam around for warm up but sky is still not clear…

Around 10 AM sky gives us few sign of relaxation and so we move to base camp one. When I walk forward I saw I big pond which has been frozen and shining like thick glass. I went on it and start running. Monty and Mahesh Bhai also join me and we have a great fun which gave us little relief from weather. Crossing pond, field and jagatsuk now the real trek start which is in 90 degree ascend with full of snow. We are using snow shoes, crampon and ice axe. Though sky blue but full of chips sort of small clouds…

Monty is again walking before so I am walking alone. Clouds are giving beautiful landscapes but threatening too. Ascend is exhausting with almost 4000 meter altitude. We take rest in two places. Valley is looking combo of white and brown from upward. Anyways after one steeper ascend we reached to base camp. Weather becomes cloudier, chilled and snowy. Jagatsuk River is look like white ribbon which is going from one end to another. This is reminding me my Chadar Trek in Leh so I walk on it. All is cover under the white blanket and sky turns into deep gray. After some more fun we move to base camp one which is long but plain walk…

When we reach base camp one it’s horribly cold and windy. Temperature is minus in day time. Clouds are getting thick, dark and scary. Cooking is not possible so we eat chocolate and maggi. In night me, Monty, Mahesh Bhai and helper Harish decide to stay in one kitchen tent. Middle of the night I heard whisper on tent roof. It was hailstone outside. We are in big danger now…

We are waiting for morning. Hailstorms stops after 1 hour and it is snowing slowly. Scenario has been changed by morning. Our tent was covered with snow and still weather is not good. Yesterday we decided to locate the position to fix rope but now it is not at all possible. As a trek leader Monty decide that we are not going to summit and we will go back and cover complete trek in one day…

I have nothing to argue so I carry my sack look at the Deo Tibba Peak with wet eyes and turn back. I am not happy but satisfied that it was not my fault if weather is not in our favor. Trekking down is now more risky and chilly. It became warm when we reach our first camp site but Deo Tibba Peak is still covered with clouds. Anyways after reaching Jagatsuk Village we call the taxi and back to Manali…

End