Day8: Gala To Budhi (21kms)
DAY8: GALA TO BUDHI (21KMS)
Gala: 2322 mtrs
Budhi: 2686mtrs
Distance: 21 kms
Time taken: 11 hrs
Today was supposed to be one of the most exciting and adventurous days of the entire journey. The day as usual started early. The initial 2 kms of the trek was pretty plain but then came the most arduous part. WE had to descend down 4444 steps (as told by the locals) carved out of the mountain, to reach to the base of furious but Holy Kali river. The steps are carved out of the mountain to make it a bit comfortable but still its not easy coming down a steep descend, it was really hard on few yatries knees. It was actually so steep that even those using pony had to do it on foot.
After a steep descend of about 3 kms WE were finally on more or less level course walking along river Kali. The force of river River Kali has to be seen to be believed. I mean the force and the noise was so much that I could not even hear the person standing next to me talk. Also River Kali forms the natural border between India and Nepal on its western front.
Walking on level ground and enjoying River Kali flowing with full force was a beautiful sight. Soon came Lakhanpur where we had our breakfast. After Lakhan Pur, WE had already from previous experiences to keep our raincoats handy as WE would be passing under waterfalls from here.Then came the most exciting 3 hours.
The route from here got narrower and narrower. At some places it was only as wide as 2 feet. At one side was the mountain and on the other side, just beneath was river Kali waiting to swallow anyone who fell. What added to the adventure were the water falling right on the track. Not just did the water make the track slippery but it also made your shoes your clothes and everything else wet. A very good quality raincoat is a must here.
Also adding to the above excitement was the crossing of other yatris, returning from their trip, right at this point. Humans are ok, they understand, they can wait till you have enough place to pass each other. But what about the mules, they just steam ahead, and you have to be the one to stop and make way for them. There was an incident, in few batches, sometimes a pony fell down into River Kali and sometimes yatries and was never to be found again
In our earlier briefings WE had been well prepared for this route and WE realized that the instructions came in pretty handy here. The instructions were.
1. Walk in a single file, avoid overtaking.
2. Avoid photography as you might fall off trying to get the perfect angle.
3. Never lean on the railing as the railings were old week and corroded.
4. If an animal has to be given way then it’s imperative that you stand on the mountain side and let the animal pass on the river side.
5. Walk slowly as the rocks are slippery.
The excitement slowly finished and WE were filled with grief as WE reached malpa. Malpa is the site of the tragic landslide of 1998 where around 400 people including yatris lost their life. Original town is still covered under rocks. In earlier years Malpa would have been our halt for the night but after the landslide incident it was decided that yatris went ahead till Budhi. So Now Malpa was just a lunch point.
From Malpa the curving trail along Kali lead us to Lamari where our ITBP men were waiting for us with a smile to serve us hot tea and snacks. The route was not as treacherous as before but it was still exciting. The force of kali grew stronger as we moved ahead, waterfalls though not falling on our head but still marred the complete route. The path was not wet but was still uneven.
The last stretch of the route was across a quaint bridge which leads to the Budhi camp. Budhi appeared pretty close from here but on mountains the distances can be deceptive, it still took us a while to reach Budhi.
Infact the route was so scenic and so mesmerizing and took few yatries a little more than 11 hours by foot but every minute spent on this route was amazing
PICS FROM DAY 8
Google map view of the route from Gala to Budhi
Approximate elevation of the route
Yatris crossing the post of Jipti
Wild flowers along the route
The route was pretty leveled in the beginning
A small temple just before the descend
Mountain highway and the milometers
Then came the 4444 steps. Notice the 3 kms long descend till River Kali
River Kali forming the natural border between India and Nepal
Uttrakhand Police Jawan. he was the "tail"
Breakfast at Lakhanpur
A porter carrying load on his head on Nepal side
Breathtaking views all along river Kali
Crossing of the batches...
Our route along the river
It was slippery and it was rocky, but it was fun
Route made by carving the mountain
Mighty Kali flowing with full force
Trust me its not east walking for 21 kms on a stretch like this
"Mule train" ahead, carrying our luggage
Beautiful streams flowing all along and all over the route
The local government has done a good job by making bridges where required
A stream joining Kali, notice the difference in colour
Then came the big waterfalls, a good raincoat is a must here
You would not want to loose concentration and slip from here
More waterfalls
The town of Malpa where we had Lunch
Still some distance to go before our final destination
Route got a little less slippery after Malpa
waterfalls big and small all along the route
Lamari where refreshments were served
Its a tough life but they still smile
I cant get enough of these waterfalls
Yatri enjoying The Kali flow
A landslide where the path just disappeared
The camp of Budhi in sight!!
