City youths return with thumping victory conquering Mt.Nanda Devi Wast & Milam Glaciers.

‘Like any other child I too was bubbling with lots of energy, raring to go to the mountains with lots of vigour and valour to see the historic trade route between India and Tibet’, says Miss Niyatha P Koundinya of Manasarowar pushkarini vidhyashrama mysore.

Mt. Nanda Devi is the second highest peak in the Indian Himalayas, one of the most majestic peaks and worshipped as Goddess in Uttarakhand and touted by many as one of the most beautiful peaks in the world.

Flag off:In Mysore it was flagged off by Everester Col. Satish Sharma, SC, VSM, Governing council member of Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi.

Obeisance:

As per the tradition of the organisation the trekkers had been to Amritsar to pay their obeisance at Golden temple and paid rich tributes to martyrs at Jallianwallah Bagh and later visited Wagh Border and watched retreat ceremony and were infused with the fresh lease of patriotism raising the slogan “Hindustan Zindabad” which remained an etch with them throughout the trek.

Trek:

The Trek started from Munsiyari (7600feet), a small hamlet town of Pithoragarh on the banks of the Gori Ganga, which emerges from the Milam glacier system of the eastern flanks of the Nandadevi sanctuary, fed also by the Kalaband glacier and Panchchuli from the east.

Movement:

Mr. J S Rathore., Sub Divisional Magistrate of Munsiyari gave the inner line permit and a momentum to the expedition by advising the trekkers to refrain from littering plastics in the mountains and wished them well for the rough and tough trek.

Day-1: Distance 10kms-Lilam-6100feet.

The showers welcomed us on the first day of the trek and it warned us to be prepared for the challenges ahead, we trekked down the valley and reached the Lilam Bridge and from there, it was steep ascent to the Lilam Post. We interacted with a Homeopathy doctor, a school principal and a PWD official near the ITBP out post.

Though in the city people have all the comforts, but we still crib on it. But the people in the mountains bring out happiness with what-ever little they have, which was a lesson for we urbanites says Punya Nanjappa, of St Joseph Central School, Mysore.

Day-2: Distance 16kms-Bugdiar-8300feet.

We started the trek after signing at ITBP post and proceeded to the next camp and we were extensively warned by the agency in the beginning of the days trek to be extra vigilant at the rail gadi pool which is a death zone for the trekkers in case we were negligent and after few kilometres of the trek we came across the spot and with due diligence we crossed the area.

Rail Gadi Pool:

It was basically a huge water fall we had to pass underneath the waterfall and one small diversion of one’s attention can slip one into the deep valley.

Hot Water springs:

Enroute after trekking about half a day’s distance we came across a hot water springs, where trekkers relaxed. Bathing there it is believed clears skin disease and physical exertion.

We trekked along with the Gori Ganga River and passed through beautiful bugyals (Valleys) which was a feast for the nature enthusiasts.

Broken bridge:

This day we had to encounter many challenges which was foreseen by the agency and informed to us on the email prelude to the start of the trek. We placed few logs and stones and crossed these bridges using ropes and successfully made way for others too.

By evening we reported at ITBP Bugdiar post which is at a height of 8500ft and we camped beside the Gori Ganga River which is one of the best camp site says Master Soorya D Rao of Cochin.

Day-3: Distance 16kms-Rilkot-9600feet.

After two hours of ascent we came across a shack near Nahar Devi temple were we sipped tea and relaxed for some time. Here we sought the blessings of the Nahar Devi and started to walk on huge glaciers in a row and this day no body will forget. It looked like it was destined that our destination will never come. The trek was quite a treacherous and drained out the energy of many seasoned trekkers, says Dr.Rashmi Vivek, team doctor and Deputy Team leader of the expedition.

By the time last person reached it was way past 8pm and that treacherous it was!

Day-4: Distance 12kms-Ghanghad-Summit Camp-12000feet.

After having taken the toll of the previous day the trekkers were reluctant to listen to the agency person as he told the distance but never-the-less we had a dream destined as Nanda Devi Base and we all started towards Ghanghad.

Climax:

Mules which were accompanying us from the base camp had runaway previous night owing to sever cold in the Rilkot. When one questioned Muleteer Mr.Muna Singh, he said we will get them in no time and it was almost 12noon.When the mules didn’t pass ahead of us it was worrying factor for our logistics and ration.

