TREKKING

The main trekking areas in Himachal are the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges, routes over the passes between the

Shimla region and the Kullu valley, the numerous treks out of Kullu and select tracks in the Trans-HimaIayan regions of Kinnaur, lahaul and Spiti. Most trekking areas are between 1 ,500 metres and 6,000 metres.

With well over two hundred and seventy defined trails, the variation in terrain is also enormous. low scrub-land and paths through paddy fields, give way to trails strewn with pine needles. Then come woods of oak and flowering rhododendron, which merge into forests of Himalayan cedar -'deodar' -.and spruce. On most trails, small pastoral hamlets dot the way. Cunningly hidden between the high mountains, are passes which were once known only to migrant shepherds and dare-all traders. A host of combinations and variations take the trails through changing countryside. The degree of physical output can also be changed to

suit your requirements. For example, the same trek can be developed from a week to last longer. Or, the two ends of a trek can be the same, but the trails can be designed to be taxing, or gentle.

There are several agencies that conduct treks. Guides, equipment, porters, pack animals and maps are availab!e at major starting points. The old Forest'dak bungalows' that are strategically placed along many trek routes, add a considerable measure of nostalgic charm and convenience for trekkers. Practically all have an aura of the past, and lie nestled in deep woods. In addition, the State Electricity Board and the PWD also have resthouses. Most of these are marked out on trekking maps and advance booking is possible. The Forest Rest Houses are booked by the area's Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), and the PWD and Electricity Board ones are booked by the concerned Executive Engineer. Training facilities, with basic and intermediate courses are available at Manali's Mountaineering Institute, and at its Regional Centres at Dharamsala and Bharmour. Excellent camping facilities exist at these points.

HELI-SKIING

For high mountain th!ills perhaps nothing can surpass the magic of heli- skiing. Under a deep blue sky, you are carried by helicopter to a snow-draped peak. And after that there is nothing except steadily distancing whirr of rotor blades, the sky and the snow. It is a thrilling.experience as you rapidly zoom down the slopes. The icy winds slap your face and the swiftly slithering hiss of skis reminds you that you are racing away on your own steam.

The sport is immediately available in the area bound by the Hanuman Tibba,

Rohtang Pass, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass -near the resort town of Manali. A major feature is the compactness of the heli-skiing area. A sortie of ten minutes can carry the skiers to the top of a 14,000 foot high slope.

SKIING

Kufri, near Shimla is one of the oldest places in India to be associated with skiing and-the slopes are still in use during winter. Above Kufri, the Mahasu ridge also has good slopes. Comprehensive facilities exist at Narkanda, 64km from Shim!a. There is a range of slopes, including a beginners' run, an advanced slope and a slalom run. Himachal Tourism offers ski courses, instruction and has equipment on hire at Narkanda.

At Manali, the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports offers a variety of courses and facilities for skiing in winter. Winter and summer skiing are possible in the Solang area near Manali. Here are also some companies in the private sector that offer ski courses and facilities.

CAMPING

Camping is perhaps the best way of enjoying the wonders of nature given to Himachal and sharing the warmth of its people. You can carry your own gear along -or opt for any of the several camps that are pitched in various parts of the state. These camps offer accommodation, catering and a variety of activities like hikes, fishing, nature-tours and rafting. Most of these offer quality facilities and services.

Himachal Tourism has camps at Sarchu in Lahaul, and in addition to built- accommodation, tents are available at Sangla and Kalpa in Kinnaur, and at Kaza in Spiti.

The Youth Hostel Association of India, runs camps at Dalhousie and at Kullu- Manali. Camps run by the private sector are in the Baspa (Sangla) valley and at Kalpa in Kinnaur, at Tabo in Spiti, at AI Hilal (Taragarh) and Dharamsala in Kangra, at Shoja near Kullu, and at Mashobra and Baldian near Shimla. Adventure camps are likely to be available soon in the Pabbar valley, in the Jubbal- Hatkoti-Rohru area.

ICE-SKATING

The Shimla ice-skating rink has the largest open-air area with naturally frozen ice in this part of the world. And the Ice Skating Club has already celebrated iis Diamond Jubilee. Ice-skating normally begins in early December and carries on to February. Clear skies and low temperatures can provide a series of uninterrupted sessions. There are two sessions every day, in the morning and again in the evening. Memberships are available for the 'season' as well as for shorter terms -and even tor single sessions. Skates are also available at the rink. Fancy-dress carnivals, 'gymkhanas', ice-hockey and dances enliven every season.

ANGLING

An anglers'paradise, Himachal has several spots for both trout and mahaseer -as well as other fish. Acclaimed as the best sport fish in the world, both Brown and Rainbow  Trout are to be found in Himachal's streams. Up- stream of Rohru in the Pabbar valley, there are several spots ideal for fishing.

Chirgaon has the trout hatchery, and other sites are -Seema, Mandil, Sandasu, Tikri and Dhamvari; all are within 5 to 25km of Rohru. Kinnaur's Baspa river in the Sangla valley also holds trout. The fish also abounds in the Uhl river near Barot. Good spots on this beat are -Luhandi, the Puran hachery, Tikkar and Kamand. The upper reaches of the river Beas in the Kullu valley, and its side streams like the Sarvari, Parbati, Sainj, Hurla and Tirthan - especially the areas around Aut, Patlikuhf, Katrain, Raison and Largi -are excellent for the sport. These are all up-stream of the Pandoh reservoir and are close to, or on the Mandi -Manali highway.

