TREKKING EXPEDITION TO HEMKUND SAHIB & VALLEY OF FLOWERS, 2003 SEPT
JMayo College, Junior School, Ajmer
Total 32 Boys
Height : 4329 mts
Staff : Mr. Pramod Chaturvedi, Mr. Yash Saxena, Mr. Thomas Esque & Mr Paresh Mahawar
Junior School Boys Scale Hemkund Sahib
Thirty-one boys of the Junior school (Age group 10-11 years) went for trekking to Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers, accompanied by the Headmaster Mr. P.Chaturvedi, two staff members and an exchange student Thomas Esque of class 12 from Dulwich College, England.
Height achieved by the group was 15,210 feet above sea level. This height is higher than the highest point of the continents of Australia and Antarctica total trekking done by boys was 51 kms in four days, a commendable task done at such a tender age.
Trekking started in the Junior School of Mayo College by the inspiration and efforts of the Headmaster Mr. P.Chaturvedi, who has himself been a trekker in all the four expeditions.
1. In 2001 à Tunganath, Vasundra fall & Badrinath
2. In 2002 à Devgath, Punchimukhi Glacier & Sattal
3. In 2003 (May) à Kedarnath & Bharoshikar
Finally, this mammoth achievement by the boys of the Junior School scaling Hemkund & Valley of Flowers.
Beginning of the Expedition Begins: Journey from Ajmer to Govind Ghat
We started our expedition on September 20th, 2003 when boys boarded Shatabdi Express for Delhi & then moved by a bus to Rishikesh. Boys freshened up in Rishikesh, had breakfast & started fourteen hours tiring journey for Govind Ghat.
Scenic beauty on the way was amazing. High mountains, deep valley, rapids, waterfalls, river Ganges and its tributaries flowing fast; encouraged us in reaching our destination.
First trek from Govind Ghat to Ghangaria (13 Kms)
All the boys prayed in Gurudwara in Govind Ghat and started for a trek of hirteen k.m. Trek started with Saraswati Vandana & Slogans“Bole So Nihal, Sast RI Akal”. Boys were very enthusiastic and full of determination. The chirping of birds, jingles of ponies’ bells, snow peaks, colorful flowers, tall trees, waterfalls and fast flowing river marks the way delightful.
Accent was steep and continuous rainfall made it more difficult. But the firm determination of the boys enabled us in overcoming all the hardships.
Second trek from Ghangaria to Hemkund & back (6 + 6 = 12 Kms)
.Throughout the night it rained and in the morning the sky was overcast. It was drizzling and condition was bad for trekking. Trek was only 6 kms but very difficult because the accent of the mountain was very steep. It took six hours for whole group to reach Hemkund Sahib. Many boys felt scarcity of oxygen and uncomfortable because of high altitude, difference in air pressure less oxygen and bad weather conditions. Hemkund Sahib is the second most sacred place of the Sikhs. It is 15,210 feet high above sea level, higher than the highest point of Australia and Antarctica. Boys were amazed to see the beauty of the “Amrit Sarovar” (Pond of Nectar). This pond is 400 yards long and 200 yards wide, surrounded by the snow-clad peaks.
The trekkers worshiped in Gurudwara and started the returning trek. Descending was more difficult as the path was slippery and it was raining. On the completion of the trek the group felt as if they were on top of the world.
Third trek of Valley of Flowers (6½ + 6½ = 13 Kms)
Valley of Flowers: An exquisite place having a thousand varieties of flowers found no where else in the World. 80% percent of the plants found here hold medicinal value. Some are used for making drugs for cancer, iodex, eye/ear drops, drugs for body- ache and so on.
An English lady named John Margarette discovered this place and studied the flowers. She gave the scientific names to the plants and wrote an encyclopedia on these flowers.
The very sight of the valley impressed all the students. Indeed a thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Fourth trek from Ghangaria to Govind Ghat (13 Kms)
Here the boys had to climb down thirteen kms at a single stretch. It was a strenuous task. All the boys were feeling pressure on their feet. They had to control their speed and balance themselves with gravity.
While returning to Ajmer, the group took a holy dip in the river Ganga at Rishikesh. It was a memorable experience for the boys.
