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Bandarpunch
Glacier
Bandarpunch is an important glacier of Yamuna river
basin. The glacier is 12 kms. long situated on the northern
slopes of Bandarpunch peak (6316 m), Bandarpunch west
(6102m) and Khatling peak (6387m). The glacier is formed
by three cirque glaciers and later join the Yamuna river.
The glacier lies on a gentle slope and is bounded by
lateral moraines, which indicate the last surface level
of the glacier.
The glacier can be approached from Dehradun to Sankri-Saur
by bus and from Sankri-Saur to Taluka, 11 kms. byjeep
or light vehicle, then Osia, 14 kms. From Osia Ruinsara
Tal, located just below the glacier snout, is the best
camping site. From Ruinsara one can visit the glacier
and surrounding area.
Chorbari Bamak
Chorbari Bamak glacier is situated in Rudraprayag District
of U.P. The glacier is 6 kms. long and originates from
the outhern slope of Kedar-dorne, Bhartekhunta and Kirti
Stambh and this hill range is the water divide which
separates the
Gangotri group of glaciers and the Chorbari glacier.
Several hanging glaciers and avalanche chutes feed the
glacier. The lower part of the glacier is covered by
thick debris and bounded by huge deposits of lateral
moraines. The glacier starts from its accumulation zone
(600 m) and terminates at an elevation of 3800 m, from
where a snow/ice melt stream originates, called Mandakini
and merges into the Alaknanda at Rudraprayag.
The glacier is approachable by roa(upto Gaurikund via
Rudraprayag Guptkashi and Soneprayag. Fron Gaurikund,
a foot trek runs over the hill slopes upto Kedamath
Temple From Kedamath temple, there is a 3km. footpath
to the glacier snout. Between the rock face and right
latera moraine of the glacier, there is a lak formed
by glacier melted water called Ganghi - Sarovar.
Dokriani Bamak
Dokriani Bamak (Bamak is the local name of the glacier)
is another well developed medium-sized glacier of the
Bhagirathi basin. The glacier is formed by two cirques,
originating at the northern slope of Draupadi-Ka-Danda
and Jaonli peak, 5600 m and 6000 m respectively. The
glacier is 5 km. long and flows in the northwest direction
terminating at an elevation of 3800 m. The stream originating
from the glacier's melted water is called Dingad which
later joins many other snow/ice melted streams and finally
merges into Bhagirathi river near Bukki village. There
are several well-developed meadows and Proglacial lakes
located 2 kms. below the snout of the glacier. These
meadows, lakes and other formations themselves tell
us the past history and behavior of the glacier and
also provide good camping sites.
The glacier is easily approachable from Uttarkashi.
Nearly 56 kms. from Uttarkashi on the road to Gangotri,
Bukki village is 2 kms. from the bus terminus situated
on the right bank of Bhagirathi river. On way to Dokriani
glacier, one has to walk
23 kms. from the road (Bukki village). After crossing
the Bhagirathi river a footpath flows along the steep
mountain slopes up to Tela camp (2500 m). From Tela
to Gujjar Hut a 12 km. run along the Dingad stream is
a route offered to cross the several up and down ridges,
many small and big streams and dense mixed forests of
Deodar, Rhododendron, Oak, Pine etc. provide an atmosphere
of perfect peace and tranquility. Overwhelmed by such
heart-touching beauty one crosses the way without difficulties.
