Day2: Cheeka-Juara-Ferpatthar
The second day of the Hampta Pass trek usually starts at Cheeka and ends at Balu Ka Gera. We had assumed the same thing. However, much later in the day, after we had set up camp and downed tea were we told that the place where we were was actually the Ferpatthar campsite and about 2 hours hike short of Balu Ka Gera. Since, this was early in the season, the campsite at Balu Ka Gera had not completely dried out and hence would not be ideal. In any case, none of us was complaining after the already long and sapping walk.
The day, as is the norm in the Himalayas, started early and most of us were up by 5:30am. I'd had a not-so-comfortable sleep after having been relegated to the side of the tent with the bags. I'd almost used the bags as a side-pillow during the night. A slight drizzle early in the morning receded and the day eventually cleared up. We put out our slightly wet shoes, clothes and rain-shets out to dry in the sharp sun.
A hearty breakfast of bread, jam, honey, omelettes and porridge followed. I skipped the porridge. The condition of Pritam's shoes had deteriorated and had to be fixed with Fevi Bond and Fevi Kwik as a temporary solution. Also, bags for a few of our group were deposited on mules for the days hike to reduce their strain. We set off at about 9am after the day's instructions by Dinesh, our guide. I was the last person to leave the camp-site.
Immediately after the campsite we had to negotiate a simple wooden drawbridge. The experience from Day1 proved handy in this case. The route quickly gained elevation along the right bank of the Allain Nala. Here we were passed by herds of sheep and goats brought by the local shepherds to cross over the Hampta Pass to Spiti - same as our route.
Tejal was facing trouble with the stiff hike and so we exchanged bags. Mine was the lighter one. This might have just marginally helped, for soon we had our first snow traverse. The snow was stale, and being on a regularly used path, had taken on a dull colour. The traverse was done without any issue. The elevation of the path eased on from here on.
Then came the big highlight of the day - crossing of an icy stream. The stream cascaded from a waterfall to our left to join the main branch of the Allain Nala on our right. The water was knee deep and icy cold. Hats off to the crew who put the rope and assisted in the crossings!
A 15-20 minutes walk from this crossing brought us to the Juara campsite where we had our pack lunch - plums, eggs and biscuits. The usable area at Juara is greater than that at Cheeka and hence it is also one of frequently used campsites on the route. By the time we left Juara, it was drizzling once again. The rain played on and off till we reached the Ferpatthar.
My pants, socks and shoes were partially wet due to the days happenings and then I'd to wait for the greater part of an hour for my bag to reappear. This was probably the last time I'd be swapping my bags with someone.
The campsite at Ferpatthar is - like Juara - very spaced out with easy slopes. Th campsite is called such due to the abundance of boulders that surround the campsite.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing by the nala and cursing the weather - dull and drizzle. A game of uno followed in the bigger tent and post dinner everyone was off to a peaceful sleep. All except Pritam, for his shoes were badly damaged and if no solution was found, he'd have to descend to Manali the next day itself without attempting the Hampta Pass. Fingers crossed ...
- Kapil Pilankar
The second day of the Hampta Pass trek usually starts at Cheeka and ends at Balu Ka Gera. We had assumed the same thing. However, much later in the day, after we had set up camp and downed tea were we told that the place where we were was actually the Ferpatthar campsite and about 2 hours hike short of Balu Ka Gera. Since, this was early in the season, the campsite at Balu Ka Gera had not completely dried out and hence would not be ideal. In any case, none of us was complaining after the already long and sapping walk.
The day, as is the norm in the Himalayas, started early and most of us were up by 5:30am. I'd had a not-so-comfortable sleep after having been relegated to the side of the tent with the bags. I'd almost used the bags as a side-pillow during the night. A slight drizzle early in the morning receded and the day eventually cleared up. We put out our slightly wet shoes, clothes and rain-shets out to dry in the sharp sun.
At the breakfast rock
L-R: Mayank, Sarita, Shivani, Sandhya, Pritam, Gauri
Uninterested: Tejal
PC: Arpit Shah
A hearty breakfast of bread, jam, honey, omelettes and porridge followed. I skipped the porridge. The condition of Pritam's shoes had deteriorated and had to be fixed with Fevi Bond and Fevi Kwik as a temporary solution. Also, bags for a few of our group were deposited on mules for the days hike to reduce their strain. We set off at about 9am after the day's instructions by Dinesh, our guide. I was the last person to leave the camp-site.
The route, Purvi & Charuta in the foreground
PC: Arpit Shah
Immediately after the campsite we had to negotiate a simple wooden drawbridge. The experience from Day1 proved handy in this case. The route quickly gained elevation along the right bank of the Allain Nala. Here we were passed by herds of sheep and goats brought by the local shepherds to cross over the Hampta Pass to Spiti - same as our route.
The sturdy Capris
PC: Sandhya Bhatre
Tejal was facing trouble with the stiff hike and so we exchanged bags. Mine was the lighter one. This might have just marginally helped, for soon we had our first snow traverse. The snow was stale, and being on a regularly used path, had taken on a dull colour. The traverse was done without any issue. The elevation of the path eased on from here on.
The "snow"
PC: Arpit Shah
Then came the big highlight of the day - crossing of an icy stream. The stream cascaded from a waterfall to our left to join the main branch of the Allain Nala on our right. The water was knee deep and icy cold. Hats off to the crew who put the rope and assisted in the crossings!
The Dreaded Crossing
VC: Arpit Shah
A 15-20 minutes walk from this crossing brought us to the Juara campsite where we had our pack lunch - plums, eggs and biscuits. The usable area at Juara is greater than that at Cheeka and hence it is also one of frequently used campsites on the route. By the time we left Juara, it was drizzling once again. The rain played on and off till we reached the Ferpatthar.
The view from the campsite
PC: Sandhya Bhatre
My pants, socks and shoes were partially wet due to the days happenings and then I'd to wait for the greater part of an hour for my bag to reappear. This was probably the last time I'd be swapping my bags with someone.
The campsite at Ferpatthar is - like Juara - very spaced out with easy slopes. Th campsite is called such due to the abundance of boulders that surround the campsite.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing by the nala and cursing the weather - dull and drizzle. A game of uno followed in the bigger tent and post dinner everyone was off to a peaceful sleep. All except Pritam, for his shoes were badly damaged and if no solution was found, he'd have to descend to Manali the next day itself without attempting the Hampta Pass. Fingers crossed ...
- Kapil Pilankar
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