Day3: Ferpatthar-Balu Ka Gera-Hampta Pass-Shia Goru (Part 1 of 3)
It was a gloomy morning on the third day of the trek. The weather had not improved one bit. Not one member from out team was out of their tents that morning, even after 7am. In a quick conference with Dinesh, it was decided that if the weather did not improve by 9am, then we would drop the planned ascent and the subsequent crossing of the Hampta Pass and descend all the way to Jobri.
Pritam had by this time all but resigned to the fact that he would have to return from that point itself due to the sore condition of his shoes. What we did not know was that Dinesh and Roshan had literally foraged the adjoining campsites for any material that would help to fix the shoes. Eventually, the left over Fevibond , some duct tape sourced from other camp and some cotton sling which I was carrying were used to prepare a set that, with luck, would last the day.
Luck shone from another direction too. The weather started clearing up sometime after 8am and we were told to be ready for departure ASAP, lest the weather turn sour again. Pritam took some time to prepare himself – first mentally, then the actual physical preparations – when he realized that he will also be making a summit attempt.
Five members of our team of sixteen had chosen to offload their luggage on the horses today. Others also partially offloaded. The least offloaded person, it seems, was Arpit due to his preparations for the HMI training course. We started shortly after with me being the last person to leave the campsite – again.
Our trail for the day immediately headed into snow and then alternated with grassy knolls and boulders. After about two hours into the day, we reached the actual Balu ka Gera campsite. Balu here refers to sand – not to be confused with ‘bhalu’ or bear. This campsite is an expanse of sandy plain divided into two by a tapered lake. The upper reaches of the hillock by the campsite was the only dry spot and we took a break here. The weather was now overcast, but thankfully the rains were away. From here on it was to be a stiff ascent to Hampta Pass top.
Our first steep ascent through the snow was punctuated by a steep rocky ascent at its peak. The weather had started to deteriorate led by a drizzle with a mild breeze. The goat-herds overtook us here and assured (?) us that there was still a long way to go. The group had by now split into two distinct groups lead by Dinesh and Roshan respectively. Dinesh’s group included Shivani and Shakeel at the lead, me and Arpit floating and the rest in the middle. Roshan’s group included Sony, Tejal and Pritam, all of whom were somewhat struggling at the rear and were mostly beyond our eyesight for most of the ascent after Balu ka Gera.
Today was expected to be a long day. A total distance of about 11.5km and a stiff climb. This day typically takes about 8-10 hours. We had been walking for about 4 hours now, yet were nowhere in sight of the actual Hampta Pass. We were tiring and the weather was alternating between good and bad. Mentally, this would be a killer.
... to be continued in Part 2
© Kapil Pilankar
It was a gloomy morning on the third day of the trek. The weather had not improved one bit. Not one member from out team was out of their tents that morning, even after 7am. In a quick conference with Dinesh, it was decided that if the weather did not improve by 9am, then we would drop the planned ascent and the subsequent crossing of the Hampta Pass and descend all the way to Jobri.
A gloomy start
PC: Arpit Shah
Pritam had by this time all but resigned to the fact that he would have to return from that point itself due to the sore condition of his shoes. What we did not know was that Dinesh and Roshan had literally foraged the adjoining campsites for any material that would help to fix the shoes. Eventually, the left over Fevibond , some duct tape sourced from other camp and some cotton sling which I was carrying were used to prepare a set that, with luck, would last the day.
Goody Two Shoes
PC: Arpit Shah
Luck shone from another direction too. The weather started clearing up sometime after 8am and we were told to be ready for departure ASAP, lest the weather turn sour again. Pritam took some time to prepare himself – first mentally, then the actual physical preparations – when he realized that he will also be making a summit attempt.
Five members of our team of sixteen had chosen to offload their luggage on the horses today. Others also partially offloaded. The least offloaded person, it seems, was Arpit due to his preparations for the HMI training course. We started shortly after with me being the last person to leave the campsite – again.
The initial ascent
PC: Sandhya Bhatre
Our trail for the day immediately headed into snow and then alternated with grassy knolls and boulders. After about two hours into the day, we reached the actual Balu ka Gera campsite. Balu here refers to sand – not to be confused with ‘bhalu’ or bear. This campsite is an expanse of sandy plain divided into two by a tapered lake. The upper reaches of the hillock by the campsite was the only dry spot and we took a break here. The weather was now overcast, but thankfully the rains were away. From here on it was to be a stiff ascent to Hampta Pass top.
Balu Ka Gera
PC: Arpit Shah
Our first steep ascent through the snow was punctuated by a steep rocky ascent at its peak. The weather had started to deteriorate led by a drizzle with a mild breeze. The goat-herds overtook us here and assured (?) us that there was still a long way to go. The group had by now split into two distinct groups lead by Dinesh and Roshan respectively. Dinesh’s group included Shivani and Shakeel at the lead, me and Arpit floating and the rest in the middle. Roshan’s group included Sony, Tejal and Pritam, all of whom were somewhat struggling at the rear and were mostly beyond our eyesight for most of the ascent after Balu ka Gera.
Just beyond Balu Ka Gera
PC: Arpit Shah
Today was expected to be a long day. A total distance of about 11.5km and a stiff climb. This day typically takes about 8-10 hours. We had been walking for about 4 hours now, yet were nowhere in sight of the actual Hampta Pass. We were tiring and the weather was alternating between good and bad. Mentally, this would be a killer.
... to be continued in Part 2
© Kapil Pilankar
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ReplyDeleteHampta Pass, known for its spectacular trekking expedition and naturalistic backdrops. The snow-clad mountains look majestic and enchanting at the same time.
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