Kullu to Lahaul via Hampta Pass - Sept 2017

Sept 23, 24 :

Our original plan was to trek in the Parvati Valley to Lahaul. Continuous rain forced us to remain in a guest house in the village of Pulga - the starting point of the trek - in the Parvati Valley.

In one a the few periods without rain, I clicked this picture of a Shrike.

Grey-backed Shrike, Pulga

Since our guide felt that the crevasse laden Pin-Parvati pass would be hard to negotiate after several days of fresh snowfall in September, we decided on a change of plans. We would attempt the Hampta Pass route - a trek route over the Pir Panjal range to cross from the Kullu Valley to the Lahaul Valley.

Late afternoon on the 24th, we decided to move to a campsite above Hampta village.



 We reached the camp site much after dark. It is only the next morning that we could see this magnificent rock cliff under which our camp was located.

Map shows the Hampta pass route between Kullu and Lahaul valleys over the Pir Panjal range

Sept 25: Road Head To Chika (3000 m)

Map showing trek route

Our trail follows the Hampta Nala - a tributary of the Beas - to its source in the range dividing the Beas and the Chandra (Chanab) watersheds.

Sept 26: To Balu ka Ghera (3600 m)

The trail continues along the Hampta Nala.

In the evening, we go for an acclimatization hike. Our campsite can be seen far below.

Height gain walk takes us up here. Balu ka Ghera camp site seen below

Sept 27: Cross the Hampta Pass ( 4275 m) to Sheagoru campsite (~ 3950 m)

We gain height steadily as we approach the pass.

Looking back at the trail - 11.56 am

At the Hampta pass, Indrasan in the background

Indrasan (6220 m) and Deo Tibba (6001 m) to the right

We descend down into the valley shaped by the glacier coming down from Indrasan. The Sheaguru campsite is located in the valley. The snow covered peaks of the Chandra Bhaga range of  Lahaul are visible in the background.

Peaks of the CB range in the background

Glacial valley

Sept 28: To Chhatru (3360 m) and then by road to Chandratal

The trail now follows the Chhatru Nala coming down from Indrasan and joining the Chandra. Crossing the stream provides some anxious moments.

Eventually the Chandra river and the settlement of Chhatru are visible from above.

View of Chhatru and Chandra river from the trail

Chandra river

A walk along the Chandra brings us to the road head at Chhatru from where we take a Jeep to Chandratal.

Himalayan Trek 20, Sept 2017