Bedni In Snow - WHITE WASHED

Nothing of Bedni was left, what we left in the morning. I could hardly spot a blade of grass, it was snow all around. To be honest, Bedni looked spectacular. Forget the green meadows, this is heavenly. 

At Bedni then.. White washed!

We had lunch cooked by Surendar for us and sat for a while relaxing, thinking that the Snow fall would stop now. It dint until, close to 5.45pm. It was almost 6 hours of nonstop heavy snowfall and what followed was the most mind-boggling  sight awaiting at the meadows. There was this typically evening low light, but instead of being orange, it had an amazing bluish tinge to it. Very much like the Twilight! Roamed around a bit, too few pictures, before it started to get too dark. Had dinner and off to sleep for the day.

Oh! Almost forgot of the incidence that happened with the Indiahikes bunch of trekkers! Apparently a bunch of 20 trekkers started from Didna, about 8 km from Bedni Bugyal at 8.00 in the morning. Most of them were first timers in the Himalayas. Few were foreigners, some of them arrived at Bedni at almost the same time I did.  A few followed later and there was one who apparently was with the head guide of Indiahikes, dint arrive until very late. They were last spotted at Ali Bugyal and later a search party went to look for them. After much delay they arrived at about 8.30 – 9.00 pm. Next morning I learnt the lady was a first timer in Himalayas and dint look in a shape to be ready for a trek like Roopkund! 

Whom to blame had anything wrong happened, the lady who dint knew her capabilities or the so experienced and well informed so called guides of Indiahikes. With all due respect, the Indiahike owner group are some of the most amazing trekkers in the country, but I think they need to start screening whom they take for which trek. A beginner, not very fit, should not even think of attempting Roopkund, instead should be advised for a trek like Har-Ki-Dun etc. But.. who am I to say.. 

Bedni to Wan/Van

Trekking down is always fun for me, cos I am very good at it :D .. We woke up pretty relaxed today. Did not really hurry to reach out and get a glimpse of snow. Today’s plan was to get down to Wan and drive further ahead to Devaal so the following days travel would be lighter. Bedni was glowing under the bright sunlight and white snow and mountains had shades I had never seen before. After few early morning shots and chores, I had my breakfast and decided to take lead over my guides. I was quite comfortable, because now I knew the route. Well it’s so obvious that you will have to try real hard to get lost on this route.. 

Was really looking forward to the peace and oneness with the nature and was not disappointed either. Honestly I was leaving Bedni with a sad heart, because I couldn’t get the glimpse of the golden orange glowing Trishul at the sunset. But anyways, was happy to see what I did. 

Soon I crossed Patal Nachuni and an amazing sight of Trishul amidst the trees awaited me. Few pictures taken and a little ahead the Himalayan Pheasants were rumbling on a pine tree. They were what I think the female Monal’s. 

Brisk walk, brought me to Neel Ganga and was joined by Surendar and Bhagat on the way. Quite fast those boys were, but they dint expect me to make so much ground either. Had I walked non-stop they would have caught up with me not before Rani Ki Dhar. A short stop at Neel Ganga and we began our final, disappointing climb to Rani Ki Dhar. By 1 pm we were at Wan village. Hardly took us 2 – 2.5 hours to reach Wan from Bedni. 

There I was greeted by Mohan Singh, thanks giving and payment settlement, followed by Maggie lunch and we were off to Lohjung in almost retired JEEP. From there I managed to find another jeep heading towards Devaal. Where I stayed in a local decent guesthouse.