Bali Pass

HEC is known for pushing the limits and setting new standards every year, and 2016 was no different. HEC organized a 5-day trek to Bali Pass for the first time, during the Dusshera holidays in 2016. Bali Pass is nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas amidst the mighty Swargarohini, Bandarpunchh and Kala Nag peaks in the North and Yamunotri temple in the South. It stands almost 5000m above the sea level connecting Har Ki Dun valley and Yamunotri Valley. The trek was accomplished by a group of 15 trekkers from IITR after a stringent conditioning program for 2 weeks. The trekkers commenced their journey on 8th October to Taluka via Sankri. After a journey of more than 12 hours, the group reached Sankri and booked taxis to Taluka. The taxis treaded so smoothly on dangerously narrow roads that it further added to the thrill of the upcoming trek. It got dusky by the time the group reached Taluka. After having had an early dinner everyone set off to the first campsite in the dark. After hiking for around 3 kms, the group reached a clearing with river Supin flowing alongside it. The guide, Bahattar Singh helped the group set the tents up and everyone slipped into their sleeping bags. The next morning, after being served with tea, the group left for Osla, a village 11 kms away from the campsite. The elevation gain wasn’t much and the route was uneven. At Osla, all had Maggi and basked in the sun for a bit. Next campsite was Ruinsara Tal, a lake situated 14 kms from Osla at a height of 3500 m. At 4 pm, the group reached a place where a huge rock was perched on a slope, creating a cavity under it. Being 5 kms away from the Ruinsara Tal and with hailstones falling, the guide decided to camp there for the night. The next day, the stamina and determination of every single trekker was put to a real test. The route till Ruinsara tal was not very challenging and the group reached the lake in around 2 hours. The view from there was beautiful with Supin flowing on a relatively flat land with mountains on both sides. After a brief rest at the lakeside, everyone headed towards Odari, aka a rock cave. After 4 hours of incessant climbing, everyone reached the rock cave. The view from that makeshift campsite was exquisite. It snowed all night and Swargarohini peak was visible in the North. The fourth day journey started by 8 in the morning and ended at Bali Pass which is 5000 m above the sea level after a climb of 4 hours. The climb was very strenuous but worth the efforts in the end. The 360 degree view from Bali Pass was inexplicable and too surreal to be true. It was the first time HEC had conquered the pass, and the satisfaction was evident in everyone’s eyes. Soon, the group had to start the descent; and the route was extremely tricky. Slowly and steadily, everyone reached the Yamunotri temple after almost 7 hours of walking. It snowed on the way down. A lodge was booked near the temple, where everyone savoured appetizing dinner after 3 days and went off to sleep under the cozy blanket. The fifth and last day started off with a bath in the hot water springs beside the temple premises. The place was peaceful with Yamuna flowing beside it, and lush green hills all around. Everyone packed their bags and started the last walk to Jankichatti from where a bus was boarded to Roorkee. Everyone was back in the campus by 10 pm. Only HEC can cut short a 9- day trek into a 5-day trek and allow everyone to have an experience of a lifetime at nominal cost.