Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Thanks Subhajit !

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Are the images not getting displayed at your side? I can see the photos from multiple networks.

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Quite an adventure...

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Now they are visible. I think it was due to network issues. Beautifully shot!

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Thanks Om !

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Part 4 - Skiing in Auli

Today's plan was to visit Auli 15km from Joshimath. Try my luck at Skiing. Return to Gopeshwar by 18:30.


Started my day early at 08:30 in the morning. I had planned to return to Joshimath by14:30 and proceed to Gopeshwar.
I had expected black ice on the route and I was correct. Geared up myself took my camera and with one push Avenger started. First 5km was good except the chilly wind which made my fingers almost numb.
Scene started changing. I could see shining snow clad peaks and fresh snow on both sides of the road.
Suddenly I felt my Tyre skidding left and right, it was black ice. I slowed down to 20kmph.


No car or motorcycle passed me till now. Snow on the road was increasing with every kilometer. I was around 5 kilometer behind Auli. A car came from behind and started honking to pass. I was riding in the middle, I signaled to wait and moved slowly towards right.

At the curve just ahead driver of the car applied brake. Due to ice on the road car didn't slowed down, it skid towards right. I think driver must have steered to make it straight. But car again skidded towards left facing the valley. I thought it will fall. Luckily he escaped and went ahead. I hate drivers who rush to their destination.

My rear got stuck in almost a feet deep snow very close to Auli. I was at full throttle but Tyre just kept revolving. My shoes was not fit for snow as a result I was not able to push my bike forward or back.
Then comes the rescue. Indo Tibetan Border Police has their camp at Auli top. Military trucks fitted with big snow chains keep plying on this route.

A jawan jumped from truck and lifted my bike from behind. He helped me clear that snow patch. Thanked them and moved ahead.



Joshimath to Auli




Joshimath to Auli




Joshimath to Auli



Joshimath to Auli

Owner of the shop is a nice guy. This year his brother who was in ITBP was representing India in Nordic Ski race help up in Switzerland. He lived in the village down below. He said he can arrange a coach for Skiing. Thats good.
Settled the deal for Rs.300. He closed his shop and took me the Ski slope.



Guy sitting arranged my Skiing practice



His village on the hill below his shop


I was handed Ski shoes which sturdy and tall. Coach asked to get on the slope which was around 100 meters from here. Walking with Ski shoes requires a bit of practice.
Coach brought a pair of Ski, a pair of Ski sticks and a pair of Ski gloves. First lesson was to stand with Ski.

Fell 2-3 times but learning was fun. After an hour of struggle I was enjoying coming down the slope.
But its tiring as well. After 2 hours of practice I asked the coach to leave.







Now I am getting it




Dikhave par naa jao. She didn't Skied, it was for photograph




Ski slope at Auli


Purchased Rs.350 ticket for rope way to get up on the slope. It was valid to and fro. There are two rope ways in Auli. The bigger one starts from Joshimath and ends on the top of the slope. Ticket price for this rope way costs Rs.750.
Smaller rope way takes Skiers to the top of the slope from where the slope ends. It costs Rs.350.


Auli ropeway - runs from Joshimath



Auli ropeway - Runs from Joshimath




Auli ropeway - Skiers use it get on top of the slope




Auli ropeway - Skiers use it get on top of the slope




Auli ropeway - Skiers use it get on top of the slope


Coach offered me rubber shoes to walk on snow. Auli has artificial lake on the top of the slope. It was completely frozen.


Auli ski resort



Auli ski resort




Auli ski resort



Ski resort scenic view




Artificial Frozen lake - Auli




Scenic view - Auli ski resort










Endless Himalayan mountain ranges



Great Nanda Devi in the center


Spent some time walking around the lake and started my return journey. Bid good bye to the shop owner Deepak (08650496857) and left Auli.

While returning an ITBP jawan asked if I can drop him to Joshimath. I said I dont have any problem. I asked 'girne se dar to nahi lagta?' He said 'Ji nahi. gir gaye to phir uth jaayenge'. Thats like an army guy.

