Bhojbasa - Gaumukh

I woke up early in the morning at around 5am while the rest of them were still sleeping. Woke Suma also. She was nt ready to get up... I went out of the tent to see whether it had stopped snowing. It had stopped snowing by then. Came back to the tent and slept with the rest of them till others woke up.

The tents were close to the river making us feel even more cold. We all had breakfast and packed our bags by 8am. Group by group, we left one behind the other. It took jus an hr and a half for us to reach gaumukh which was 4km frm bhojbasa.

On our way to Gaumukh, we walked on the glaciers. The ice was not so clean in look. It was mixed with silica soil and small stones. There was no greenery found all through our route. The rotary Club has started afforestation programme in conjunction with the other local organizations. Still not much greenery around in this route.

On our way, we had to cross some tiny little bridges. Vishy and Shubha were jus like a small child whenh they had to cross the bridge. Though the water there was shallow, someone had to hold them by hand and make them cross the small streams. Also, we met some sadhus who wore jus bare minimal clothes in spite of the cold weather. They jus wore a thin cotton dhothi and a Razai(some of them) on their shoulder with a can(some used Kamandala) in their hand to fetch water. Their pace was too much for me and suma to catch up. But Raj managed to go along with them. He heard their stories of life. What made them become sadhus like this? The aversions in life etc etc. Also the story of Gaumukh being named so.

The myth behind Gaumukh being named so:
The water came out of the mouth of a Cow and hence the name Gaumukh.

Gaumukh is at an altitude of 4000m above sea level.

It seems that the glaciers are moving beyond Gangotri year by year. This is the version of the localites there. They say that Gaumukh was much closer to Gangotri than what it is now. The glaciers are melting day by day making the place farther than what it seems to be.

If we move to the left taking that trail, we would reach Nandanvan. If we move to the right, we would go to Tapovan.

The terrain till Gangotri was easy enough though at times we had to pant and rest for longer time. The terrain after this and the exp after this is the real exciting one..

Gangotri - Bhojbasa

It was a fine tuesday morning(22nd may 2007)... we all set off to bhojbasa from gangotri...The trek was a 14 km long one. All of us were panting as we started off. It was very cold there in Gangotri.We had split ourselves in several groups. Those who could pick up the speed joined the grp in the front. Like this we kept on walking with our luggage on our back. We were stopped at the check post for our permission letter. Pradeep had it in his bag. But the bag was carried by the porter. He was jus ahead of us by 5-10 min.Pradeep went ahead and got it. Till then all of us rested under the tree shade. The terrain was not tough. It was much easier than the Kumara Parvata.

Gangotri to Bhojbasa was a trek route consisting of greenery along the route with snow capped mountains at far distance from us. Beneath us was the river roaring at its speed. The pathway all throught was quite narrow. Only 2 ppl could walk together. Some places were so narrow that only one person could manage to go. At times, we had to criss cross with the mules and horses which were the other means of transport for peopke who could not walk to gaumukh from gangotri.

It was nt a tough one. But we were tired by the time we reached chirbasa which is 9km frm Gangotri. Me, CK and Raj were the first few to reach there. The rotis that were packed and given to us were nt enough (for some of us.. nt me) So we ordered Maggi and kadak chai.. CK ate Maggi. Me and Raj had tea.. rested for 20 min by then the rest of them joined us. We had a small chat with the rest of them. Suma, enthusiast for the day wanted to join us though she reached chirbasa later than us. I was silent from the time the himalaya trek started. Dont know what made me so.. It was good that i could save energy ;)

We went ahead abt a km or so. Suma who carried CK's 65ltr bag for that dist was exhausted. cK after having maggi was feeling very sleepy. We found a small dhaba there where we could hire horses.. Suma though didn't wanna hire, hired it for the sake of CK.. They paid excess amount. As usual cos Suma is known for that. Didn't know that CK is also of same category..

Me and Raj continued our walk through the monotonous route. Suma and CK crossed us on horses.

It was getting colder in the late noon after 4 o'clk. It was more cold when the path was next to the river. As we move away from the river, it was sort of ok dokay.. I did nt even have my gloves, monkey cap or any warm ware at that time as we had exchanged bags. Raj spared me his cap.

It was 7pm by the time we reached bhojbasa, we met chitra who also came on horse. We then spotted our tents and moved towards the tent. the tents were set up close to the river. The climate was becoming unbearable to us. We reached the tents. Had a cup of tea and relaxed with Suma and CK. It started snowing by the time CSP reached the tent. I got my bag frm him. Me, suma and Chitra wore the thermal wear. By then, Priya and visht arrived. Vishy ad priya were also shivering in the cold weather. Me, chitra, Suma, CSP, Manju, Priya and Vishy in a 2 man tent. Imagine!! all of us sitting with some bags. Still shivering.. The temp at that time was 9degrees. We were at the altitude of 13000ft. Suma rubbed her palm against mine and Priya's hands and feet to warm us up.. by then rest of them arrived.. all exhausted.. all of them desperately wanting something warm to hold on and warm themselves.

There were totally 5 tents. One for gals. One for Priya and Vishy. One for cooks and porters. Two for guys.

We were served hot vegetable soup. We rested for sometime. Our meals was ready. We all assembled in the big tent to have food. Had food and back to tent for the much awaited sleep.