Dehra Dun : Romancing with adventure in the higher reaches of Chamoli disttict in Uttarakhand, a team of 19 local youths, have discovered a new trekking route that is going to mesmerize national and foreign trekkers, taking them through some of the most scenic landscape along virgin territory that has not been walked upon before.
The team, led by a trekking guide Mohan Singh Negi, and comprising of youth who had taken training from the tourism department of Garhwal University and state tourism department, Chamoli decided to unwind in the Nijmula Valley where a number of alpine pastures are located amongst snowbound areas, in the hope that they may perhaps locate a trekking route beyond compare.
And if they and the Distt tourism officer, Chamoli are to be believed, they have done exactly that. The team started on Oct 11, and after traversing 60 kms, reached back on Oct 19. It took them seven days to go from Nijmula to Sagalpuri via Gaunua, Durmi, Pangna, Irani, Jhinjhi, Daundib, Gauchal Uriyar and Saptkund, but just two days to come back.
The trekking route passes along some of the highest terrain amongst the 17 trekking routes in Chamoli, touching the highest point at 6500 metres. The route passes some of the most breathtaking alpine pastures at those heights with snow covered peaks along most of the route and all that one can see are the green pastures and the white snow, the team claimed.
Distt tourism officer, Chamoli, S S Rana said that there is British time bungalow at Durmi, which gives one to believe that during the days of the raj, the place was the private haunt of some highly placed British officer, as even in the good old days it must have taken some time and money to construct the bungalow at that distant place and not only maintain is but store it with all necessities.
“Now that the trekking route has more or less been established, the department will undertake a survey of the places where there are possibilities of setting up camping sites for trekkers. We have also decided to write to the Uttarakhand government to bring the trekking route on the tourism map of the state and also put it up on websites for trekkers”, he added.
The trekking team claimed that while the white snow and green alpine pastures form a breath taking view, there are seven small lakes at Saptkund and another natural water body at Sagalpuri. Four kms ahead of Saptkund is a waterfall where the water appears white as it cascades down and we called it Dughdkundi (milk source).
They said that if desired rather than returning back to Nijmula, if a trekking team so desires it can take the Kalyogarhi-Diyarisairi route from Saptkund and reach Tapovan in Joshimath, so there is also scope of branching off entirely to another city or place, rather than returning back, which at times trekkers do not like to do.
A journalist with over 40 years of experience, Jagdish Bhatt was Editor, Hill Post (Uttarakhand).
Jagdish had worked with India’s leading English dailies, which include Times of India, Indian Express, Pioneer and several other reputed publications. A highly acclaimed journalist, he was a recipient of many awards
Jagdish Bhatt, aged 72, breathed his last on 28th August 2021 at his Dehradun residence.
BRAVO !
Mohan & his Party need to be complimented.
I am happy that the youth is taking to such meaningful activities. Chamoli District is easily one of the most beautiful districts in the world.Even in Alpine Mountains & entire Switzerland, I found no parallel to the beauty of Chamoli in all its manifestation.Nestled on its East by the Nandadevi Biosphere Reserve & spanning due West up North to Rakshal & Southwards to Adibadrri Hills & then to Gwaldam – all this makes Chamoli easily a trekkers paradise.
Another great strategic advantage from such trekking expeditions is physical domination of our border belt which is denuded today due to mass migration & apathy of State Government over the years.It is pertinent to state that the Central Sector where India has a border dispute with China lies in Chamoli District – Barahoti near Tunjun La Pass.State Government should encourage such trekking expeditions all along the border with China right from Lipu Lekh Pass till Muling La in the West where Uttarakhand boundary meets with that of Himachal..Of course, all such activities need to be coordinated with Army, BSF & SSB on the East positioned along Nepal Boundary watching the Kali.
British Officers of my Regiment spent many days trekking these near inaccessible high altitude mountain trails primarily for Shikar. They were very fond of adventure & outdoors .There are records of Bhulas accompanying them on such high altitude treks cum Shikar expeditions.One dashing Garhwali British Officer ,Lt Percy Thomas Etherton trekked all the way from Lansdowne till a remote Post in Siberia walking through the centre of Asia in early Nineties. Gyan Singh Pharswan affectionately called Gyani was with him all through.Both were awarded McGregor Medals for this super human feat.Possibly, the bungalow mentioned here may have been constructed by some of our Regimental Officers.
Uttarakhand is unique in many ways.As a young lad & thereafter, I have traversed across the length & breadth of this beautiful land.There is nothing like Uttarakhand.
Jai Ho Dev Bhumi,Veer Bhumi & Kala Bhumi !! Let us look after it.
For BSF please read ITBP.
Inconvenience is regretted.