Dropped him near Joshimath market at around 14:30. I was on schedule. Packed my stuffs and proceeded to GMVN, Gopeshwar.

Today it was Mahashivratri. Gopeshwar was bustling with activities. People had flooded markets. Chat wala, khilaunewala, Ice cream wala were busy tending queues of customers. It seemed like a movie scene.

Checked into GMVN. I had whole of dormitory. Slept early after a nice warm bath.

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Excellent till now! Please carry on.

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Really nice pics, made my day at the office after a meeting......

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Amazing pictures. Great t'log
By the way, how did the avenger performed?

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

is it completely reliable to take such bikes?

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Hi,
Some amazing captures.
Loved it.


Sent from my Micromax AQ4501 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Haha. Nice that the pics helped you recover from the meeting

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Thank You andy0104 for the kind words !
Avenger rocked. I didn't faced single cold start problem throughout. It ran well on snow and stone.
Powerful enough for this route.

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Absolutely reliable

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Part 5 - Deoria Tal trek

Today's plan included trek to Deoria Tal. Deoria Tal has its reference in Mahabharat. It's the same lake where 4 of the Pandavas dies by drinking lake water without answering the Yaksh's questions. They were brought to life only when Yudhistir answers all the questions. I like part especially the question and answer between Yudhistir and Dharmraj.




Route marked in black is a direct route between Gopeshwar and Ukhimath. Chopta, Chandrashila and Deoria Tal lies enroute. This route was closed due to heavy snowfall. I had go around and reach Ukhimath via Rudraprayag.




Direct road is 60km and the longer one via Rudraprayag was 130km. I had no options but to take the longer route. Braced for the longer route followed by trek after that, I left the place around 08:00. Reached Ukhimath around 12:30. Construction work and bad roads considerably slow down the speed.

GMVN Ukhimath is beautifully located on a mountain. What can be more pleasant than sitting on a chair in the small garden of the resort sipping chai or coffee and eyes fixed on the snow clad peaks. Beautiful town of Guptkashi lies on the other side of the river.





Chai at GMVN, Ukhimath




View from GMVN, Ukhimath


Settled in the dormitory. I was alone here too all the dormitory beds were mine.
Ordered Aloo paratha and chai. Both were delicious. I asked the GMVN in charge if he can arrange a guide for me. Although one does not need a guide to trek Deoria Tal. I was skeptical of the weather and heavy snowfall.

He came with a young man and introduced him. He said Namaste sir. I said eeh. Don't call me sir. And we became friends Waited for another half an hour until the rain slowed.

Left GMVN resort at 13:30 and rode till Saari village, 15km from Ukhimath.
Wind was very cold. Had another cup of tea in Saari and started ascending.



Chopta peaks




Beautiful Saari village




Saari village and Chopta peaks in the backdrop


Walkable stone path is present from Saari village right upto Deoria taal. We didn't took any major break just once, when heavy snowfall started and we had to take shelter. We didn't saw any trekker enroute neither on top. We took around 2 hours to reach the Tal.



Deoria tal trail


Just as we reached on top another round of heavy snowfall started. View was truly amazing. Did a parikrama of the lake, spent 1 hour and started descending. We could not see Chaukhamba peaks as it was hidden by clouds.







Deoria Tal




Deoria Tal




Deoria Tal




Poser pic at Deoria Tal




Prayer flags at Deoria Tal




Fresh snow




Beautiful bird at Deoria Tal

We were half behind the Saari village and snowfall started again. This time stronger than before. We took shelter in makeshift place. We started again when the snowfall reduced and reached Saari village at 17:45.


It was pouring throughout the route till Ukhimath. Reached GMVN Ukhimath and we both had Coffee.

Its difficult to describe sipping hot coffee while its raining amidst tall mountains.

Repeated Aloo Paratha in the dinner

Will post the last part soon..

