26th August, 2010. 7:30 AM
As usual Shubhodip was the first to wake up. It wasn’t raining but it was cloudy and was sure shot going to rain. Had hot roti and sabzi for breakfast with chai and coffee. Today we were happy that we dint have to carry that heavy luggage to top. Just took all our important stuff, camera, food and jackets and started or hike towards Dharwa top. We started at around 9:00Am. The other group guy Arshad had started before us and was suppose to meet us up there. We had to trek along the stream which eventually flowed into Dodital. Several time we had to cross the fast flowing, cold water stream; adventure but fun though. I seriously think that this trek is an Ideal rainy season trek. The cold water, chilling our feet was in a way a refreshing treat.
Soon we came to a point where the trek gets steep, real steep. Slowly and steadily we dragged ourselves to Dharwa top. The valley if full of flowers, very similar to the Valley of Flowers trek. Sometimes I felt, this place is more worthy than the valley of flowers. Many people say that Harkidun Valley is the real valley of flowers; I guess I will have to agree with them, because there are certainly many other places in the Valley of Gods, which are naturally more beautiful than the Valley of Flowers itself. Well that apart, stunning view along with the mist and fog/clouds, we were at Dharwa Top by 12:30PM.
We were happy and unhappy. Happy because our accomplishment and unhappy because the weather hadn’t opened up. It was still very cloudy and drizzling a bit. The magnificent and mind boggling views, of Bandarpoonch and Swargrohini peaks were missing. They were hiding behind the clouds. I am pretty sure all were thinging to themselves “what if we were at Kedartal and this thing would have happened?” So I guess it was a smart decision from all of us, to do a relatively easier trek, which could be enjoyed in the rainy weather. Ceratainly it was a smart decision to head back via the same route to Uttarkashi. Because the kind of luggage we had it would have been terribly difficult for us to cross over Dharwa pass. Soon the weather Gods had little mercy on us.
They decided to give us the fruit for our hard work. The sun came out, winds were blowing and clouds started clearing. Nope, it still dint help as the peaks were still hiding. Nevertheless got some fantastic panoramic vies of the ridges and valleys. Soon again we were clicking a photos. Wait a second!! Wasn’t someone going to meet us at the top? Soon we realized Arshad and his guide managed to find meat for us. Yes a goat was injured and it seemed difficult for it to survive. It soon became our dinner. We paid 200rs for 2kg of meat, cheap isn’t it.
We made a new friend at Dharwa top. A bhotia dog, cutest of all I have ever seen, I called him Sheru. He posed for our cameras. Not for food though, when we fed him chapatti refused to eat. Apparently he had smelt the meat too!! After spending about hour and a half we decided to head back to Dodital. Sheru followed me for most of the route. He stopped when I stopped and walked when I walked. He was a wonderful company. I asked him to lead and go ahead, and the guy just left. I presume, in no time he would have been at the lake. 4:00PM we were back at Dodital and guess who was waiting for us there, yes it was Mr Sheru!! He belonged to the local shepherd there staying near dhaba. While waiting for our dinner to be cooked the skies got clear, sun came out; the same old story. I manage to capture some decent silhouette’s in front of the sunset. After a long wait, the mutton was finally ready!! Had our dinner and headed back into our sleeping bags preparing for the long 22km walk back to Sangamchatti. The mutton was awesome, perfect with rice. Had soyabean curry to accompany with it!!!
As usual Shubhodip was the first to wake up. It wasn’t raining but it was cloudy and was sure shot going to rain. Had hot roti and sabzi for breakfast with chai and coffee. Today we were happy that we dint have to carry that heavy luggage to top. Just took all our important stuff, camera, food and jackets and started or hike towards Dharwa top. We started at around 9:00Am. The other group guy Arshad had started before us and was suppose to meet us up there. We had to trek along the stream which eventually flowed into Dodital. Several time we had to cross the fast flowing, cold water stream; adventure but fun though. I seriously think that this trek is an Ideal rainy season trek. The cold water, chilling our feet was in a way a refreshing treat.
Soon we came to a point where the trek gets steep, real steep. Slowly and steadily we dragged ourselves to Dharwa top. The valley if full of flowers, very similar to the Valley of Flowers trek. Sometimes I felt, this place is more worthy than the valley of flowers. Many people say that Harkidun Valley is the real valley of flowers; I guess I will have to agree with them, because there are certainly many other places in the Valley of Gods, which are naturally more beautiful than the Valley of Flowers itself. Well that apart, stunning view along with the mist and fog/clouds, we were at Dharwa Top by 12:30PM.
We were happy and unhappy. Happy because our accomplishment and unhappy because the weather hadn’t opened up. It was still very cloudy and drizzling a bit. The magnificent and mind boggling views, of Bandarpoonch and Swargrohini peaks were missing. They were hiding behind the clouds. I am pretty sure all were thinging to themselves “what if we were at Kedartal and this thing would have happened?” So I guess it was a smart decision from all of us, to do a relatively easier trek, which could be enjoyed in the rainy weather. Ceratainly it was a smart decision to head back via the same route to Uttarkashi. Because the kind of luggage we had it would have been terribly difficult for us to cross over Dharwa pass. Soon the weather Gods had little mercy on us.
They decided to give us the fruit for our hard work. The sun came out, winds were blowing and clouds started clearing. Nope, it still dint help as the peaks were still hiding. Nevertheless got some fantastic panoramic vies of the ridges and valleys. Soon again we were clicking a photos. Wait a second!! Wasn’t someone going to meet us at the top? Soon we realized Arshad and his guide managed to find meat for us. Yes a goat was injured and it seemed difficult for it to survive. It soon became our dinner. We paid 200rs for 2kg of meat, cheap isn’t it.
We made a new friend at Dharwa top. A bhotia dog, cutest of all I have ever seen, I called him Sheru. He posed for our cameras. Not for food though, when we fed him chapatti refused to eat. Apparently he had smelt the meat too!! After spending about hour and a half we decided to head back to Dodital. Sheru followed me for most of the route. He stopped when I stopped and walked when I walked. He was a wonderful company. I asked him to lead and go ahead, and the guy just left. I presume, in no time he would have been at the lake. 4:00PM we were back at Dodital and guess who was waiting for us there, yes it was Mr Sheru!! He belonged to the local shepherd there staying near dhaba. While waiting for our dinner to be cooked the skies got clear, sun came out; the same old story. I manage to capture some decent silhouette’s in front of the sunset. After a long wait, the mutton was finally ready!! Had our dinner and headed back into our sleeping bags preparing for the long 22km walk back to Sangamchatti. The mutton was awesome, perfect with rice. Had soyabean curry to accompany with it!!!
click below for pictures
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