Kinnaur To Spiti

This trek combines the green of the Kinnaur region with the stark desolateness of the Spiti valley. The trek begins at Kafnoo in Kinnaur and crosses over the Pin Bhaba pass at 4865 meters, the most frequently used crossing by the locals.

The trail ascends along the left bank of the Wangar River after crossing a footbridge. The path climbs through single crop fields of Mastrang and passes through a mixed forest of conifers and temperate broad-leafed species. The trail climbs through little clearings of potato and buckwheat till it reaches the meadows of Mulling (3350 meters), fringed by birch and birdcherry, leaving the Wangar river far below. From here the trail continues to Pistrang, a sheltered glade with a spring at one end and over a steep ascent to the pass. The descent is more gradual to the Pin valley, over boulder-strewn glaciers, making it a sharp contrast to lush green Kinnaur.

Trek Information

Trek Name: BHBHA PASS Trek
Location: Himachal Pradesh
Base: Kafnoo(Kinnaur) & Mudh (Pin)
Season: July - September

ITINERARY

8th Aug,10:Start from Kolkata(Board Train)

9th Aug,10:On Train

10th Aug,10:Reach Kalka -> Shimla

11th Aug,10:Shimla -> Kafnoo

12th,10:Kafnoo -> Homti

13th Aug,10:Homti -> Mulling

14th Aug,10:Mulling -> Kahra

15th Aug,10:Kahra -> Phustirang

16th Aug,10:Phustirang -> BHABHA PASS -> Baldhar

17th Aug,10:Baldhar -> Mudh -> Kaza

18th Aug,10:Kaza Sight Seeing

19th Aug,10: Kaza -> Manali

20th Aug,10: Manali -> Delhi

21st Aug,10: Board Train

22nd Aug,10: Reach Kolkata

MAP

GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE

OUR GROUP

From left to right SANDIP, DURBAR DA, SUMAN, ANINDYA, ME(SAMYA), SUBHAJIT, ARITRA

TEAM MEMBERS

ANINDYA DASGUPTA

SUBHAJIT MUKHERJEE

DURBAR MANDAL

SUMAN BHATTACHARJEE

SANDIP PARIA

ARITRA SEN

Me (SAMYA ROY)

Behind The Scene

It all started with the planning for our next trek.First of all we finalized the most probable time for the trek.September was the month we finalized.Then we shortlisted some of the doable treks around that time. Amongst them Satopanth Tal Trek was most likely to be the trek for us. So I started gathering informations on that particular trek.But this time it wasn't that easy for us.One of our team member had an office issue in September. So now September is out of question. Having Durga Puja in October, we already kept that month out of equation also.In June I will be having my exam.So that is also not possible .That leaves us to only two available months- July & August. To me these are the least two months for me to do trekking as it will be mostly raining all over.As the options became minimum for us it wasn't hard to find decent treks. After lot of research and discussion we finally finalized the BHABHA PASS TREK. The reason behind selecting this trek is it witnesses minimum rainfall through out the year. So it will be much safer to be doing this trek.

The Journey

Day 1 (8th Aug,2010):

“THE BEGINNING”

Howrah -> Kalka: 1743 Km.

Train Name: 2311 Kalka Mail.

Duration: 25 hr.

We boarded on Kalka Mail on the evening. There were also another team going to an expedition near Losar(Spiti) travelling with us.

Day 2 (9th Aug,2010):

“ON THE WHEELS”

On Train

We spent the whole day playing cards and chatting and leg pulling each other.

Day 3 (10th Aug,2010):

“THROUGH THE TUNNELS”

Kalka -> Shimla: 96 Km.

Train Name: 251 Kalka Simla Exp.

Duration: 5 hr.

The train was 1 hour late, so we have to ruch to get our loads loaded to the toy train.There were not to much space left to load all the bags, so we put the load on our seats and enjoyed whole ride at the two doors of the train. It was a memorable journey. After reaching Shimla we searched for a decent hotel and boarded to a hotel named Gold View residing near the bus stop.

Day 4 (11th Aug, 2010):

“ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL”

Shimla -> Kafnoo: 216 Km.

Duration: 9 hr. Drive.

