Mask Group took its first steps into the Himalayas under the guidance and management of YHAI through its National Level Sar Pass Trek; part of the SP-14 batch in 2013. Mayank, Arpit, Sandhya, Avinash, Aakash, Jay and Sneha spent some astounding days there.
I had missed out then at the last moment due to work commitments. I spent that entire period sulking and just managed a consolation backpacking trip to Devgad-Kunkeshwar over the weekend. Not as lofty as the Himalayas, but serene nonetheless.
A year later, just after the event at Phansad, Arpit and Sandhya came up with the plan to Join YHAI's Chanderkhani Pass Trek in May. This, like last year's Sar Pass trek, needed a leave of about 10 days which most of us could not manage: Mayank was newlywed in late Jan and had taken an obvious long leave then; I had recently switched jobs and was still on probation. Others had similar reasons. However, everyone wanted to do it. Or, maybe, at least one Himalayan in May. It was simple - we HAD to do it!
A quick lookup showed that the Chanderkhani Trek was possible in 3-4 days if privately managed. This meant arranging a guide, crew and supplies locally or lugging everything on our backs all the way from Mumbai. The second option was definitely not feasible. Another search popped up the name of Mr. Budhi Singh who worked as a guide near Manali. The name was backed up by enough positive reports to warrant a call. We confirmed his availability, the approximate rates and the list of services he would provide. He confirmed that we would only need to manage ourselves and he could take care of the rest - the food, crew, logistics, equipments, etc. Perfect! We had our first Independent Himalayan Trek on our hands!
Another round of discussions followed. We did not want to make our first independent Himalayan a toughie. Chanderkhani Pass is known to have some difficult climbs on loose rocks which we felt could be a bit hazardous for a possibly inexperienced team. Another set of options was searched - this time in conjunction and consultation with Mr. Budhi Singh - and we narrowed down on Beas Kund.
Beas Kund is a small lake at the mouth of a glacier and is the source of the Beas River. The lake and, by extension, the river derive its name from a local misnomer of Ved Vyas who was said to have meditated here. The place is surrounded by majestic peaks on three sides and opens up to the Beas Valley on the fourth. This valley acts as the access to the lake and the loftier peak of Hanuman Tibba beyond.
The Beak Kund Trek was to last a total of four days. An additional side-trip to Amritsar was added. The final plan was hatched with the following itinerary:
Day0: 16th May, Friday
Depart from Mumbai to Delhi in Duronto Express at 2330hrs
Day1: 17th May, Saturday
Arrive in New Delhi by 1630hrs
Board the bus to Manali by 1730hrs
Day2: 18th May, Sunday
Arrive in Manali by 0800hrs
Meetup and discuss with Mr. Budhi Singh
Spend the day acclimatizing and shopping for any pending stuff
Day3: 19th May, Monday
Trek Starts
Depart early morning to Dhundi via Solang Nalla
Trek from Dhundi to Bakhar Thatch
Spend the night in overnight camp at Bakhar Thatch
Day4: 20th May, Tuesday
Trek from Bakhar Thatch to Beas Kund
Spend the night in overnight camp at Beas Kund
Day5: 21th May, Wednesday
Return trek from Beas Kund to Bakhar Thatch
Spend the night in overnight camp at Bakhar Thatch
Day6: 22nd May, Thursday
Return trek to Dhundi
Transfer to Manali
Side trip to nearby places if time permits
Day7: 23rd May, Friday
Early departure for Amritsar
Late evening arrival at Amritsar
Day8: 24th May, Saturday
Siteseeing around Amritsar for half a day
Proceed to Delhi by 1130hrs in Sarayu Yamuna Express
Arrive in Delhi by 2000hrs
Depart for Mumbai from Delhi by 2330hrs in Duronto Express
Day9: 25th May, Sunday
Arrive in Mumbai by 1700hrs
The train bookings and hotel reservations were accordingly done. Shopping was managed in bits and pieces according to stock and our avaialbility. By first week of May almost everything was set and the excitement was reaching the peaks - literally, the countdown had begun!
And then on Wednesday, 14th May, two days before our scheduled departure, Mr. Budhi Singh called in with some bad news - heavy snowfall had made the trek to Beas Kund almost out-of-bounds for the next one month. Their personal recce the day before was largely unsucessful from our point of view. However, we were assured that the trek would go on. No, not Beas Kund, but some other route. A local one perhaps. The detailed discussion would happen ow on Sunday at Manali. This bit of information was known to only few members of the group - me, Mayank, Arpit and Sandhya.
Anyways, most of the motley group assembled at the Mumbai Central Railway Station by 2230hrs. I had managed to reach Borivali by then; I was running a bit late at the start and a late local train services delayed me further by 20 mins. In the end I reached the station by 2320hrs; just 10mins before the scheduled departure.
Everyone, as expected, was in high spirits for Beas Kund while all I could manage was a silent "lol"...
Photo credits (non Google) - Arpit Shah
- Kapil Pilankar
Sar-Passed!
