|
Title : Shitidhar Climb (5294 m)
Category : Peak Ascent
Duration : 10 Days
Location : Himachal
Season :
Grade : Moderate
At 18,000 ft plus, Shiti (white) dhar (peak) is the perfect
introductory peak for mountaineering. It is ideal for trekkers
without climbing experience, wanting to summit a Himalayan peak
. It’s south face offers a straightforward but challenging route
to the summit. Shitidhar’s accessibility makes it doubly
attractive. The base camp, by the emerald Beas Kund, the source
of the Beas, is just a day’s trek away from Manali. The climb
offers spectacular close-up views of Hanuman Tibba on the west,
and in the distance, to the east, of Indrasan, Deotibba and the
lesser mountains of the Pir Panjal.
Day 01 : Delhi – Manali (1960m)
Board kalka Shatabdi leaving Delhi at 7:40 am to reach
Chandigarh at 11:00 am. Drive 8 hrs to reach Manali late in the
evening. Alternatively drive12 hrs straight from Delhi to Manali
Overnight Hotel.
Day 02 : In Manali (1960m)
Easy start to the day. After breakfast get the equipment for the
climb sorted out. Fit yourself in your climbing gear (climbing
boots, crampons and your harness).
Post lunch spend time exploring the town. Options to visit the
Hadimba temple, the Vashisht hot water springs or the Roerich
Art Gallery in Naggar.
Day 03 : In Manali (1960m)
After breakfast drive (2hrs) up to the Rohtang pass (4000m) and
hike 2-3 hrs to get acclimatized. Lunch at the pass and drive
back to Manali. Last minute shopping if any and pack up for the
climb.
Day 04 : Manali – Bakkarthach (3328m) 1hr drive and 3-4
hrs trek
After an early breakfast drive (1 hr) via Palchan and Solang
Nallah to Dhundi,(2850m), the starting point of the trek. The
short walk goes along the river Beas before crossing it and then
ascends steepily to reach the grazing grounds of Bakkarthach.
DMAS (Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports) runs a
semi permanent camp here and uses the surrounding area to train
mountaineers.
Day 05 : Bakkarthach – Beas Kund Base Camp (3586m) 2-3
hrs
A steep climb for an hour from the camp brings us to the Beas
Kund glacier on the south facing slopes of the mighty Pir Panjal
range. A short walk over the moraine from here brings us to the
planes of the Beas Kund dotted with a numerous small streams.
Depending on the access to the snow/ice we set up Base Camp.
Beas Kund is a small water body on the true left side of the
glacier draining one of the many trickles which join to form the
mighty Beas. It is considered to be the source of the river.
Legend has it that Rishi Vyas, the author of the great epic
Mahabharata and Vedas would meditate up at the Rohtang Pass area
and would come for his daily bath to this lake.
Day 06 : At Base Camp (3586m)
Spend the day around the base camp practicing movement on snow /
ice. Get familiar with the use of your equipment. Learn the
ropes and the how to arrest a fall on the slope.
Day 07 : Base Camp – Camp I (4653m) 5-6 hrs
Trek Beas kund to Camp 1. A short acclimatization walk in the
afternoon.
Day 08 : Camp I – Summit (5294m) – Base Camp (3586m)
Wake up early in the morn and after a quick bite get ready for
the climb up to the summit. It’s best to be up at the summit
early in the morning to make the best of the weather and get
good views. Descend down to the base camp and party in the
evening.
Day 09 : Base Camp – Manali (1960m) 3-4 hrs trek and 1 hr
drive
Trek Beas kund to the Dhundi, the roadhead and drive back to
Manali. Overnight hotel in Manali.
Day 10 : Manali – Delhi
Drive Manali to Chandigarh and board the Kalka Shatabdi leaving
at 18:20 to reach Delhi by 21:40. Alternatively drive 12 hrs
from Manali to Delhi.
|
