User:Indiatrekker

Rupin pass

Folk lore has it that time when earth was still young and the sky almost all the time blue. There were two sisters very gifted but somewhat vain and quarrelsome. One was Rupin - the beautiful, fair and quick tempered. The other was Supin – the swarthy supple but quiet. One day they saw a youth rising like mist from the mountains. He was actually mist- calm, insidious, intangible; with his mysterious touch he could transform trees in to fairies, crags into a brooding sage and mountains into sleepy isles. Both sisters wanted him to accompany him on their playful walk through the heavenly glade and experience the surreal feeling.. Before Mr. Mist –calm could decide, the sisters had a fight on who will join him on this romantic journey. Finally exhausted and tired of arguments they fell to earth- on the same mountain which divides Baspa and Tons basins today. Supin the supple one twists and turns in the high gorges and joins Tons at Sankri; Rupin the fair one, runs a straighter course down to Netwar, to meet her sister in Tons. The mist still hangs heavy on both the rivers, particularly in the Monsoons…still waiting for the sisters to decide who will join him on the ride up the heavenly glade.

Tourism :
Rupin –The beautiful River, Nestled in the Himalayan state of  Uttarakashi this place is filled with so much of pure beauty true to its name that takes your breath away. Just like the way images change in a digital frame the sights along the way to Rupin change so dramatically that makes you want to nudge further  to see what lies ahead.

The trail from Dhaula- gosangu has marvellous views of Rupin and villages hanging by the hillocks beside Rupin. Camp here at Gosangu and proceed further the next day. Gosangu- Jhaka via jiskun has long climbs but you will be huffing and panting away but the sights that behold you makes every step well worth it reach Jiskun the last village in Himachal Pradesh and time to replenish your stock another ½ walk gets you the Jhaka which will be you camping halt for the night. Please be aware of the fact that no meat is taken here. The next hike in the morning is from Jhaka to Buran Kandi/saruwas thatch via Uduknal. This stretch was mostly climbs with one gentle walk in between. Jhaka is the last stop to replenish your stocks and fix up porters, mules etc., for the ascent up to Rupin pass. The hike from here to Rupin pass is mostly uninhabited and the path is defined by the trodden ways of the shepherds with their flock. From here just enjoy the pure magic of the breathtaking views that surround you. Rupin is no longer the icy blue waters but very crystal clear. Along the way experience the boulders walks and hop on many spirulets of Rupin, and then out of now where you see a water gushing out a huge boulder and open grasslands, You have reached Buras Kandi, If you are not quite satisfied with the camping place Saruswa thatch another grassland is only a kilometre away. Camp here for the night & then proceed to Dhanderas thatch…

The ascent from Buras kandi to Saruswa thatch is so scintillating and as you pass the trail u see Rupin  flowing beside you and out of nowhere u see a land filled with Rhodendrons of all colours. As you walk further along you can catch a glimpse of Rupin waterfall as you reach Saruswa thatch you can see Rupin  gushing out a small gorge. As you climb a bit further you see such varying sights that take your breath away. lots of rivulets joining Rupin  to begin their decent along with her into the waterfall, lush green meadows and yellow marigolds,  white snow patches here and there and a snow bridge to cross and soon as u step on the other side u reach a plateau with Rupin  waterfall gushing down and  meadow beckoning you to camp there…You have reached  Dhanderas thatch (lower water fall)  as you reach Dhanderas thatch acclimatize yourself to the top of the waterfall hike and  don’t try the Rupin  pass as the altitude gain is 4000 ft, Try to get to the top of the waterfall and watch Rupin  coming crashing down on the plateau below. Enjoy this sight and savour a moment or two and hike back down to Dhanderas thatch to camp for the day.

Next day begin your hike up to the Rupin pass. Via Rati pheri. The climb upto the fall is something you would have experienced nudge yourself and walk a little further and lo behold it is the wide vast expanse of undulating snow fields in front of you, gone are the lush green meadows and Rupin flowing beside you and the birch forests, Now you are  in the land of snow plentiful. From here u get a glimpse of Rupin pass in the ridge line of Dhauladar ranges. Continue on further taking careful steps on the snow and ice and maintain a single file not forgetting to immerse yourself in the beauty of the alpine slopes and you reach the Rupin Gully, the ascent is steep and the pass is narrow, and as u reach the top of the pass you can see the Sangla mountain on the other side…Rejoice at the thought of reaching Rupin  pass and then the descent begins. The descent is mostly sliding down to Ronti Gad most of the way and trudge your way along as you reach more manageable path on the ice and camp at Ronti Gad and the next day begin your descent to Sangla. The trail from Ronti Gad to Sangla is broad and descends steeply into Sangla. From Sangla catch the bus to Shimla.

Access:
Rupin pass is at an altitude of 15250ft above MSL and to reach here  follow the Dhaula 5,100 ft to Gosangu 6,300 ft.11 kms. Via Sewa - Gosangu 6,300 ft to Jhaka 8,700 ft.9 kms Via Jiskun 7,600 ft. - Jhaka 8,700 ft to Saruwas thatch 11,150 ft. 6 kms. Via Uduknal - Saruwas thatch 11,150 ft to  thatch 11,680 ft(lower water fall camp) 6 kms. - thatch 11,680 ft to the top of the Rupin  waterfall 13,120 ft -   thatch 11,680 ft to Rupin  pass 15,250 ft

External links:
Rupin pass & how to get there : http://rupinpass.com/trek-details.html

Photo sets of Rupin Pass : http://picasaweb.google.com/indiahikes.wintercamp/RupinPassTrek