2012-09-28-Nandadevi Base Camp - Milam Glacier - Ralam Valley

My first multiday Himalayan trek along with fellow trekker Kunal to Nandadevi East Base camp, Milam Glacier and Ralam Valley in the north eastern corner of Uttarakhand starting from Munsiyari – an amazing experience it was.

Starting from the altitude of 2100 meters at Munsiyari and going all the way up to 4600 meters when we crossed the Brijgang pass to enter the very colourful Ralam valley and having 2 amazing and freezing cold camping nights at 4000 meters at the Nandadevi Base camp and just below Brijgang pass (felt as if we are right at the foot of the mountains). Always having ever changing weather (Sun, Rain, cloudy, Snowfall all within a matter of minutes sometimes) and the amazing Himalayan views of Nandadevi massif, Hardeol, Trishuli, Rishi Pahad, Martoli peak, Johar valley, ever  colourful Ralam valley, Brijgang Pass and the always following Gori Ganga and Ralam rivers  for company there was never a dull moment.

The trek would not have been possible and as much fun without our team of Guide Porters and cook. We had Gangaram (guide - # 9456542753), Manoj (cook) and Pralhad and Dharmendra (porters) as our team and of course fellow trekker Kunal.

Some days were easy like trek to Lilam, Bugdiar, some days long and tiring with killing inclines for kilometres like trek to Nandadevi East Base camp, Brijgang Pass base and then to the top and some plain long road walk or trail walk like Ghanghar to Milam and further to Tola and lastly long stretches of downhill which really took toll on our knees like Brijgang to Ralam and further to Lingrani.

Met some very nice people along the way- The kind ITBP officer at Rilkot who gave us an option to stay in the warm fibre hut and have food with him, the couple at Burphu village who served us the best tea and noodles ever with herbs added for warmth, offered us place in their house if we wanted to call it a day but in both instances we had to decline due to our plans to camp most of the days to really enjoy the Himalayan views and whatever the mountains had to offer us. Not to forget our stay at Pandey Lodge at Munsiyari with amazing home made type food, room service and hospitality.

Some experiences worth mentioning – the amazing rest and mountain views we had at our 4000 meter campsite of Nandadevi east, Brijgang pass base, Tola village, sun bathing the ITBP camp at Milam while Kunal was trying to have a bathJ, enjoying the nice sunset views at Paton village campsite on our last camping night and getting intoxicated there on local wine and beer.

We also tasted some edible wild fruits of Temar and Shepla with unique sweet and tangy taste, and ate fresh farm produce of onions and Muli from the farms of abandoned winter villages of Tola and Milam and the attempt by our team of porters to take a dog from Tola and goat found mid way to Munsiyari – but both their plans were thwartedJ.

And who can forget the rest day at Munsiyari, watching Soap operas and whatever other stuff the channel churned out on DD1 (since no other channel available) and the amazing time had during lunch time at our guide Gangaram’s place with the whole team to celebrate our trek completion.

I would not bore you with the other details; the story is in the photographs.

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Cheerz

Zen