Roop
Kund (
Mystery Lake)
This attempt was made in June First Week
- This is strongly suggested not to try
this route in this season if you are not
used to climbing techniques.
HISTORY: RoopKund becomes famous when large
number of Human bones was reported. After
that explorers and scientists have tried
to explain the mystery but it helped in
deepening the mystery rather solving it.
Two theories have emerged and one is that
these bones are of Gen.Zorawar Singh of
Kashmir and his men who were coming back
after raiding China-Tibet in 17th Century.
Second opinion, which is also believed by
locals, is that large numbers of people
visiting Homkund were trapped in avalanches
and snowstorms and got killed. Not even
a single man survived to tell the true story.
It is situated in CWM of Trishul and this
is again a positive factor for unpredictable
change in weather in Himalayas. At 5025
Mtrs. I have very good Idea what and how
it could have happened as I myself gone
through very tough time there.
PHASE - (1) It was my plan to see Roop
Kund solo. Although solo trekking in Himalayas
is not advisable but one can not help if
he could not find any partner. Specially
in a society where scales to judge about
good or bad is purely MONEY. But last minute
change happened and my younger brother decided
to go with me. He had been to high altitude
with me. Together we stand on 5242 Mtrs.
High Lalanti la in Kunnaur. A dedicated
sportsman and now Lectr. of Physical Education
at Stamford International college, Hua Hin,
Thailand. We started our journey from Punjab
and reached Haridwar ,early morning. A long
and tough bus journey and we reached Karan
Prayag. Next day after changing jeeps, one
broke down bus...we reached Mandoli and
climbed up for Lohajung. It was 4.0 PM when
we were pitching tent…on a open slope...near
Forest rest house.
PHASE-(2) We were told that June is not
for Roop Kund and it is all snow laden trek
and its not open yet but as we have traveled
so far and liked the air of the mountain…so
we decided that we will give it a try ,otherwise
we will camp somewhere and after good rest
of seven days...we will descend down) We
started from Lohajung at 6.45 Am and reached
WAN at 12.0 AM. After lunch and at 1.0 PM
we were again out on trail….it was
drizzling which very soon become heavy rainfall.
We have to take shelter for some time…and
we again started the grueling climb of Bhagwa
Basa. It was a tough climb and I remember
that with heavy rucksack on my shoulders,
I was interested in making a halt in between
but somehow I kept on walking step by step
and we reached Bedni Bugyal at 5.0 PM. It
was cool but sunny evening with clouds settled
in valley and sharp colors of sky, mountain
and green.
PHASE - (3) Next day we started at 7.0AM
and it was day of gaining altitude. Soon
snow patch started and we were on a steep
climb of Kalua Binayak, which we came to
know later that nobody could cross before
thatin June. Slope was almost in front of
our face but soft snow gave ample opportunity
for kicking and climbing. Problem lies in
anchors as we were having only one Ice axe
and our guide happened to be in love with
that.Everyone faced trouble in climbing.
We reached upper crest of the ridge and
looked down…it was dangerously high
exposed ridge and we were not having any
security. Very soon snowfall started and
we decided to create hot coffee under a
overhang which was only shelter posing shear
fall ...if anybody slipped.
PHASE - (4) We reached Bhagwa Basa but
not without tackling with loose surface
of snow which cracked under our feats. And
many times I have to tell everyone that
they should make their own footsteps, as
surface is week. But when we reached Bhagwa
Basa we were shocked to see that neither
there was enough place to pitch tent. Somehow
we erected a loose Dome tent and I spent
one of the toughest nights I had in Himalayas.
Roop Kund was in clouds and doing hide and
seeks with us. Bur its sheer appearance
was giving a ghostly look, giving a further
truth to gory history of its.
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