Disclaimer: Since I do not have any academic background in life sciences, though the identification at genus level may stand the test of time, the species level identification is subject to inaccuracy. Any additions, omissions, errors reported will be delightfully devoured.
- Sandeep Tambe
Day From Altitude Time To Altitud Time Dist Mode Remarks ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day1 Mussoori 2005 7:00 Ghat 1331 17:00 243 Bus Day2 Ghat 1331 8:00 Sithail 2192 13:00 15 Trek Gradual uphill Day3 Sithail 2192 8:30 Kannol 2800 12:30 15 Trek Gradual uphill Day4 Kannol 2800 9:30 Wan 2439 11:30 10 Trek Gradual walk Day5 Wan 2439 8:00 Bedni 3354 12:00 10 Bus Steep uphill * Bedni 3354 Roopkund 5029 12 Trek V. Steep climb * Roopkund 5029 3354 12 Trek V. Steep climb Day6 Bednial 3354 11:00 Wan 2439 13:30 10 Trek Steep downhill Day7 Wan 2439 9:00 Mandoli 2134 13:00 16 Trek Gradual uphill Mandoli 2134 15:30 Kausani 1700 20:30 90 Bus Day8 Kausani 1700 8:30 Mussoori 2005 24:00 Bus
Day From To Food Night Halt Day1 Mussoorie Ghat Roadside Dhaba PWD Guest House, 3 roomsCarried packed breakfast and lunch from the academy. The institute had hired the bus for the duration of the trek. On the way to Dhanaulti had the awesome view of the snow clad Chaukhamba (7138m) due north. Had breakfast at Dhanaulti at 8:00. Reached Tehri a couple of hours later. The mighty Bhagirathi had been tamed here by a remarkable piece of engineering. The dam wall, around 270m high was coming up here, the river had been diverted through two tunnels and after a subterranean journey of 2 km it rejoined its course. Had lunch at Srinagar at 1:00 pm. After Srinagar the tinge of autumn in the tree cover could be seen in the orange and red hues.
Day From To Food Night Halt ------------------------------------------- Day2 Ghat Sithail Shop Forest Rest House, 2 rooms, running waterThe altitudinal zonation of flora was starkly visible here. Chir [Pinus roxburghii] and Oak [Quercus incana] giving way to Deodar [Cedrus deodara] and Blue Pine [Pinus wallichina] as we reached Sithail. Saw a flock of Scarlet Minivets [Pericrocotus flammeus] along the way, flitting from branch to branch of a Pine tree. The glistening black and red of the male contrasting brilliantly with the black and olive yellow of the female. Also saw a pair of Yellow Billed Blue Magpie [Cissa flavirostris] flying awkwardly amidst the undergrowth. At Sithail we met a Pune based trekking group, returning from Roopkund, they had bad news for us. There had been heavy snow beyond Bedni Bugyal, and we would be extremely lucky to make it to Roopkund. Also all the high altitude alpine flowers, including the divine Brahmakamal [Saussurea obvallata] had wilted in the snow.
Day From To Food Night Halt ---------------------------------------------------------- Day3 Sithail Kannol Cooked ourselves Forest Rest House, 2 roomsWeather was cold and breezy, it started drizzling towards the latter half of the trek. One peculiarity of the climate in the Himalayas is that during night time, as the temperature falls, the clouds condense and descend into the valley. The skies become clear, and stars come out, raising false expectations of a clear day ahead. However just after daybreak, clouds start forming again, and it becomes overcast within no time. Hence early mornings are the best time for trekking and photography since it invaribly rains in the afternoons. One subgroup got strayed inspite of having a local guide along with them and reached two hours late. It is advisable to mark ones direction with arrows on all forks, as an indicator to the subgroups following. The Forest Rest House is located three km from the village. At the Forest Rest House there was the Himalayan Whistling Thrush [Myiophonus caeruleus] and the Pied Wagtail [Motacilla alba] to greet us. The harvesting operations in the village were in full swing. The crops being Ramdana, Marua, potato and tobacco. Due to the low level of solar radiation each of these crops takes around six months to mature.
Day From To Food Night Halt --------------------------------------------------- Day4 Kannol Wan Cooked ourselves, Forest Rest House, 2 rooms, running waterAround one hour from Kannol, after the uphill climb, one comes across a beautiful Bugyal [meadow]. The view of Trishul [7120m] and Nanda Ghunti [6309m] piercing the heavens is absolutely breathtaking from here. We missed this sight because of the clouds. The wind was very chilly, and all of us pulled out our woollens and cold creams. Along the trek there were stands of Oak [Quercus incana] almost leafless and sporting a colony of rusty coloured epiphytic ferns. The Burhans [Rhododendron sp.] trees which had completed their flowering for the season, soon took over. The Wan Forest Rest House is located amidst centuries old giant Cypress [Cupressus torulosa] and Spruce [Picea smithiana] trees. A beautiful kitchen garden of multi-coloured Dahlias was maintained around the compound. We took our first bath in days in the nearby stream, and were soon greeted by a hailstorm and heavy drizzle. The chances of our reaching Roopkund, dimmed further, but we were still hoping for the best. All of us jettisoned our sundry items, in preparation of the back-breaking trek to Bedni Bugyal. The Wan village is located one km downhill from the Forest Rest House.