We sat midway near the Martoli and were contemplating to return incase we don’t get the mules. That would be a retreat to the Rilkot, another four treks on the reverse direction. But alas! The mules were traced in Bilju village and were brought back, a tense moment for more than 2 hours.

The trekkers moved to the Ghanghad via mapa village and came across the golden grass which gives different perspective of the territory we were trekking. In evening round 5pm we reached the camp site, but to our fate the ration was yet to reach and we were destined to stay in a ruined house to escape from the chill breeze and biting cold.

It was around 8.30pm in the night we could hear the sound of bells ringing in the mules coming towards the camp we all breathed with ease. At last we got the ration to cook and sleeping bags and tents to save ourselves from biting cold.

Day-5: Summit-10kms-Nanda Devi East Base-14000feet.

After usual prayers in the morning we all embarked to Nanda Devi Base camp and we trekked amidst the bugyals and glaciers and ascended a height of 2500feet and after three hours of trek we reached the dream destination of every adventure that had come for, the expedition Nanda Devi east base which was at a height of 14000ft.

After hoisting the tricolour and the expedition flags we shot the pictures of the summit and offered prayers at the Base. Then we saw the views of Nanda Devi East Base and Nanda kot and retreated back to the Summit camp Ghanghad in the evening.

‘Happiness and cheer was seen on the face of the every trekker as the purpose for which we came was fulfilled today’ said Mr. Lakshman Raju, Team Leader and Treasurer of IAMAS.

Day-6: Milam-14kms-11500feet

After due reviews and discussion with the guide it was decided that instead of going with the original plans of going to Zero Point of Milam Glacier and then retreating to the Milam Post. But destiny was some thing else as the make shift bridge between the Ghanghad and Milam on the Gori Ganga river had collapsed so we had to go back to mapa village via river side and then go to Milam Post.

After trekking for more than 6 hours we reached the Milam post and here we had new challenges to apprehend, that was breeze and biting cold. Amidst all this our trekkers had taken the challenges as it came and even played a ten over match with the Indo-Tibet border police force at a height of 12500feet,they won the match and we won their hearts. We were given warm reception by the commandant and were given brief activities of the force and its duties.

Day-7: Milam Glacier-Bilju-14kms-12000feet.

We trekked to the Milam Glacier from where the gori Ganga River is formed and flows down after two hours of trek we reached Zero Point of Milam Glacier and took some pictures with the tricolour and expedition flags and retreated to the Milam post.

We had the views of Milam Glaciers, Mt. Hardeol, Mt.Rhino, and Mt. Trishuli.

At this post we had satellite phone facility and we all called our near and dear ones and shared our happiness of making two summits in the season.

After a hot lunch at the Milam Post we trekked almost for two hours amidst the Gravel Mountains to reach Bilju village. It was destined village for the photographers to capture the amusing moments of first rays of sun-rise on the majestic Nanda Devi.

Day-8: Martoli-14kms-12000feet

All the photo buffs got up as early as 4am in the morning and started ascending the peak adjacent to the Bilju village and staggered around a point to capture the best movements of the golden rays on the Majestic Nanda Devi East, Nanda Kot, Mt. Hardeol, Mt.Rhino, Mt. Trishuli and Milam Glaciers.

After breakfast we left for Martoli and we came across ITBP soldiers ascending towards the Milam post and we were descending and we shared our experience and they congratulated us for the feat we have achieved.

We reached Martoli after brief ascend of 1500feet and this was the best camp site designed in the whole program from where we could see the bugyals, Mt Hardeol, Mt.Nanda Kot, Mt. Martoli/Rhino, Mt Chhangush, Mt. Trishuli, Mt. Rishi Parvat and Milam Glacier says Master Vishal Narayan VV of Lions Sevanikethan School, Gokulam, Mysore.

Here we visited the Nanda Devi temple and paid obeisance to the goddess and sought her blessing to reach the home safely.

Day-9: Bugdiar-20kms-8600feet

It was a hectic day for all of us as we had to traverse a distance of 20kms on foot and that too a total descend of 8500ft. It was testing times for all of us as we had to control our speed of descend to avoid our knees from jerking.

After trekking for more than 10hours we reached the camp site around 5pm and stayed in the PWD guest house.

These expedition boost the moral of a person, builds leadership qualities, teaches you to take decision in crisis, it instils confidence in person to face the challenge in life says Master Karthik KM of St Joseph Central School, Vijayanagar, Mysore.

