![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 1/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Our friend, guide, as we start our journey from Haridwar.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 2/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Day 1: We board the only Govt. bus to Chamoli at 5:00 a.m.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 3/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Our first breakfast stop after Devaprayag![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 4/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We enter the Shivalik ranges. The roads are ridden with landslides.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 5/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
As we enter Rudraprayag. There are five Prayags; confluence points of two rivers![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 6/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Wherever you go in Uttarakhand, rivers are your guardian angels![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 7/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We finally cross Karnaprayag. Confluence of Alaknanda and Pindar rivers. I am in![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 8/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
It's an eight hour tiring bus ride![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 9/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Rakya asks the waiter here, "Kitne saal se hotel khula hai?", "Khane mein namak ![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 10/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
From Chamoli we take a cab to Gopeshwar (12 km). The drunk guy on right asks us ![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 11/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
From Gopeshwar we head to Mandal (13 km), where we're supposed to start our trek![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 12/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Locals at Mandal warn us about heavy snow deposition at Rudranath.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 13/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We're tired, but we trek 5km uphill to Anusuya Devi, which'll be our halt for th![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 14/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Dense jungles start and the path gets steeper. We're heart broken, Rudranath was![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 16/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
It gets darker and more beautiful. Damn date stamps.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 18/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
This is our stay for the night. Hardly five people stay in Anusuya Devi![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 19/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Our dinner's being cooked by Ranuji, the one man force behind Hotel Lodge. Dal, ![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 20/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
It's cold and we make ourselves warm. We meet a jovial hippie Maharaj ji.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 21/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Rakya looks for his cozy spot. The ceiling is ridiculously low.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 22/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Day 2: One of the most beautiful mornings I have woken up to. You never hear bir![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 23/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Anusuya Devi temple![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 24/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Pose to banta hai![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 25/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Rudranath next year! We head towards Atri Muni cave. It's a 2 km walk.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 26/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Posers![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 27/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
This part, near Atri Muni cave is dangerous. One slip to the left and you're don![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 28/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Maharaj ji helps us![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 29/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Waterfalls besides Atri Muni cave. You can trek behind the falls.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 30/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
On our way back we meet Swami Akhileshwarananda, who's been doing saadhna here s![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 31/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Swamiji asks us questions in electronics, as he has a keen interest in it. He he![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 32/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We trek back the same day to catch a bus to Chopta, where we'll trek towards Tun![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 33/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
A bridge has broken down on the way, and everybody in the bus lends a hand![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 34/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
The bus makes it :)![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 35/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We reach Chopta. It's freezing here and there's no electricity. We stay without ![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 36/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Day 3: We trek up to Tungnath at 6:00 a.m. A dog joins us. Tungnath is at 12,073![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 37/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
There's snow along the way. Makes the path extremely slippery![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 38/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
This, THIS is priceless![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 39/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Long way to go. We're already taking breaks because of less oxygen.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 40/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We finally see the village.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 41/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
It's dipped in snow. Locals are clearing up the place. They leave this place fo![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 42/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Trekking on snow without the right shoes can be dangerous. The dog leads the way![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 43/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Jai Tungnath! A 'save the girl child' campaign.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 45/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
12,073 ft![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 46/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
The dog shall be pampered, for it has loyalty, and we have food. Soon after it j![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 47/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We try to trek up to Chandrashila from there (13,000 ft), but lose our way becau![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 48/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Posers pose - 2![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 49/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Posers pose - 3![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 50/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We decide to climb up Chandrashila anyway. It's a 70 degree climb as we can't fi![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 51/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
By the time we reach the peak, our lungs are exploding.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 52/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Moon God spent time in penance here, hence the name.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 53/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
You get a beautiful 360 degree of Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Kedar peaks. You're at![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 54/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
The temple at Chandrashila peak![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 55/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
A local helps us find our way down, as we can't trek down on snow.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 56/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
The tip is Chandrashila![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 57/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We come down to Chopta.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 58/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
The Shahi Paneer at Bugyaal hotel here is delicious. The higher you go in the Hi![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 59/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We head to Joshimath, the same day. Cabbies don't travel after sunset because of![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 60/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Day 4: Next day we head to the Tehsil office for a permission to travel to Badri![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 61/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We sit and plan the next two days. Nagar Palika elections full power in Joshimat![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 62/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We head to Auli.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 63/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We take a ropeway from where, it's 4 km to the top.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 64/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Auli is very touristy and not much fun![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 65/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
The bugyals are beautiful though. There's snow in the jungles above.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 66/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Our maggi stop. We learn about the 4-day Dronagiri trek here.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 68/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
There are flags full power everywhere in the Himalayas![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 69/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Day 5: We trek up to Bhavishya Badri. It's the most steep climb we've done in th![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 70/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
There's step farming everywhere. Reminds me of Aizawl days![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 72/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Meeting locals along the way![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 73/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
You look back after a while, and it's difficult to figure out where you started![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 75/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We reach the Bhavishya Badri village. It's a 3 km even steeper climb from here, ![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 76/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Mountain water is the tastiest water can get.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 77/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Dronagiri and Nanda Devi peaks![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 78/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Bugyals on the way![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 79/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We finally make it to the top. Here, at Kali Shankar Math, we meet Tyagi Baba wh![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 81/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We talk to Tyagi Baba about faith, spiritual-materialistic balance, yoga, and li![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 82/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Bhavishya Badri is 500 m further uphill![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 83/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
As per mythology, the Nar and Narayan ranges will move towards each other making![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 84/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
As we trek down, maggi beckons again. We meet the shopkeeper's kids. Kailash and![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 85/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We head to Helong (15km from Joshimath) the same day, which is in the middle of ![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 86/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We're lucky to get an under construction room. There's electricity only after 6:![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 87/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Day 6: From Helong we head to Kalpanath via Urgam and Devgram villages. It's a 4![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 88/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Everyone's so nice in the villages. Kids greet you with a Namaste.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 90/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
People call tourists as Bangalis in many villages there. Talks about their love ![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 91/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We cross Devgram village![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 92/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
There are thousands of these along the way, in houses at Devgram![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 93/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Flag full power![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 94/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We finally reach Kalpnath. The first Kedar in the Panch Kedar circuit.![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 96/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Locals tell us about a Sundervan Baba who stays further 3 km inside Sundervan de![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 97/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We decide to explore the jungles. They're dense and scary. Kalpaganga river gush![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 98/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We spot Baba's kutir. He's nice. Baba is an IIT Kanpur grad who loved travel bef![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 99/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
We have two more visitors. The man on left was Rajiv Gandhi's PSO. There's a you![Photo of Himalayan Hiking Chronicles (Part One) 100/100 by Sarthak Satapathy]()
Baba knows lead vocalists from Shillong based bands like Mojo and Soulmate. We lThere's always a reason. In the Himalayas, experiences happen to you, you don't plan them in advance.
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