Gujjar Hut (a summer camp ofGujjars with their buffaloes)
is located at a height of 3500 m., just 5 kms. below
the Dokriani Glacier. Gujjar Hut is the gateway of the
valley. The valley has a gentle slope with different
land features formed by the glacier and surrounded by
snow- covered peaks. This place is good for camping
and one can walk up to the glacier and adjoining areas
and climb the small peaks. Only Gujjar huts and a base
camp (near the glacier snout) of Wadia Institute ofHimalayan
Geology, Dehradun lie on the way. One visiting the area
has to make his own arrangement for food, tents and
light warm clothes. The best season to visit is throughout
summer and autumn. Besides the above two glaciers, Kedar,
Rudugaira and Jaonii are some other glaciers which are
approachable by the same way
Doonagiri Glacier
Doonagiri glacier is one of the important glaciers of
Dhauli Ganga system of glaciers where more than 500
glaciers, of different shapes and sizes lie in the dee
and narrow valleys. The important glaciers here are:
Changbang, Girthi, Hoti an
Niti glaciers, Doonagiri glacier is 5.5 kms. long, extending
between an elevation from it head 5150 m to the snout
4240 m, which is the terminal point of the glacier.
A stream originating from the glacier merges into Dhauli
Ganga near the Jum
village.
The glacier is approachable from Juma on the way to
Joshimath- Malari road. 8 kms. from Juma lies the Doondgiri
village. From Doonagiri village a 12 kms. long foot-trek
runs along the Doonagiri stream to reach the glacier
snout. Bagini is another glacier in this valley. Doonagiri
is the last village in the valley. Near the vicinity
of the glacier tliere is a good place for camping. The
best time to visit the olace is mid Mav to mid October.
Gangotri Glacier
Gangotri glacier is a well-known glacier in Garhwal
Himalaya, situated in Uttarkashi district. The glacier
originates
at the northern slope of Chaukhamba range of peaks.
This is not a single valley glacier, but a combination
of several other
glaciers that are fed to it and form a huge mass of
ice. Bhrigupanth (6772m), Kirti Stambh (6285), Sumeru
Parvat (6380)
respectively and Ratavana Bamak, Chaturangi Bamak and
Swachand Bamak lie on the northeast slope of Srikailash,
Man parvat, Satopanth and an un-namec group of peaks.
The glacier lies within a span of 28 kms. and terminates
a Gaumukh (4000m). The glacier flows at a gentle slope
except for a few ice walls and crevices developed in
the upper regions of the glacier where, as in the lower
part (above the snout), the glacier is covered by debris
which imparts a mudd appearance to its surface.
The glacier is easily approachable is well connected
by motorable road upto Gangotri temple and from there
a 17 kms. long bridle path follows along the right bank
of the Bhagirathi river to Gaumukh, the snout of the
glacier.
Lateral Glacier
This lateral glacier situated in Tehri district is the
source of river Bhilangna. The glacier is surrounded
by snow peaks of the Jogin group (6466 m), Sphetic Pristwar
(6905 m), Barte Kauter (6579 m) Kird Stambh (6902 m)
and Meru. The moraines on the side of the glaciers look
like standing walls of gravel mud.
The trek which starts from Ghuttu is easily approachable
by motor from Dehradun, Tehri, Mussorie and the Rishikesh
railhead. One has to trek about 45 kms. and pass through
remote villages with thick Kharsao forest and wide open
beautiful lush grassy meadows. The entry to the Bhilangna
Valley provides excellent spots for camping. Tents and
adequate provisions need to be arranged in advance from
Rishikesh, Tehri and Dehradun
Nanda Devi Glacier
Nanda Devi north and Nanda Devi south are two important
glaciers, each with a length of approximately 19 lems.
located in the Rishi Ganga river catchment. These glaciers
originate on the southern slope ofNanda Devi peak (7108
m). Other important glaciers in the vicinity are Trishul,
Kururntoli, Nandakna, Bartoli and Ramani. These glaciers
are well developed and are large in size and length.
Several melted-water streams originate from these glaciers
and form the river Rishi Ganga, which later joins the
Dhauli Ganga at Raini, 25 kms. from Joshimath. These
glaciers are approachable from Joshimath, on the way
to Malari road. Lata, about 25 kms. from Joshimath,
is the last roadhead. From Lata, a bridle path follows
through a dense forest of Pine, Bhoj and other trees
and alpine meadows upto Lata Kharak. From Lata Kharak
the route passes through narrow gorges, steep mountain
slopes and sometime through snow patches, to reach the
glaciers snout.
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