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Amazing shots. Himalayas is a so beautiful place

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Simply awesome!

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Great update!! wow

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

Thanks itsmevini123 ! Yes Vini, Himalayas are truly enchanting..

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Part 6 - Beatles Ashram and 3 Sanyasis


Today's plan was to reach Rishikesh and handover bike to Ashok ji. Local sight seeing in Rishikesh and attend Ganga aarti in Haridwar.

Checked out from GMVN, Ukhimath and left for Rishikesh at 09:30. Two times Aloo Paratha, 4 coffee, 4 Tea cost me Rs.120.

Ukhimath to Rishikesh was around 182km. I rode throughout enjoying the scenery and mountain curves.



Enroute Rudraprayag from Ukhimath


Did my lunch at the same place in Srinagar. They were happy to see me and asked if my journey was good.. This time it was Rajma Chawal.
When the time cease to exist we tend to enjoy things the most. Journey was so involving I didn't remembered when I reached Laxman Jhula. Placed my luggage at Mountain Fox Adventure.



Route map


I roughly had 5 hours in the Rishikesh. I didn't had any fix list for Rishikesh but had thought of seeing Laxman Jhula, renowned Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Swarg Ashram, Beatles Ashram and Ganga aarti. 5 hours were enough for all these. Creeping through the lanes of Rishikesh on the bike, I reached Laxman Jhula in 5 minutes. Laxman Jhula is a narrow suspension bridge usually filled with tourists and locals crossing the river. People use Ram Jhula as well to cross which is little down the river.

I was surprised that bikes were allowed on that narrow bridge. Honking and moving slowly crossed the bridge. Went to Parmarth Niketan Ashram first, but didn't knew what to do here. So just took note of the things and moved to Swarg Ashram. Repeated the same in Swarg Ashram.

While returning from Swarg Ashram I spotted a beautiful ghat in front of Gita bhawan. It was tempting.
Although it was bright sunny day, I didn't mind walking on the hot floor of the ghat and sitting on the lowest stair next to Ganga.



Ganga ghat in Rishikesh


Scene was heavenly. Ganga was very fast here. Faster than what I saw elsewhere. Water was clear and greenish. My eyes was stuck in the midst of the river over the sunshine and I was lost in thoughts.
I didn't knew when 2 hours passed.

Started my bike towards the last one in the list.

Maharshi Mahesh Yogi ashram or Beatles Ashram it is know popularly is not easy to locate.
From the main road which goes towards highway just after the taxi stand a kutchha road in the right hand side goes to Beatles Ashram. Ashram gate is around 100 meters from the main road.

It was constructed in 1960s later the area was declared part of Rajaji national park and they had to close down the ashram. Fair amount of foreigners come to this place wishing to see the place where Beatles stayed and composed.

Parked my bike in front of a closed metal gate. Inside the gate a 50-55 year old man in kurta was talking with a foreigner. I called that man and said I want to see the Ashram. From no angle that place seemed to be an ashram it was just fallen structures amidst jungle. He said its 5 PM and its closed. I said I have come a long way to see this. Finally I was able to convince him. He took my driving license and said go carefully its jungle on the other side with no boundary walls. I said Ok. The place was already getting dark.

Stoned footpath leads to the main compound or courtyard. I noticed a tiny bird very fast and restless. Wasted my 10 minutes to capture it in camera.



The restless bird.


Ashram had around 130 concrete Kuti equipped with air conditioners and public address system. Once the meditators went inside the Kuti they locked themselves and meditated in seclusion. Beatles too did this.
Place seemed poorly maintained. Creepers covered the building walls. Doors and windows were broken.
Since I didn't had a guide, it was just walls and doors for me.
I saw jungles starting so returned back.



Foot path in the Ashram




Flowers in the Ashram




Kuti


2 more old Sanyasis were sitting beside the man who took my DL.
Asked the man if I can have my DL back since I have to return Haridwar today itself.