Day From To Food Night Halt ------------------------------------------------------------------ Day5 Wan Bedni Bugyal Cooked ourselves 2 rooms, take key from forest guard at Wan Forest Rest HouseVery tiring and stiff climb. The trail was swampy and water-logged. Passed through forests of Spruce [Picea smithiana] and Rhododendron. The leaf litter of these trees was heavy forming a thick humus layer on the ground. We had sent a scout team to check the condition of the trail and accommodation at Bedni. We had a breath-taking view of Trishul after an hours trek. As we reached the end of the treeline, the Rhododendron showed stunted growth with gnarled and twisted limbs to minimise exposure. Once we crossed the treeline at 11:00, it was the mosses and lichens that took over. Crustose lichens formed green patches on the marble rocks. Some lichens secrete acids, to dissolve the upper crust of the rocks, accentuating secondary succession of grasses and herbs like - Anaphalis, Leontopodium and Gaultheria. The sporophytes of the moss was beautifully visible. The blast of chilly breeze which hit us directly, above the tree line, succeeded in blowing a couple of caps down the ridge. As we rounded the last bend a celestial sight met out eyes. The huge mountain peaks, barely a couple of kms away were fully laden with snow. In the afternoon light, the snow was radiating with a dazzling glow. It appeared as if the whole mountain range had been covered with a thin Silver foil. We managed to reach the rugged accommodation of Bedni using the last ounce of our energy. On reaching Bedni we found out to our dismay that the chances of our making it to Roopkund were as good as nil. Two groups, one from Australia and one from Delhi, returning after an unsuccessful attempt gave us the bad news that the route to Roopkund was under three feet of snow and it was still snowing out there. After a lunch of steaming Khichadi we made our way up the snow clad peak. It was the first experience with snow for most of us. Surprisingly the snow was crystalline and not at all cold. The subgroup which had started off earlier, braved the snow and chilly gusts of wind managed to reach up to BokaVasa, which is at an altitude of 4000m. With the ominous darkness of an impending snow-storm spreading fast, and the wind screaming like a possessed demon, threatening to blow us off the ridge into the snow chute below, we thought it prudent to return back to Bedni. There was a snowfall in the evening followed by a freezing night, with sub-zero conditions prevailing outside our sleeping bags. There was a saint [Raman Giri] staying in the room alongside ours. Incidentally he was a Mech. Engg. from IIT Kanpur, 72 batch. Had a nice enlightening discussion with him. Inspite of the harsh climate prevailing everyone was in high spirits and oblivious of the bleak conditions prevailing outside.
Day From To Food Night Halt * Bedni Bugyal Roopkund Carry packed lunch Impossible * Roopkund Bedni Bugyal Cook yourself 2 roomsWoke up at 7:30, with great willpower dragged ourselves outside the sleeping bag. It was snowing outside. We were wearing three pairs of lower garments and five upper garments, with a monkey cap and muffler completing the attire. Chilly gusts of wind and the swirling flakes of snow ensured that we had to abort our trek before the final destination. Just twelve km away, so near yet so far. The early morning sunrise with Trishul and Nanda Ghunti in the background was also lost. We decided to abondon the attempt to go further and turned back. After 4000m oxygen become scarce. The last leg of this trek, from Bhoga Vasa onwards is a very steep climb up a rock face, but luckily steps have been cut. The problem is that if it snows, these steps get obliterated and it is suicidal to attempt to go further. Carry packed lunch, reach Roopkund by early afternoon, and try to get back by early evening. Since this path is snow-covered, snow boots, with a good grip are essential. To prevent exposure from the blasts of chilly air, a fur jacket is absloutely essential. Since in the month of October, the probability of snow at Roopkund is around 60% to attempt this trek [as we did] without these essentialities will more often than not lead to an abortion midway.
Day From To Food Night Halt ---------------------------------------------------------- Day6 Bedni Bugyal Wan Cooked ourselves Forest Rest House, 2 rooms,We packed our bags reluctantly, had Maggi and headed down. The snow flakes lodged in our woollens, caused numbness as it melted due to the body heat. We stumbled and slithered down the slippery trail. The Phyllitic clay caused water logging, and there was more than ankle deep slush at places. Came across a pair of Plumbeous Redstarts [Rhyacornis fuliginosus] fishing in the river. Though all of us returned with that feeling of a mission unaccomplished, we knew that one day we would be back, and if lady nature was condescending enough to lift her mysterious veil, we would get a glimpse of its celestial beauty.