Today we had to catch the only bus that leaves for Kafnoo at 9 A.M. But by the time we reached there it was packed up and ready to leave. So we decided to wait for the next bus that goes to Wangtu which is 18 Km way from Kafnoo.But the bus was late and a puncture costs us more time. So by the time we reached Wangtu the last bus to Kafnoo had gone. So we tried to take a lift but that route is very rarely used. So no one agreed to go there. But thanks to our horseman Sitaram Ji, he arranged a lift and we finally made it to Kafnoo. After reaching Kafnoo we quickly boarded to the only available hotel there. On that night we had an argument with Sitaram ji. We had to make certain compromises that day. But eventually everything sorted out.

Day 5 (12th Aug,2010):

“GIVE UP”

KAFNOO(7963FT) -> HOMTI(?) = 7 KM

Duration: 2 hr.

Grade: STEEP ACSENT = Tough.

THE D DAY for us as we about to start our trek today. Four people started at 10.30 in the morning. Three of us waited for the loads to be put to the mules.at around 11 we started our journey. But after walking for about 10 minutes I realized that our very own horseman Sitaram Ji had forgotten to bring the eggs, So he had to rush back and bring those eggs. So eventually we started at 12 that day. As we started walking higher the weather became bad. By 2 O’Clock it was worst. So we had to camp at a place called Homti that is 8 Km before Mulling.

That night there were long discussions going on whether we should continue on that trail in that weather. Finally it was decided that we will abandon this trek. We were all very sad that night. All the efforts we put together was about to get wasted. But then I thought that it was our life that matters most.

Day 6 (13th,Aug 2010):

“NEW BEGINNING”

HOMTI(?) -> MULLING(11385FT) = 9 KM

Duration: 5-6 hr.

Grade: STEEP ACSENT = Tough.

In the morning we informed our porter that we will be going back today. But then Suman disagreed to this and that made us to think again. My heart was always saying to continue. That day the weather was also very bright. So we just looked to each others eyes and of we go. We were walking again. We quickly packed our loads and left for Mulling. Today another incident happened. We have to cross a small but lively stream. We did that with the help of fix roping. But just when Durbar da about to cross he lost his balance and fell into the stream. Luckily he has holding the rope so we quickly pulled him up. Mulling is a very scenic place. Just before reaching Mulling Anindya got injured. So we had to load ferry his sack to the campsite.

Day 7 (14th Aug,2010):

“DRENCHED”

MULLING(11385FT) -> KAHRA(12500FT) = 13 KM.

Duration: 4-5 hr.

Grade: MIXED = EASY

Today we had an aim to reach Phustirang. So we left early. But the injury of Anindya didn’t heal that way. So we had to look for another mule that can carry the load. We left for Phustirang leaving our porters and Aritra behing with two extra sacks, as the other one was Sandip’s. But our horseman Sitaram Ji couldn’t able to arrange any mule so he left Aritra waiting alone with the sacks at mulling. As the weather again deteriorates we had to camp at Kahra and sitaram ji had to go back again with his mule and pickup the loads. By the time Aritra got drenched thrice by the rain. I feel really sorry for him. They reached the campsite by 6.30.

Day 8 (15th Aug,2010):

“THE SLIPPERS”

KAHRA(12500FT) -> PHUSTIRANG(12927FT) = 5 KM

Duration: 3-4 hr.

Grade: GRADUAL ACSENT = TRICKY

The morning was the brightest. That made all our spirits high. This is the day when we had to cross 3 streams. The first one we crossed using ropes while our boats hanging on our neck. The water was thigh high. It was really difficult. While crossing the second river our very own Durbar Da threw his boots into the middle of the river. He wanted to throw it to the other side but we can only see his shoes flowing with the flow. So he had to walk that day with his slippers. While crossing the third stream which was the small stream that just came out from a glacier snout. But here suman hit his head into a rock while crossing. Thankfully the wounds were not that deep, otherwise it could be really serious. Except the river crossing the whole walk was easy. Phustirang was just below the Pass.

Day 9 (16th Aug,2010):

“LEFT BEHIND”

PHUSTIRANG(12927FT) -> BHABHA PASS(15900FT) -> BALDHAR(14600FT) = 18KM

Duration: 8-10 hr.

Grade: STEEP ACSENT -> STEEP DESCENT = Tough & Hectic.

Today we had to cross the pass and reach Baldhar. The Pass was a steep climb. That was the most painful. We were all panting and grasping only Aritra was very much comfortable. While crossing we had to negotiate several glaciares. There was also a small glacial lake. We reached the Bhabha Top at around 12.30. By then it was all cloudy. The wind at the top was freezing. Climbing down from the top to the other side was a bit tricky. As it was snow everywhere we had to fix ropes one place. After climbing down from the top it was a long walk through the valley. The other side was a completely different world. No signs of green anywhere.