But WE had to cross this bridge before reaching it
Budhi River
Finally Budhi camp
Budhi Camp
Breath taking views from the camp
A panoramic view from the camp
At these camps electricity is only available for 2 hrs and the charging points are at a premium
End Of Day8
DAY8: GALA TO BUDHI (21KMS)
Gala: 2322 mtrs
Budhi: 2686mtrs
Distance: 21 kms
Time taken: 11 hrs
Today was supposed to be one of the most exciting and adventurous days of the entire journey. The day as usual started early. The initial 2 kms of the trek was pretty plain but then came the most arduous part. WE had to descend down 4444 steps (as told by the locals) carved out of the mountain, to reach to the base of furious but Holy Kali river. The steps are carved out of the mountain to make it a bit comfortable but still its not easy coming down a steep descend, it was really hard on few yatries knees. It was actually so steep that even those using pony had to do it on foot.
After a steep descend of about 3 kms WE were finally on more or less level course walking along river Kali. The force of river River Kali has to be seen to be believed. I mean the force and the noise was so much that I could not even hear the person standing next to me talk. Also River Kali forms the natural border between India and Nepal on its western front.
Walking on level ground and enjoying River Kali flowing with full force was a beautiful sight. Soon came Lakhanpur where we had our breakfast. After Lakhan Pur, WE had already from previous experiences to keep our raincoats handy as WE would be passing under waterfalls from here.Then came the most exciting 3 hours.
The route from here got narrower and narrower. At some places it was only as wide as 2 feet. At one side was the mountain and on the other side, just beneath was river Kali waiting to swallow anyone who fell. What added to the adventure were the water falling right on the track. Not just did the water make the track slippery but it also made your shoes your clothes and everything else wet. A very good quality raincoat is a must here.
Also adding to the above excitement was the crossing of other yatris, returning from their trip, right at this point. Humans are ok, they understand, they can wait till you have enough place to pass each other. But what about the mules, they just steam ahead, and you have to be the one to stop and make way for them. There was an incident, in few batches, sometimes a pony fell down into River Kali and sometimes yatries and was never to be found again
In our earlier briefings WE had been well prepared for this route and WE realized that the instructions came in pretty handy here. The instructions were.
1. Walk in a single file, avoid overtaking.
2. Avoid photography as you might fall off trying to get the perfect angle.
3. Never lean on the railing as the railings were old week and corroded.
4. If an animal has to be given way then it’s imperative that you stand on the mountain side and let the animal pass on the river side.
5. Walk slowly as the rocks are slippery.
The excitement slowly finished and WE were filled with grief as WE reached malpa. Malpa is the site of the tragic landslide of 1998 where around 400 people including yatris lost their life. Original town is still covered under rocks. In earlier years Malpa would have been our halt for the night but after the landslide incident it was decided that yatris went ahead till Budhi. So Now Malpa was just a lunch point.
From Malpa the curving trail along Kali lead us to Lamari where our ITBP men were waiting for us with a smile to serve us hot tea and snacks. The route was not as treacherous as before but it was still exciting. The force of kali grew stronger as we moved ahead, waterfalls though not falling on our head but still marred the complete route. The path was not wet but was still uneven.
The last stretch of the route was across a quaint bridge which leads to the Budhi camp. Budhi appeared pretty close from here but on mountains the distances can be deceptive, it still took us a while to reach Budhi.
Infact the route was so scenic and so mesmerizing and took few yatries a little more than 11 hours by foot but every minute spent on this route was amazing
PICS FROM DAY 8
Google map view of the route from Gala to Budhi
Approximate elevation of the route
Yatris crossing the post of Jipti
Wild flowers along the route
The route was pretty leveled in the beginning
A small temple just before the descend
Mountain highway and the milometers
Then came the 4444 steps. Notice the 3 kms long descend till River Kali
River Kali forming the natural border between India and Nepal
Uttrakhand Police Jawan. he was the "tail"
Breakfast at Lakhanpur
A porter carrying load on his head on Nepal side
Breathtaking views all along river Kali
Crossing of the batches...
Our route along the river
It was slippery and it was rocky, but it was fun
Route made by carving the mountain
Mighty Kali flowing with full force
Trust me its not east walking for 21 kms on a stretch like this
"Mule train" ahead, carrying our luggage
Beautiful streams flowing all along and all over the route
The local government has done a good job by making bridges where required
A stream joining Kali, notice the difference in colour
Then came the big waterfalls, a good raincoat is a must here
You would not want to loose concentration and slip from here
More waterfalls
The town of Malpa where we had Lunch
Still some distance to go before our final destination
Route got a little less slippery after Malpa
waterfalls big and small all along the route
Lamari where refreshments were served
Its a tough life but they still smile
I cant get enough of these waterfalls
Yatri enjoying The Kali flow
A landslide where the path just disappeared
The camp of Budhi in sight!!
But WE had to cross this bridge before reaching it
Budhi River
Finally Budhi camp
Budhi Camp
Breath taking views from the camp
A panoramic view from the camp
At these camps electricity is only available for 2 hrs and the charging points are at a premium
End Of Day8
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