Day From To Food Night Halt ------------------------------------------ Day7 Wan Mandoli Shop Foresh Rest House Kausani Palatial Forest Rest House, 3 suitesThe last leg of the trek to Mandoli was quite steep. On the mountain faces, due to the weathering action of running water, soil formation/deposition had taken place on the concave portions, making this macrohabitat suitable for the Pine trees which were the climax species. The convex portions of the mountain faces had just grass and no trees. The windward side of the Pine trunk served as an ideal microhabitat for the lichens, moss and epiphytic ferns. All along the trail, marble was amply available, indicating that limestone rock had undergone a high degree of metamorphosis. Came across a Brown Dipper [Cinclus pallasii] fishing in a fast flowing stream. It could remain underwater for extended periods of time and was swimming upstream effortlessly. The local children were very beautiful and shy. The standard norms of their greeting was, Namaste, mithai do and if you said, Nahin hain, back came the prompt reply, Paise do. At Mandoli Forest Rest House, our bus was waiting for us, and after a quick lunch, we decided to head towards Kausani, which is a very famous hill station. On the way right in the middle of a pristine Pine forest, the front tyre of our bus got punctured. As we disembarked, cursing our luck, we were struck by the awe-spiring view of the three peaks of Trishul [hence the name], clothed in a thick blanket of snow, piercing the heavens. To its west was the Nanda Ghunti. After a late dinner, we managed to get accommodation in the Forest Rest House, which is around two km from the town market. Kausani is famed for the breathtaking vista it affords of the whole Himalayan range. One can enjoy the whole range, [from Wast to Eest] Chaukhamba [7138m], Nanda Ghunti [6309m], Trishul [7120m], Nanda Devi[7817m], and Nanda Khat[6611m]. Our bad luck followed us here too, and we got up at 5 am only to find clouds masking the panoramic view.
Day From To Food Night Halt ------------------------------------------- Day8 Kausani Mussoorie Roadside Dhabas Academy After a tiring bus journey, reached the academy at midnight.
5.1 Tree List ------------------ S. No. Common Name Scientific Name 1 Deodar Cedrus deodara 2 Himalayan Cypress Cupressus torulosa 3 Silver Oak Grevillea robusta 4 Himalayan Spruce Picea smithiana 5 Chir Pine Pinus roxburghii 6 Blue Pine Pinus wallichina 7 Poplar Poplus ciliata 8 Bang Oak Quercus incanaa 9 Quercus semecarpifolia 10 Burhans Rhododendron sp. 11 Walnut Juglans regia 5.2 Herb List ------------------- The Species No. and Plate No. refer to [2], and the subscript (s) refers to [3] S. No Scientific Name Species No. Plate No. Family: Balsaminaceae 1 Impatiens edgeworhtii 255 21 2 Impatiens sulcata 250 21 Family: Compositae (Daisy) 3 Aster thomsonii 228(s) 50(s) 4 Gnaphalium hypoleucum 648 61 5 Lentopodium jacotianum 650 61 6 Anaphalis busua 219(s) 48(s) 7 Anaphalis margaritacea 652 61 8 Anaphalis triplinervis 651 61 9 Inula grandiflora 656 59 10 Senecio sp. 256(s) 57(s) 11 Saussurea obvallata 723 68 12 Cicerbita macrorhiza 759 61 Family: Orchidaceae 13 Satyrium nepalense 1353 113 14 Spiranthes sinensis 1356 113 Family: Acanthaceae 15 Pteracanthus urticifolius 1085 99 Family: Convolvulaceae 16 Ipomea purpurea 996 92 Family: Solanaceae 17 Nicandra physalodes 364(s) 77(s) Family: Zingiberaceae 18 Roscoea purpurea 1379 119 Family: Cannabaceae (Hemp) 19 Cannabis sativa 1257 Family: Urticaceae (Nettle) 20 Geradiana diversifolia 479(s) 105(s) Family: Caryophyllaceae 21 Silene edgeworthii 197 18 Family: Leguminosae 22 Parochetus communis 328 28 23 Desmodium multiflorum 114(s) 26(s) Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) 24 Anemone sp. 8(s) 2(s) 25 Delphinium sp. 27 5 Family: Geraniaceae 26 Geranium pratense 78(s) 16(s) Family: Primulaceae 27 Androsace lanuginosa 286(s) 62(s) Family: Gentianaceae 28 Swertia sp. 355(s) 74(s) Family: Labiatae (Mint) 29 Stachys melissaefolia 429(s) 91(s) 30 Salvia sp. 1166 105 Family: Parnassiaceae 31 Parnassia cabulica 494 41 Family: Polygonaceae 32 Rumex sp. 449(s) 98(s) 33 Bistorta millettii 441(s) 93(s) Family: Buxaceae (Box) 34 Sarcococca coriacea 473(s) 101(s) Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) 35 Pedicularis sp. 378(s) 79(s) 36 Pedicularis hoffmeisteri1044 95 Family: Dipsacaceae 37 Dipsacus inermis 630 57 Family: Ericaceae (Heath) 38 Gaultheria trichophylla 821 77
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Last modified on: Tue Apr 5 15:44:12 2005