Valley of Flowers

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

Valley of Flowers.. Himalayan, where rivers never give-up

Utilization of the newly introduced WhatsApp feature of status updates, helped in finding new friends as trekking companions, which I must admit, is, if not impossible, at least, not an easy 😔 task. One of society 🌇 members then asked, "We are planning an easy grade Himalayan 🏔️ trek in August, care to join?". Given its unpredictable weather, there is never and nothing easy in Himalaya. We'll shortly come to that.

Even thinking about exploring the new horizons, especially at higher altitudes than Sahyadris, pumps-up the adrenaline 😍. And so, started the research. Recognizing it as nothing-to-worry-about, let's-go-for-it, I signed-up.

August 2018

The least we knew anything about कांवड सावन यात्रा that stalls everything happening / not happening in and around हरिद्वार 🕉️, made us 😟 nervous enough on options to reach our base camp 🏕️ at ऋषिकेश. Thankfully 🙏, it was one of its last days. Otherwise, earlier batches took beyond eternity as to what is needed for 20-22 kms, had many just walked.

Evening was well spent at the bank of enormous, pious and enchanting Ganges, also privileged with गंगा आरती 🕯️. Next day was a road 🛣️ journey from humidity to gelidity, towards the mountains ⛰️, through valleys, along the river अलकनंदा, followed by another evening encashed at holy temples ⛩️ of जोशीमठ, catching and capturing 📷 love-at-first-sight views of the surrounding ranges.

The following day, we had another short road journey along the same river, to the north ⬆️, गोविंदघाट, from where we were supposed to be on our own. Handing over our luggage 🎒 to mules 🐎 and always aware that the first 4 kms (till पुलना village) can be arranged, we had 2 group opinions 🤼‍♂️ if to avail or not. While one was trying to convince the other, we agreed (few reluctantly) on our way up, all 13 kms by feet, along लक्ष्मण गंगा, to our camp for the next 3 nights, घंगारिया. The path 👣 was well trodden, built to comfort of pilgrims; and views were, needless to mention, mesmerizingly beautiful 😇. The second half (after भ्युंदार), as is usually the case with any mountain, be it Himalaya / Sahyadri, was steep, and steep like anything 😓.

Valley of flowers, Legge grave and not-to-be-missed river bed were on the charts for next day. Beauty of this region is its variety 🌸🌷🌼🌺over time ⌚ and space 🏞️. In the midst, it also has a grave ⚰️ of Joan Margaret Legge who had come to India to study flora of this spellbinding National Park but had died doing so. Then, the river bed made to the pick of the day, clutter free, smoothingly chill and refreshingly sedative.

Next day was to be (+ लक्ष्मण मंदिर) हेमकुंड साहिब, the गुरुद्वारा, the highest point of this expedition at an altitude of ~4200 meters, open only 4 months a year. After ascending a steep slope of more than 1200 meters in this weather and altitude, as if we had rightfully earned it, we relished ourselves to mild gurbani 🎼, sweet prasadam and much needed लंगर. Although we had heard about it, it was jaw-dropping yet to discover the sikhs 👳 dipping themselves in the adjoining, ice-cold, हेमकुंड lake, when we were shivering in our jackets 🧥, gloves 🧤 and mufflers. Having spotted the state flower, ब्रह्मकमळ, postponed any possible disappointment to the later point of time. And thankfully 🙏 again, the weather 🌥️ had very much favoured us till now.

Next destination was further north, बद्रीनाथ, after descending the same, first day's route from the other side, from घंगारिया back till गोविंदघाट. And so it happened. A landslide and roadblock at लामबगड was awaiting our arrival 🛬. It was imminent 🤔, not everything can be so perfect. This meant either we return or stay in a गुरुद्वारा nearby to resume our journey as and when it got (less likely) cleared. Interviewing ❓ about the possible options to get to the other side, revealed us a small trekking route over the same mountain. We unpacked it all and packed only what was needed for 2 days, stuffed the rucksack in the bus 🚌 and carried a small backpack with us. In no time, we were heading towards बद्रीनाथ after descending to the other side of the mountain and hiring a local transport. Few were adamant and stayed back only to join us the next day as the road was cleared. The eventful day ended after visiting one of the चार धाम and warm hot HOT water bath 🛀 in one of its pools (कुंड).

Flag 🇮🇳 hoisting on Independence day at freezing बद्रीनाथ camp started the following day in high spirits towards our next adventure, वसुधरा falls. Attractions on the way included गणेश गुफा, व्यास गुुफा, भीम पुल and origin of सरस्वती river, from India's last village, माना. Fall of the ~400 ft falls was thundering loud. Slowly and intermittently we were delighted 😀 to have perspectives of snow-clad mountains 🏔️ from all the directions, which were most of the times immersed in clouds ☁️. This was nothing less than exceeds-expectations rating 🏆. 

The last day was then to hope least for another landslide. This time, we just had to walk that landslide prone area amidst the flowing water, trembling stones, a few falling rocks, all risk-free. 👏 Hope, there are better alternatives today. 👍

That ends in short, my first trek in Himalayan region in 🙇‍♂️ देवभूमी उत्तराखंड. Luxurious, spacious and well-equipped by Himalayan standards. 85 kms of feet distance with 3600+ meters of elevation gain in 5 days.

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