It was a desert mountain.

As we walked along the valley the distance amongst us became more. One time I could see anyone infront of me and behind. I reached the campsite at around 6.30. It was almost a 10 hour walk. I was the third person to reach the camp. Subhajit reached the camp after 20 minutes. But it was 7.30 and it was getting dark and Suman, Anindya and Durbar da had not yet made it to the camp. By 8 it was completely dark. So me and Subhajit went in search of them but couldn’t see them anywhere and we couldn’t go far as it was very dark out there. So we returned to camp and waited for them. Our horseman Sitaram ji told that he had seen two people with a torch and whistle were walking above the ridge while he was near the stream down the ridge to get water. So he with Subhajit went in search for them, but returned emptyhanded. We thought that they might took shelter to a campsite that was 8 Km behind. We were all worried. I couldn’t sleep that night. Loads of bad thoughts came into my mind that night.

Day10 (17th Aug,2010):

“FAREWELL”

BALDHAR(14600FT) -> MUDH(12877FT) = 14 KM

Duration: 4-5 hr.

Grade: GRADUAL DESCEND = EASY

MUDH(12877FT) -> KAZA(12500FT) = 55 KM

Duration: 3 hr. Drive.

In the morning me and Subhajit went in search of them. After walking for around half an hour we found them. They spend all the night under the open sky. They had no food and water. They ate only dry fruites. As the light went off they couldn’t made any further progress and decided to go back to the camp they left behind, but it was too dark and they couldn’t dare to reach there. Meanwhile SUman and Durbar da tried to search for us and at that time Sitaram ji saw them. But by the time we went to search them they went back. Anyways after reaching campsite we had breakfast and quickly packed our load and left for Mudh. This was the last day of our trek. It was a very easy walk all along the valley. As we reached Mudh we looked around for vehicles that will lead us to Kaza. After searching for a while we found one and booked him. We reached Kaza by 3.30. Then me and Anindya went in search of a hotel and booked a nice homestay. The nightlife of Kaza was very silent. The streets were vacant and very less light everywhere. But it was very thrilling experience for us to walk in those lonely roads in dark.

Day11 (18^th Aug,2010):

“SPITI”

KAZA(12500FT) -> GETE -> KIBBER -> KYE -> KAZA(12500FT)

Duration: 3 hr. Drive.

Today we booked a car for the local sight seeing. First we went to Gete. This is said to be one of the last village of India. There was only one monastre there. From there we went to Kibber. This the base for the Parangla trek. We had lunche here. From here we went to Kye. This is the most beautiful monastree I have seen so far. The view form the roof is breathtaking.

Day12 (19th Aug,2010):

“ROLLERCOASTER”

KAZA(12500FT) -> MANALI(6398FT)

Duration: 10 hr. Drive.

We all woke up early by 3 in the morning. Reason we had to catch the first bus to manali that leaves around 4 A.M. We quickly went to the bus stand which was 5 minutes walk and booked our seats. The bus left Kaza right on time. The journey was very painful as the road was just like we trekked for the last few days. We had breakfast at Losar. The second halt was at Kunzum La to offer prayer. We had lunch at Batal. The food was awesome. Rohtang Pass was all muddy and the traffic was very slow. We reached Manali by 3.30 as said by the driver. We booked a hotel near the bus stop. We all had some good tandoori food after a while. I liked this place very much so the food. We booked our tickets in a Volvo bus for the next day evening.

Day13 (20th Aug,2010):

“GOODBYE”

MANALI(6398FT) -> DELHI

Duration: 14 hr. Drive.

Spent the morning shopping. Took lunch and some rest. We left the hotel at around 4.30 for bus stand. Bus left for delhi at sharp 5. Near mandi there was a landslide and that costs us 3 hours. Our schedule time to reach delhi was 7 next morning.

Day14 (21st Aug,2010):

“TIME & TRAIN WAITS FOR NONE”

NEW DELHI -> KOLKATA: 1530 Km.

Train Name: 2304 Poorva Exp.

Duration: 25 hr.

Bus was running very late. Our train(Duranta Exp) was at 1 Pm. As the things went out of control we decided to leave the bus and arranged three cab. But couldn’t make it to the station in time. Result missed the train. After searching for several option booked our tickets on Poorva Exp. And finaly boarded.

Day15 (22nd Aug,2010):

“HOME SWEET HOME”

Reached Home