Friday, December 28, 2012

Winter Visitor

Will came to visit for three weeks. I met him in Delhi and we checked out some art galleries and restaurants for a couple days. He then joined me at Woodstock for my last week of exams and meetings. Without a regular schedule of classes, I had quite a bit of time to show him around. Here are a few pics from his visit. 

(After a week in Mussoorie we headed to South India - photos to come!)

The beginning of the Mussoorie tour - Cozy Corner!

We added to the napkin collection at Kalsangs.

Haircut, clean shave, head massage, and an eyeball rub!
All for about $1.50.
Bandarpunch looking her best from Flag Hill.

Will sketching the mountains.





One of many social events: Masterchef Leftovers! (We
brought all the food items we wanted to get rid of before
the holidays and divided into two teams for a cook-off.)
Will was on the winning team.

I was not.

Paintings in the Buddhist temple in Happy Valley.


Happy Valley's Flag Hill.

Final Staff Banquet.

Bandarpunch at sunset.

Mussoorie and the Winterline (a natural phenomenon).



Friday, December 21, 2012

Activity Week: Kedar Kantha Trek

Photo cred: Raveen

Once again I landed a spot leading a Grade 10 trek for Activity Week. We headed north of Mussoorie to Govind Pashu National Park in the Uttarkashi district (the same area we've been trekking for the last two years). This year my trek was to Kedar Kantha, which is across the river valley from last year's Rupin Supin trek. 

Day 1: After a day of bus travel from Woodstock to Sankri Village, we woke up in our roadside campsite just outside the village. I briefed the group on expectations and safety and we hit the trail. We spent the entire day walking uphill through deciduous forest and finally entering a more predominantly coniferous forest. Our campsite at Juda Talao was a spacious, hilly site with a black lake!


Getting ready for our first day of hiking.
Photo cred: Raveen


Taking a breather.
Photo cred: Raveen




Photo cred: Raveen

Journaling time at Juda Talao.


Reading in my tent.
Photo cred: Raveen
(He's wearing a donkey hat, which makes this photo
funny.)
Photo cred: Raveen

Ready to get some chai!
Photo cred: Raveen


Afternoon chai.
Raveen


Day 2: From Juda Talao we gained further elevation. Another day of totally uphill trekking, but this time with stunning views of the mountains. We indulged in a long lunch break to enjoy the panorama before heading up past the tree line to a campsite at cold and exposed Barinya. 

Thawing in the morning sun.
Photo cred: Raveen

Group shot before hitting the trail.
Photo cred: Raveen

View of Juda Talao from above.
Photo cred: Raveen


Morning snack break.
Photo cred: Raveen


Taking in the views.
Photo cred: Raveen



Swargarohini (part of the Bandarpunch range at a height
of 20,500 feet)


Photo cred: Raveen



Lunch spot.


Photo cred: Raveen
 
Group shot.
Photo cred: Raveen

Photo cred: Jana

Photo cred: Jana



Boys being cavemen.
Photo cred: Raveen



Photo cred: Raveen


Photo cred: Raveen

First glimpses of snow.


Arriving at our campsite. Kedar Kantha peak looming in
the distance.


Self-portrait inside my tent.


Cold campsite.





Photo cred: Raveen



Stunning sunset



Day 3: Summit Day! We woke up to a light dusting of snow and overcast skies. We trudged uphill for a few hours in cold and windy conditions and made the summit by the late morning. From there, we started our traverse down the opposite side - scrambling down some steep, barren slopes and leisurely walking the ridgeline. We ended up at another exposed campsite at Dunda. 


View from my tent in the morning.


Looking down at our campsite.


Paul and our guide taking a break. 
Photo cred: Raveen

 
Photo cred: Raveen


Snow!
Photo cred: Raveen



Kedar Kantha Summit! Unfortunately without any views.


Our summit day was also the day of Dussehra, a Hindu
festival. Our guides did a pooja on the summit and
shared some coconut with us. 


Photo cred: Jana



Happy (and cold) summiters!


Group shot at the summit.
Photo cred: Raveen


The steep descent.
Photo cred: Raveen



Our lead guide.


Ridge-walking.
Photo cred: Raveen


Photo cred: Raveen


Photo cred: Raveen


Day 4: After summiting we expected to start our descent. Instead, we found ourselves walking a surprisingly long distance along the ridge. There weren't many steep parts, but we did end up gaining more elevation - eventually reaching a higher point than our summit! It was a long day that ended with our guides not knowing where our camp was and a few illnesses and injuries to boot. We made our camp at Talavti. 

Before the sunrise.


Warming up with chai.


Pre-breakfast walk to the ridge.

On top of the ridge.
Photo cred: Raveen


Morning walkers.
Photo cred: Raveen



Frost shimmering in the morning sun.


Mountain breakfast.




Ridge-walking.

Photo cred: Jana

Photo cred: Raveen





Photo cred: Raveen


The trail got pretty treacherous in spots - loose rocks,
icy trails. 




Tang + Snow = Snow cone!

Our highest point (more than 13,000 feet).


Celebrating with sledding!


Curious to see the sledding photos.
Photo cred: Jana



Our campsite finally within sight!


Cooks making dinner.


Day 5. From Talavti we descended down to the road. We re-entered thick coniferous and deciduous forests and enjoyed a slightly warmer and less exposed walk. We passed through the village of Taluka and met our jeeps at the road there. We jeeped back to Sankri and stayed at our first campsite before heading back to Woodstock the next morning. 


Group shot at Talavti.

Village of Taluka.


Drying amaranth.


Walking through fields of amaranth.