June 2003

An Adventurous Trek in Kullu Part 2

14 June
Chris, Rajal and Radha climbed the hill to the immediate north of the campsite to try to get a view of the approach to Point - .5440. Chris reached a height of around 4655 metres and could see that whilst Point - .5440 was possible the approach was complex. On the other hand looking across the valley to the west, Point - .5205 seemed a more feasible peak with a reasonable approach.

Louise and Gerry walked up to Jaraun Thach and then on up the valley leading to Point - .5205 to recce the approach to that peak.

15 June
The only rest day on the entire trip!!

16 June
Walked up to a high camp at 4500m, on a steep slope leading up to the ice filed below Point - 5205. Vijay and Gerald who was feeling ill dropped back down to Parkachi Thach.

17 June
Chris and Rajal reached Point - .5205, which we named Jaraun Peak, setting out at 7am in cloudy weather, getting a break in the clouds as they reached the ice field which enabled them to find Point -.5205, a fine rocky peak with a steep snow gangway reaching its top. Tow 50metre pitches on steep snow led to the top of this subsidiary peak and the pair was rewarded with another clearing in the cloud to see the other peaks of the cirque rising to a superb peak of 5805 metres.

They got back down to the camp at Joara Thach that night.

18 June
The team dropped down to Shakti to catch up with Harish and the others.

19 June
A long hard climb in the rain through magnificent forest and a tenuous path to Bheda Thach, a clearing at 2780 metres.

20 June
On up to the crest of Garagarasan Dhar with magnificent views of Jaraun Peak and the Mathaun Dhar (the cirque which we just explored).

21 June
Climbed a grassy top Point -.3954m which we named Rakhundi, to get wonderful views and a group photograph.

22 June
We crossed a pass of 4020m (Dhela Jot)An exiting descent down a pathless and very steep slope leading down to a grassy ridge called Ghumtaraon at 3620m.

23 June
Another rainy day of ups and downs over subsidiary ridges and gullies through dense forest to Nara Thach .3200m

24 June
Another steep drop on a better path into the valley and down to Park huts at Ralla – 2200m.

25 June
An easy walk along an excellent path back to the road head at Gushaini.

Return
We drove by a new road via Shoja-Jalori Pass to Anni, with some excellent forest on both sides. The as a change we drove up to Thanedhar from the hot Satluj valley to stay in a very comfortable guest house. Next day, after enjoying the pleasures of Dhimla, we descended by the famous hill railway to Kalka and took the sleeper to Delhi

Gear
Needless to say I was using Berghaus gear as far as possible. I went for the Extrem layering system and found it ideal for trekking. Next to the skin I wore the Xtatic top which certainly wicks really well and even after ten days continuous use, wasn’t too smelly. Most of the time this was all I needed to wear as a top but if it got a bit cooler or first thing in the morning, I put on the ‘Fury’, with the ‘Paclite’ smock to go over that if it started to rain or snow. On my lower half I wore ‘Fastrek’ pants most of the time with ‘Paclite’ pants as over trousers when it rained. The Infinity Pro is ideal for extra warmth in the evenings and for use in emergency. For footwear I used the trusty ‘Explorer’ boots with the lightest of socks. I like the all leather ones and keep them well waxed. I also had a pair of Brasher Titanium poles. They are very light, strong and feel good. On our summit push I had a Mountain Technology axe, Charlet crampons and Sportiva boots.

Conclusion
This proved a really wonderful trek through wild and unspoilt hill country with glimpses of superb snow peaks. The Mathaun Dhar has seven peaks, all of which would give excellent and in the case of Point -.5805, challenging climbing.

Rimo Expeditions did an excellent job in organising our logistics while Harish as always did a wonderful job in planning our adventure, reacting flexibly to changing circumstances and ensuring we had a truly wonderful time.

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