The picturesque Kangra valley has several spots that offer mahaseer -river carp. The reservoir of the Pong Dam right up to the town of Dehra has good spots. The area around Nadaun along the river Beas has some good beats, and some are Chamba Pattan near Garli (accessible from Nadaun or Jwalamukhi), Amtar (2km from Nadaun), Harsi Pattan (30km from Tira Sujanpur) and Lambagaon (15km from Tira Sujanpur). On the river Giri, Gaura (30km from Solan on the Rajgarh road) and the beat near Dadahu (5km from Renuka Lake) and the river Yamuna, downstream of Paonta Sahib are good spots for mahaseer. The waters of the Gobind Sagar near Bilaspur, also have a variety of fish. Fishing fees are nominal. The trout fishing season is from 31 March to 31 October. Generally, the best months for mahaseer are those that have an 'r' in their spelling -January, Feburary, March, April, September, October, November and December.

WATER AND RIVER SPORTS

The Pong Dam reservoir in Kangra, and its 42km length and 2km breadth, offers a variety of activities in close collaboration with the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports. Year long activities include swimming, water- skiing, surfing, kayaking, rowing, canoeing and sailing. Three levels of courses are also conducted -beginner, intermediate and advanced. Similar activities are also available on the waters of the Gobind Sagar near Bilaspur, the Chamera lake near Dalhousie and the Pandoh lake on the Mandi-Kullu National Highway.

River-rafting -or white-water rafting, as it is also called -is swiftly making Himachal a focus for the sport. For a torrent of adrenalin to gush through every vein and surge over every muscle, you can race over the State's river rapids in an inflatable rubber dinghy. The sport is now being held on the Sutlej near Shimla, on the Beas near Kullu, the Ravi near Chamba and the Chandra in Lahaul. Possibilities are also being explored on the river Spiti. Non swimmers and novices can also experience this on some of the gentler rapids. The sport takes a break during winter and in portions of the monsoons.

Himachal Tourism sponsors courses in river rafting, and there are operators in the private sector who offer this experience.

MOUNTAIN CYCLING

Gear yourself for high adventure with an expedition on cycles. You can pedal

your way past high passes or simply, make a day-adventure. Quite literally, the whole of Himachal is your playground. The tour can be coupled with camping and can be carried on for several weeks over diverse terrain. The lower regions of the State- Kangra, Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur - offer gentle routes. Or you can stretch mind, muscle and stamina to reach out to the Trans Himalayan tracts of Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur. Milder -but no less interesting -excursions can be done out of any holiday station. For the higher regions, the summer and autumn months are suggested.

VEHICLE SAFARIS

By jeep, car or on motorcycle, you can explore the variety Himachal has to offer. By jeep, the Trans Himalayan tracts can steadily unfold their natural and man-made wonders. Along one of the world's highest highways, you can drive out of Manali, cross the Rohtang pass (3980m), and move through and Lahaul to Leh and Ladakh. From Shimla, through picturesque Kinnaur, you drive through the haunting landscapes of Spiti -and over the Kunzam pass (4551 m), enter Lahaul. Himachal has an extensive network of roads and tracks-and apart from the

routes mentioned above, there are several others you can traverse on. By car, driving over the more demanding routes may not be possible, but in no way does this curtail the range of experience. And motorcycles may impose some limitations, but are again a wonderful way of sharing the wonders of Himachal. All you have to do is buy a route map, plan your trip -and you are on your way.

MOUNTAINEERING AND ROCKCLIMBING

Rock climbing is often seen as the basic stage for mountain climbing. Yet, it may also be treated as an independent sport, where its most basic level is climbing a rock face, using only hands and feet - and a safety rope. The area around Manali, presently forms the core of mountaineering in Himachal. The Beas Kund region and lower reaches of the Hanuman Tibba (5930m), the Manali and Shitidhar peaks around the source of the river Beas, and the Deo Tibba (6001 m) area, are suggested for beginners with some experience. The Chandra Bhaga ranges, the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges are an existing focus. The state also has several other areas where mountaineering is possible. The Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports at Manali, and its branch at Dharamsala, offer the activity. Courses are also available with the Institute.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Himachal also hosts a Winter Festival and Snow Carnival. Tobogganing is possible in winter. Various water sports competitions are also hosted. Especially during the monsoons, at Naldehra, several golf tournaments take place. Angling and para-gliding competitions are also hosted in the state.

TREKKING -AN EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST  

Comfortable walking boots with a good grip on the ankles. Waterproof warm jacket. Woollen/tennis  socks and stockings" Personal toiletries and clothes.

Sunglasses.  Headgear. Rucksack-other bags too if you plan to hire ponies and porters. Water  bottle. Swiss   army knife. Sleeping bag and foam ground sheet. Gloves, Umbrella, Rope,  Medical and first aid   equipment. Photographic equipment- including a  UV   filter. Torch    and batteries.  Tent, Compass, Binoculars, Coo"king gas ctyinders with attached stoves or kerosene ones. Food  and rations. Fresh fruit, vegetables and milk are rarely in short supply along the trails -apart from the higher reaches and parts of the Trans- Himalaya.

FOREST REST HOUSES

There are over five hundred 'rest houses' and 'inspection huts' that are maintained by the State's Forest Department. Many lie on trek routes and their facilities can be utilised by visitors. In District Kinnaur, these are at- Nichar, Tranda, Chaura, Shaltu, Kilba, Sangla, Shongtong, Purbani, Akpa, Giabong and Rupi. In District Lahaul-Spiti, these are at - Kaza, Udaipur, Jahalman, Tabo,

Sumdo and Sagnam. Bookings are done by the local Divisional Forest Officers whose postal addresses can be obtained.

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