Eklavya Rathi
VI-B,A.P. House
Total 32 Boys
Height : 4329 mts
Staff : Mr. Pramod Chaturvedi, Mr. Yash Saxena, Mr. Thomas Esque & Mr Paresh Mahawar
Junior School Boys Scale Hemkund Sahib
Thirty-one boys of the Junior school (Age group 10-11 years) went for trekking to Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers, accompanied by the Headmaster Mr. P.Chaturvedi, two staff members and an exchange student Thomas Esque of class 12 from Dulwich College, England.
Height achieved by the group was 15,210 feet above sea level. This height is higher than the highest point of the continents of Australia and Antarctica total trekking done by boys was 51 kms in four days, a commendable task done at such a tender age.
Trekking started in the Junior School of Mayo College by the inspiration and efforts of the Headmaster Mr. P.Chaturvedi, who has himself been a trekker in all the four expeditions.
1. In 2001 à Tunganath, Vasundra fall & Badrinath
2. In 2002 à Devgath, Punchimukhi Glacier & Sattal
3. In 2003 (May) à Kedarnath & Bharoshikar
Finally, this mammoth achievement by the boys of the Junior School scaling Hemkund & Valley of Flowers.
Beginning of the Expedition Begins: Journey from Ajmer to Govind Ghat
We started our expedition on September 20th, 2003 when boys boarded Shatabdi Express for Delhi & then moved by a bus to Rishikesh. Boys freshened up in Rishikesh, had breakfast & started fourteen hours tiring journey for Govind Ghat.
Scenic beauty on the way was amazing. High mountains, deep valley, rapids, waterfalls, river Ganges and its tributaries flowing fast; encouraged us in reaching our destination.
First trek from Govind Ghat to Ghangaria (13 Kms)
All the boys prayed in Gurudwara in Govind Ghat and started for a trek of hirteen k.m. Trek started with Saraswati Vandana & Slogans“Bole So Nihal, Sast RI Akal”. Boys were very enthusiastic and full of determination. The chirping of birds, jingles of ponies’ bells, snow peaks, colorful flowers, tall trees, waterfalls and fast flowing river marks the way delightful.
Accent was steep and continuous rainfall made it more difficult. But the firm determination of the boys enabled us in overcoming all the hardships.
Second trek from Ghangaria to Hemkund & back (6 + 6 = 12 Kms)
.Throughout the night it rained and in the morning the sky was overcast. It was drizzling and condition was bad for trekking. Trek was only 6 kms but very difficult because the accent of the mountain was very steep. It took six hours for whole group to reach Hemkund Sahib. Many boys felt scarcity of oxygen and uncomfortable because of high altitude, difference in air pressure less oxygen and bad weather conditions. Hemkund Sahib is the second most sacred place of the Sikhs. It is 15,210 feet high above sea level, higher than the highest point of Australia and Antarctica. Boys were amazed to see the beauty of the “Amrit Sarovar” (Pond of Nectar). This pond is 400 yards long and 200 yards wide, surrounded by the snow-clad peaks.
The trekkers worshiped in Gurudwara and started the returning trek. Descending was more difficult as the path was slippery and it was raining. On the completion of the trek the group felt as if they were on top of the world.
Third trek of Valley of Flowers (6½ + 6½ = 13 Kms)
Valley of Flowers: An exquisite place having a thousand varieties of flowers found no where else in the World. 80% percent of the plants found here hold medicinal value. Some are used for making drugs for cancer, iodex, eye/ear drops, drugs for body- ache and so on.
An English lady named John Margarette discovered this place and studied the flowers. She gave the scientific names to the plants and wrote an encyclopedia on these flowers.
The very sight of the valley impressed all the students. Indeed a thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Fourth trek from Ghangaria to Govind Ghat (13 Kms)
Here the boys had to climb down thirteen kms at a single stretch. It was a strenuous task. All the boys were feeling pressure on their feet. They had to control their speed and balance themselves with gravity.
While returning to Ajmer, the group took a holy dip in the river Ganga at Rishikesh. It was a memorable experience for the boys.
Eklavya Rathi
VI-B,A.P. House