Day-10: Lilam-16Kms-6100feet

After accomplishment it was more of a descending and all had to be careful as most of the accidents happen while coming down only. With the grace of god we all reached the Lilam post safely.

Day-11: Munsiyari-10Kms.

There was much of excitement in the trekkers to reach the base camp as early as possible and get in touch with the near and dear ones, so all of them made sure they left early and reached by lunch time and called back home and shared the fond memories of the trek.

Team Leader:

The team was led by Mr.Lakshman Raju, an employee of state bank of Mysore, Main Branch and the treasurer of IAMAS and ably assisted by Dr.Rashmi Vivek and Master Karthik KM of St Joseph Central School, Vijayanagar, Mysore.

Certificates:

In the evening we had great gala dinner with the legendary citizen of Milam Village who was invited to share his prelude to trade, between the India and Tibet and the after effects of china war history and he distributed the agency certificates to the participants.

Prelude to the expedition:

In Mysore, trekkers had tough training at Chamundi Hills, Kunti hills, cycling to KRS, endurance test at Open air theatre and Medical test at rotary centre. But the Nero Linguistic Programme by Mr. Ramakrishna PK came very handy in solving many problems of the trekkers says Mr.Mahaveer Jain of Mysore.

Organised by:

The Expedition was organised by International Academy of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (IAMAS) and Rotary Mysore Adventure Corps to Mt. Nanda Devi Base camp, Martoli Base and Milam Glacier in Pithoragarh District, Uttarakhand from April 24 to May 15, 2012.

The Expedition was coordinated by Rtn. PHF.D.S.D.Solanki, Founder of IAMAS, and Mr.Somnath pal of STEP, New Delhi and Rtn. PHF Chittaranjan TK, President of Rotary Mysore.

The teams Members are Mr.Lakshman Raju, Dr.Rashmi Vivek, Mrs.Parvathi Menon, Mrs.Shri Gowri, Miss.Kanaka Jain, Miss.Punya Nanjappa, Miss.Architha Raja, Miss.Niyath P Koundinya, Miss. Hithaishi V Kumar, Mr.Mahaveer Jain, Mr.Veeresh Kumar, Mr.DSD Solanki, Mr.jitendralal, Master Karthik KM, master Vrishab r, master. Kushal MS, Master.Anirudh Shrihari, Master.Soorya D Rao, Master.Alex, Master.Aditya D Rao, Master.Yash V Raj, Master. Rahul Rajpal, Master.raghav R, Master.Rohith patel, Master.Akash kuttappa, Master.Sanchith, Master.Vishal narayan vv, and Master.Vishesh jain.

HIGHTLIGHTS:

1) LARGEST CIVILIAN EXPEDITION TO NANDA DEVI EAST AND MILAM GLACIER IN LAST 50 YEARS.

(40 PARTICIPANTS FROM KERALA, KARNATAKA, MAHARASTRA, DELHI, PUNJAB AND 7 MULEETERS, 2 COOKS 2 GUIDES IN TOTAL 51 PEOPLE).

2) A TREK OF 152 KMS.

3) YOUNGEST BRIGADE FROM SOUTH INDIA TO SUMMIT ON THE NANDA DEVI EAST BASE AND MILAM GLACIER. (THE BATCH HAD CHILDREN FROM 12 TO 16 YEARS).

4) FIRST BATCH TO OPEN THE ROUTE AND SUMMIT AT ALL THE THREE PLACES.

5) THE PARTICPANTS REMAINED ABOVE 3650 METRES FOR SIX CONSECTIVE DAYS, BRAVING THE TEMPERATURES OF MINUS 4 DEGREES CENTIGRADE AND BRAVING A WINDSPEED OF OVER 50 KMPH, PLAYING A CRICKET MATCH WITH ITBP AT 3424 METRES.

6) NO HEALTH ISSUES OR MOUNTAIN SICKNESS, AND HAD VERY CLEARVIEW OF MT. NANDA DEVI, MT. HADEOL, MT. TRISHULI, MT. RISHI PARVAT, MT.RHINO, MT CHHANGUSH AND MILAM GLACIER.

7) ROUTE: LILAM-BUGDIAR-RILKOT-GHANGHAD-SUMMIT-MILAM-BILJU-MARTOLI-BUGDIAR-LILAM.