Mt. Nanda Devi on left from National Park I shivered. There was a whiff of cold air from the window through some crevices. I looked out. The valley and Alaknanda river at a distance was lit with late moon light. I was staying at 'The Himalayan Abode', a beautiful home stay at Joshimath. I looked back at Arvind who was engrossed with his laptop, still tense and researching on what he and his team members experienced and heard on their trek to NANDA DEVI NATIONAL PARK.
I had arrived a day back at Joshimath from Rishikesh. Though I had expressed my limitations due to age to accompany them on this tough though most scenic trek, I had agreed to come to the base town of Joshimath to make arrangements and in case if they need help.
Arvind and 4 of his friends form REC Warrangal had returned from the trek today and though his friends went to sleep early, Arvind sat with me and narrated the most incredible story of their adventurous trek and associated staggering historical facts of divine beauty and power of NANDA DEVI PEAK surrounding the park and mysterious happenings around this second highest Himalayan Peak.
For convenience, I have split the narration into3 parts which is written here in 3 sequential posts:1/World's top trekking adventure experience at biosphere ecosystem at Nanda Devi National Park2/Mysterious death of a beautiful American girl and divine power of Nanda Devi peak3/Failed CIA covert spy ope of a nuclear device on Nanda Devi peak. Danger looms even today?
Part 1As told by Arvind:“Uncle kiran, this was the most awesome and memorable trek in our lives.The Nanda Devi National Park is the first and foremost core of the NDBR (Nanda Devi Bio Reserve) and most valued property. It has an area of 624.6 Sq. Km. and has an average altitude exceeding 4500m to 5200m, is surrounding by high mountains ridges and peaks on all side except its western side, which features a deep and virtually inaccessible gorge. Some of the important peaks encircling the Park are Dunagiri (7066m), Changbang (6864m), Kalanka (6931m), Rishi Pahar (6992m), Mangraon (6765m), Nanda Khat (6631m), Maiktoli (6803m), Mrigthuni (6655m), Trishul - I , II , III (7120m), Beathartoli Himal (6352m), Nanda Devi east (7434m), Nanda Devi main (7817m), Devisthan I, II (6529) and Hanuman (6070m) peaks are situated in the park.We heard 2 legends on Nanda devi Peak.The first was: Nanda Devi, the Godess of Bliss, is one of the incarnations of Parvati, the consort of Shiva and the manifestation of Shakti. Her paternal home is in Kumaon, and the myths and legends surrounding her are the basis of the spirituality and culture of these ancient hills.The second was: that the hand of Nanda Devi ("She who gives bliss"), daughter of a local king, was demanded in marriage by a marauding prince. War ensued, her father was killed & she fled, eventually finding refuge on top of the mountain, now bearing her name. She is protected by a ring of mountains 112 km in circumference containing 12 peaks over 6,400, in height & in only one place is this defensive ring lower than 5,500 m, at the Rishi Gorge, one of the deepest in the world. It is the place for sages (rishi).”He sipped his coffee and was lost somewhere. Then he looked at me and continued.
JOSHIMATH - TOLMA : DRIVE 3 HRS : TREK 4 HRS : OVERNIGHT - CAMP“On day1, we drove to Suraithota 30 kms from Joshimath, further trekked to Tolma a tiny village situated at a altitude of 2680m. The trail till to Tolma was steep , we crossed on the way, Suraithota and a small stream and a dense forest to reach our campside. We made our camp above the Tolma village. The camp side was a small flat part inside a forest where a beautiful water stream was nearby. We had reached through the rich forest ot Thuner, Kail, Ddevdar and Surai. Uncle, what an inspiring trail it was!”TOLMA - DHARANSI PASS : TREK 7-8 HRS : OVERNIGHT – CAMPOn day2, “Uncle Kiran, this trek was the most scenic and memorable in our life. From TOLMA to Satkula and Dharansi pass is steep and rocky. One can have difficulties after 2 km trek from Satkula when the rocky surface begins to enter the pass: but we had some equipment brought by the guide and we managed it. At Satkula had to cross seven roaring streams coming from Nanda Devi snow-clapped ranges. Awesome!
The Pass was a long steep trek with many ascents and descents until the Nanda Devi comes into the view when crossing the Pass. There was something divine and mysterious about Nanda Devi Peak! We could feel it!! Dharassi Pass was our camp site where water was available. The Pass was inside a huge dense forest where we saw some wild animals and exotic birds. Sorry, I don’t remember the names! There was a beautiful small meadow from where we panned and enjoyed the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. What a beauty and what views it offered of awesome peaks! Uncle, we were in heaven! "
DHARANASI PASS - DIBRUGETHA : TREK 4-5 HRS : OVERNIGHT - CAMP.Day3,“From Dharanasi Pass to Donidhar then to Dibrugetha, was a beautiful trek through dense forest and streams. We were lucky to see black bear and Monal bird. On return,
from Donidhar to Debrugheta is a steep descent of 750 m till one cross the improvised bridge over the stream. I think, you would understand, words can’t explain the beauty of these awesome places!”
On the trail from Lata Kharak
DHARASSI PASS - LATA KHARAK : TREK 5-6 HRS : OVERNIGHT CAMP.Day4,From Dharassi Pass to Bagfyana was a descend but we had to be very careful while crossing a roaring stream at Bagfyana. The trail passed through a very narrow gorge at Satkula. The camp at Lata Kharak was situated on the height of 3689m and high plateau was surrounded by towering rocky Pinnacles. There was a magnificent views of Kunwari pass, Auli, Tapovan and Urgam Valley and Lata Village.
LATAKHARAK – LATA VILLAGE – BACK TO JOSHIMATH : TREK 4-5 HRS : DRIVE 2 HRSDay5,“Well, this was our last trek back. We descended 1524 m with a break at Belta, the trail led through inside the thick forest till Lata Village. Really enjoyed the Lata Village temple and their culture. Further treked down to Lata road head where our jeep was waiting for us. Drove back to Joshimath, visiting on the way Tapovan (Hot Spring).
Now, I should tell you what we heard about the mysterious death of a beautiful American girl mountaineer who was a daughter of a great mountaineer who climbed The Mount Everest and the second story of a mysterious covert operation by CIA. We heard this from a resident and a retired professor of History, Mr. Negi at Lata village.The historical facts are..........”For Nanda Devi Trek, I recommend to visit Garhwal Madal Vikas Mandal site and seek all information. The trek arranged by them is good and ECONOMICALhttp://www.adventuretrekking.org/nanda-devi-national-park-trek.htm