Rupin Pass Trek - Part 3

Trek Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

We reached our next camping ground called Dhanderas Thatch half past noon. By now almost everything in our view was white. We were told to refresh ourselves for lunch after which we will go for a small trek sideways and practise some snow gliding which was a needed skill to navigate the other side of summit.

View on the way to Upper Waterfall, our campsite is visible

The summit was still not visible but what we could see of our ascent was overwhelming. Almost vertically above us we could see three frozen waterfalls cascading one after another. We were camped at the base of the Lower Waterfall. Our next camping ground was above the Upper Waterfall about 3000ft above us. The route to the top was as vertical as could be.

Flatwalk towards Dhanderas Thatch

Deciding not to think too much about tomorrow, we ate our lunch and started the sideways trek on ice. At the top our guide was showing us how to slide. It was a wrong technique. He was basically asking us to cross our arms and let the gravity take us down. It was ok for those with high upper body weight. When I tried it, I started moving left and right immediately and eventually knocked two people as well as injuring myself on the neck.

Three Waterfalls are visible

I was immediately asked to rest in the tent. Someone gave me balm and our guide provided a hot water pillow. Thankfully the injury was superficial and more thankfully I was able to skip the two hour evening get together that had become a droll. By late evening I was feeling much better although there was some stiffness in my neck.

Sideways trek from Dhanderas Thatch Camp

Next morning we started early for the Upper Waterfall as it was a long and steep climb, the most difficult day of our trek. Steps were carved all the way. Snow had covered most of them but thanks to our crampons and gaiters, we made a swift climb. We had a small break on the way but mostly continued incessantly to the top.

The climb begins, we leave Dhanderas Thatch campsite behind

It was an arduous climb but once we were above the Upper Waterfall we celebrated. The campsite was visible at our level some distance away. We enjoyed the view of valley below from here which was surreal. The snow here was almost 14ft deep but somehow a sliver of water was still flowing through the waterfall. It was gorgeous.