Snow Trek to Tunganath, Climbing Up | Revisiting Uttarakhand

The Journey so far-

• A drive to Deoria Tal | Revisiting Uttarakhand
• Reflections in Deoria Tal | Revisiting Uttarakhand
• Deoria Tal to Ukhimath | Revisiting Uttarakhand

It was 6 AM and we all were out of the room and all set to go. Umeid (cook) had prepared the lunch for us already and Umeid (guide) had refilled the 6 water bottles. The hired taxi was also present and we quickly ordered a cup of tea each. The morning was cold and tea helped us beat it to some extent. We knew that the road till Baniya Kund, a KM ahead of Duggalbitta had been opened but after that only hope is the MUV and we wanted to preserve as much energy as possible for main part of the trek. This was the reason we had hired the taxi. The road to Duggalbitta or Chopta from Ukhimath is smooth which enabled us make quick progress towards Baniya Kund. The route to Chopta from Ukhimath is extremely scenic topped with lots of flora and fauna. We saw amazing species of birds on the way to Chopta and there was no shortage of them at any curve. I guess early soothing morning was the reason for it. Finally, at 7.20 AM we reached Baniya Kund and after that the taxi could climb 200 meters only overlooking a long snow bed… This led us to an abrupt stop and we knew from here we had to trek ahead till Tunganath, which meant 2 KMs of extra trek one way …

Can you feel the snow…

As soon as we were out of the taxi, there was an extreme need of gloves because the cold wind was making the fingers numb. The driver took the U-turn towards Ukhimath and promised to meet at the same point around 4 PM in the evening. Completely packed we marched ahead with Umeid leading the way… Snow could be seen all around and boys were happy to feel it. Our first target was to reach Chopta and if the dhabhas were open, have a cup of tea there but first we had to trek about 2 KMs to reach Chopta … We kept walking at a decent pace and kept shooting pictures wherever we liked. The levels of snow and cold was also increasing with ever step we took but we were enjoying it due to warmth in our body… Soon the sweat was flowing all over the woolen cap and inside too.

Drop Point…

Even taxi cannot cross this…

Time to feel the snow…

Still a long way…

Pretty clear what they are doing…

Its nearing… Snow is in tons

Anyways, slowly and steadily we managed to reach Chopta without much of an exhaustion as the energy level still seemed to be on higher side. Chopta is the base point from where the trek to Tunganath starts which is about 3.5 to 4 KMs in length. The snow had considerably increased over the altitude and Chopta was completely into it. The dhabhas have opened that very day only because the road to Chopta from Gopeshwar side had opened last day (ahh lucky )… We had a cup of tea, Maggie and Parle-G biscuits to maintain the energy levels for a long time in the day ahead. Meantime, I got some opportunity to click the pictures of snow covered Chopta. The snow was still more than 1.5 feet at some places and we were only imagining what we are expecting ahead about 3.5-4 KMs from Chopta at Tunganath … Soon it was time to taste the meat of the trip i.e. snow trek to Tunganath…

Local Dhabha…

Can you feel the snow…

The trek starts here…

Didn’t know that we won’t find any other place to relax the a** …

People had warned us about the level of snow and to be very cautious. They also warned us to return from the point where we feel uncomfortable but so far we were determined. So, far only one group had reached the Tunganath this season and that too well before the continuous snowfall which lasted couple of previous weeks. So, we have to expect much more snow than what that group tackled… But like I said, we were confident and clear blue sky lifted our spirits to wonderland. I strike the holy bell at the entrance of trek to announce the start, offer prayers and get Lord Shiva’s blessing without which we could not have completed the trek.

Initially the trek seemed fine enough but gradually with increasing level of snow the ascent started becoming steeper and steeper. The path was difficult but thank god we had Umeid with us who was actually cutting the steps in snow in front of us. We were also lucky, as a young foreign couple who met us at Deoria Tal was just trekking ahead of us, making it easier for us to use their steps. They had plans to reach Chandrashilla which looked ominous for us at present. Soon, I started losing the breath and again the heart beat noise level had increased to be audible. Well, Umeid asked us to relax and keep walking slowly and steadily. He had great stamina and as he was carrying all the water bottles, it was a bonus for us. The biggest problem was taking pictures. Firstly, it was time consuming as I have to remove gloves and then click. Secondly, looking through the view finder of my camera was not easy due to the striking glare produced by bright sun battering the snow. Soon, my eyes had irritations in them and I started to take extra caution while taking the pictures. The snow trek also demands a lot of drinking water, which we learnt in this trek only but again thank god we came prepared this time unlike Chandratal. I kept asking Umeid, how much more and he kept replying just 1 KM and mind you that 1 KM was just to make me push … The feeling was amazing and soon we were into the ice age with snow everywhere around us… This is what we have come here for and we were happy to get such weather to enjoy it.

Time to click something…

The background and me…

Yes it a long way to go…

Tell him not to worry…

Take some shortcut…

Watch your foot…

It was difficult… This can give an idea how much snow was present

The Tunganath temple was not far away but there was a hurdle to cross. The point was such that there was a sheer backdrop with no stopping on the back and you need to dodge the railing which was completely covered in snow … I was glad to take the initiative and lead other to the point … The advantage was that my pictures would be clicked this time and to feel the real pressure upfront. Umeid also agreed and nodded me to go ahead and it was some amazing feeling when I reached that point. The particular point did require certain amount of caution and when I looked behind my back I could easily say “ OH MAN! THAT’s SERIOUSLY SCARY“ … After me, one by one everybody crossed it and few 100 odd meters ahead, Tunganath temple was visible now. Our eyes lit up with excitement and to be very frank I was praying that it must be visible by now else I was losing on the stamina … One glimpse kept me going and just when we reached some wrecked houses about 100 meters before the temple entrance, the stamina has blow out. For that last 3.5 – 4 KMs, we have not rested our asses anywhere as there was no place to sit except snow … We decided to take lunch at that place only by placing some stones in the snow and sitting on them. It was a big relieve at least for me, to get some energy into the belly and recharge the body once again to reach the temple first and back to Baniya Kund again. We ate rotis and allo jeera prepared by Umeid (cook) for us and also replenished the lost nutrients with the help of ORS diluted in water. Now, the body was feeling some energy to move ahead. Meanwhile, the guide with foreigner couple called us from the temple to ask if we are interested in Chandrashilla. We declined the request as we wanted this journey to be uneventful only…

Jackpot of snow…

Enjoying the sun…

Umeid… Our Hero…

Footmarks only… means I am way behind of others and time to speed up…

He is trying to be careful…

We will reach soon…

One of the million breathers…

Colors of joy…

The point was very tricky and dangerous but privileged to be the first one…

Holding tightly …

The Journey ahead-

• Snow Trek to Tunganath, Climbing Down | Revisiting Uttarakhand