He said sit we are not going to take your DL. After basic introduction of each other a good piece of conversation started. I remember the exact words. I said 'मुझे आध्यात्मिकता के प्रति झुकाव है. योगियों को ढूंढने की कोशिश भी की मैंने'

No one said anything.

Then I asked two old Sanyasis 'आप दोनों ने कब संयास लिया'
One of them who was preparing chilam spoke in a deep voice 'अरे हमें तो चालीस हो गए'
I further spoke 'आपने तो चालीस साल में काफी साधना की होगी और आपने सन्यास क्यों लिया'

Offering his chilam which I respectfully rejected he shared his story very briefly of how he retired from his life. Meanwhile the man who took my DL returned and sat next to me keeping his left leg folded on his right thigh.

It was then, I noticed his elephant like leg. He was rubbing his huge foot with right palm which only had 2 full fingers rest were half or less than that. It was getting dark and scene seemed quite scary in the jungle.

Sanyasi continued 'चालीस साल में मैंने हर घाट का पानी पिया है। अब तो मेरे अपने बच्चे ही मुझे नहीं पहचानते। यहाँ के योगी और साधुओं से बच कर रहना बाबूजी ।'

He continued 'आज कल के गुरु गुरु घंटाल हैं। सच्चे योगी मिलना बहोत मुस्किल हैं । ऊपरी हिमालय में शायद मिल जाये पर वो दूर रहना ही पसंद करते हैं।'

I asked him how do they survive in extreme cold place like Badrinath in loin.
He replied 'योग बाबूजी। बहोत शक्ति है इसमें पर मुस्किल भी है'। I said I know Pranayam. He said 'ये सब नहीं कुण्डलिनी सुना है आपने।'
I nodded affirmative and name 3-4 chakra which I remembered.

He said 'जी। इनमे से मूलाधार चक्र जो मेरुदण्ड के अंत में होता है उसपर ध्यान लगते हैं योगी।
और उसे क्रियान्वित करते हैं। उसके सक्रिय होने पर बहोत ऊर्जा उत्पन्न होती है। जिससे उनको भयंकर ठंडी में भी पसीने छूटते हैं। पर ये तो कुछ नहीं है उनके लिए।'

I was fascinated and asked them did you people tried this. He said 'हमने हर घाट का पानी पिया है' But I knew he was lying. A yogi cannot have chilam in his hand but I remained silent and continued listening him.

'अरे हम तो शमशान में भी सोते हैं। शमशान जानते हो ना। हमें किसी का भय नहीं' he said penetrating my eyes with this deep glare. Suddenly the other person itching his elephant leg with his damaged finger said 'अरे ये तो कभी कभी शमशान में सोते हैं मै तो हर दिन ही मरघट मे सोता हूँ, ये जंगल किसी मरघट से कम है क्या? आपको पता है यहाँ क्या होता है। '

He sounded scary. I intervened and said I think the discussion is going elsewhere and also I am getting late.
But they didn't let me go next we discussed on Bhiksha vritti, role of sanyasi towards society, how Vedic dharma is different, role of marriage, role of grihasth towards society, etc.

In the end, I came to know that the other twoSanyasis were disciples of Mahesh Yogi. They showed me some real photographs of the ashram, Beatles and Mahesh Yogi with themselves. I was getting desperate to leave, asked for my DL, handed that man 30 rupees, took my bike and rode back to other side of Laxman Jhula.

While returning went to German bakery which didn't stood to expectation.
Handed my bike to Mountain Fox Adventure and left for Haridwar.

Shared tempos are available but I took a private one for Rs.100 as I had to catch bus from Rishikesh bus stop as soon as possible.



Ganga aarti at Rishikesh


Some photos from Haridwar:



Enroute Haridwar


Ghats - Haridwar






Morning bath at Har ki Pauri








Chains of spirituality




Childrens at Har ki Pauri searching coins

Re: 6 days of winter in Himalayas - Solo - 2015.

A brilliant thread! One question - which camera did you use?