A 4 km trek through snow which gets about knee deep at times takes one to Bhagwabasa. From there its a steep climb to Roopkund. At the time of the year when we went it was unusually cold and snow/ice had not melted. We didn't have crampons and ropes to navigate the steep slopes to Roopkund. So we never made it to the lake of skeletons.
The Chaukhamba peaks catching the first rays of the sun. The weather will close in fast and we will have to move fast to get to Kailu Vinayak. From Kailu Vinayak its going to be a long walk over snow. And if circumstances permit we will reach Baguabasa.
Early morning Trishul. Trisul is named after the trident of Lord Shiva (The trident is best viewed from Kausani). It is a group of three Himalayan peaks forming the South East corner of the ring of peaks enclosing the Nanda Devi biosphere. Its a North - South ridge with Trishul I as the northernmost peak.
Entertainment on the move on our way to Bedni Bugyal. I found the idea most ingenuous.
Cleaning up the shed for our overnight stay at Gueruli Patal. Unfortunately most tourists are still irresponsible about the trash that they leave behind.
Gueruli Patal. Night halt before we make the final climb to Bedni Bugyal next morning.
Guide Narendra unfastens our luggage at Wan. Wan has a pretty little tourist rest house where we halt for the night. Next morning we will walk about 10 Kms straight up to Bedni Bugyal.
Old man spins out thread from the wool that has been sheared off his sheep.
Hunters/smugglers but hard working, honest and poor men of the Uttarakhand Himalayas. They are going back down home after a long month of hard work in the snows and chilling cold around Roopkund. Check out Cordyceps sinensis : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable_caterpillar
Checking out the weather for our climb to Pathar Nachauni at 3963 mts.
Jit Ray has been a member since 11 November 2007 and goes by intothinair.
Currently in mumbai.
I work as a creative director with a magazine publishing house in Mumbai, formerly Bombay. However, my home town is Calcutta, now rechristened as Kolkata.
I have a wandering heart and have realised that photography is one way by which I can earn my freedom from the big city life.
Hopefully one day with all your help, I can fulfill my dream of traveling the world and bringing back the innocence and magic that disappeared over the years of growing up.
You can also find Jit at jpgmag.com/people/Intothinair.