L-R: Sneha, Jay, Aakash, Mayank, Sandhya, Avinash
Behind the camera: Arpit Shah
YHAI's Sar Pass - In Action
Kunkeshwar Temple and Beach
Source - Google
A year later, just after the event at Phansad, Arpit and Sandhya came up with the plan to Join YHAI's Chanderkhani Pass Trek in May. This, like last year's Sar Pass trek, needed a leave of about 10 days which most of us could not manage: Mayank was newlywed in late Jan and had taken an obvious long leave then; I had recently switched jobs and was still on probation. Others had similar reasons. However, everyone wanted to do it. Or, maybe, at least one Himalayan in May. It was simple - we HAD to do it!
Chanderkhani Pass - Late Summer
Source - Google
A quick lookup showed that the Chanderkhani Trek was possible in 3-4 days if privately managed. This meant arranging a guide, crew and supplies locally or lugging everything on our backs all the way from Mumbai. The second option was definitely not feasible. Another search popped up the name of Mr. Budhi Singh who worked as a guide near Manali. The name was backed up by enough positive reports to warrant a call. We confirmed his availability, the approximate rates and the list of services he would provide. He confirmed that we would only need to manage ourselves and he could take care of the rest - the food, crew, logistics, equipments, etc. Perfect! We had our first Independent Himalayan Trek on our hands!
Another round of discussions followed. We did not want to make our first independent Himalayan a toughie. Chanderkhani Pass is known to have some difficult climbs on loose rocks which we felt could be a bit hazardous for a possibly inexperienced team. Another set of options was searched - this time in conjunction and consultation with Mr. Budhi Singh - and we narrowed down on Beas Kund.
Beas Kund is a small lake at the mouth of a glacier and is the source of the Beas River. The lake and, by extension, the river derive its name from a local misnomer of Ved Vyas who was said to have meditated here. The place is surrounded by majestic peaks on three sides and opens up to the Beas Valley on the fourth. This valley acts as the access to the lake and the loftier peak of Hanuman Tibba beyond.
Beas Kund - Late Summer
Source - Google
The Beak Kund Trek was to last a total of four days. An additional side-trip to Amritsar was added. The final plan was hatched with the following itinerary:
Day0: 16th May, Friday
Depart from Mumbai to Delhi in Duronto Express at 2330hrs
Day1: 17th May, Saturday
Arrive in New Delhi by 1630hrs
Board the bus to Manali by 1730hrs
Day2: 18th May, Sunday
Arrive in Manali by 0800hrs
Meetup and discuss with Mr. Budhi Singh
Spend the day acclimatizing and shopping for any pending stuff
Day3: 19th May, Monday
Trek Starts
Depart early morning to Dhundi via Solang Nalla
Trek from Dhundi to Bakhar Thatch
Spend the night in overnight camp at Bakhar Thatch
Day4: 20th May, Tuesday
Trek from Bakhar Thatch to Beas Kund
Spend the night in overnight camp at Beas Kund
Day5: 21th May, Wednesday
Return trek from Beas Kund to Bakhar Thatch
Spend the night in overnight camp at Bakhar Thatch
Day6: 22nd May, Thursday
Return trek to Dhundi
Transfer to Manali
Side trip to nearby places if time permits
Day7: 23rd May, Friday
Early departure for Amritsar
Late evening arrival at Amritsar
Day8: 24th May, Saturday
Siteseeing around Amritsar for half a day
Proceed to Delhi by 1130hrs in Sarayu Yamuna Express
Arrive in Delhi by 2000hrs
Depart for Mumbai from Delhi by 2330hrs in Duronto Express
Day9: 25th May, Sunday
Arrive in Mumbai by 1700hrs
The train bookings and hotel reservations were accordingly done. Shopping was managed in bits and pieces according to stock and our avaialbility. By first week of May almost everything was set and the excitement was reaching the peaks - literally, the countdown had begun!
And then on Wednesday, 14th May, two days before our scheduled departure, Mr. Budhi Singh called in with some bad news - heavy snowfall had made the trek to Beas Kund almost out-of-bounds for the next one month. Their personal recce the day before was largely unsucessful from our point of view. However, we were assured that the trek would go on. No, not Beas Kund, but some other route. A local one perhaps. The detailed discussion would happen ow on Sunday at Manali. This bit of information was known to only few members of the group - me, Mayank, Arpit and Sandhya.
Anyways, most of the motley group assembled at the Mumbai Central Railway Station by 2230hrs. I had managed to reach Borivali by then; I was running a bit late at the start and a late local train services delayed me further by 20 mins. In the end I reached the station by 2320hrs; just 10mins before the scheduled departure.
A partial group pic :(
L-R: Arpit, me, Mayank, Sarita, Tejal
Crouched, front: Pritam
Behind the camera: Sandhya
Missing: Krunal ,Raunak, Anmol, Chinmay
Missing: Krunal ,Raunak, Anmol, Chinmay
Everyone, as expected, was in high spirits for Beas Kund while all I could manage was a silent "lol"...
Photo credits (non Google) - Arpit Shah
- Kapil Pilankar
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