Humpta Pass Trek.

23 May 2007

Today, we got up early for breakfast. We are going to Humpta Pass and will return back to Camp 5. Weather doesn't look good- Cloudy and light snowing.

0630hrs-Set off for the pass despite the light snowing.

0730hrs- The snow gets heavier. Within seconds, my bright red Mammut windbreaker becomes decorated with white snow all over. Visibility also reduced to 10-15m. Now, snowflakes are all over my face and sunglasses. I have to keep my camera in my pocket. Our guide stopped to enquire if we're still keen to press on in this weather. I think that the weather is still manageable and so we pressed on.

The first hour, we’re walking on visible trail. Subsequently, it was all snow. There were no existing track, our guide made new trail on the white sheet of snow that surrounds us.

Snow
There’s so much to learn about walking on snow. First of all, there are so many type of snow.

Some are hard. When you stepped on it, it’s usually few inches or at most ankle deep.

Some are soft. Stepping on them could be as deep as hip level.

Then there’s walking on frozen snow. The accumulated snow melts and become like ice. Walking on ice presented no friction at all.

I also learned a few techniques for walking on snow.

Along the slope, perpendicular to the gradient- Dig into the snow using the outer side of your left foot and the inner side of your right foot.

Vertically up slope- Dig into the snow using the front (toe area) of your boots.

Vertically down slope- Dig in using the heel of your boots. Alternative, slide, roll, ski, do whatever it takes to get down. This is the most fun part of walking on snow.


The weather gradually clears. I turn back to look at the direction where we came from. Part of the clouds have cleared, revealing the beautiful blue sky. I think Camp 5 is now enjoying the warm morning sunshine. I can visualize Suat sitting under the sun reading the non-fiction, Left For Dead.

Also, the gathered clouds in the direction of the pass is starting to clear.

We arrived at the ridge, the next 30 mins to the pass is paved with mixed snow, mud and rock. I find this part trickiest. Every step I made, I have to test the stability before I put my whole body weight on it. I try to follow the footprint of Dhuni and Fang, even then, I have to put 100% concentration on the trail. There’s little room for error.



We were doubly blessed- first for arriving at the pass safely, second for the almost perfect weather.

We recharged our body with water, biscuits and trail food. Dhuni did not carry anything with him, not even water and food. I saw him helping himself to the snow, I offer him my water.

Going down was easy. We were skiing down the slopes. Playing with snow was fun. I try to make snowball and allow them to roll down the slopes. Strangely, it doesn’t works. How did the term snowballing come about?
Actually, throwing snowballs at Fang is more interesting. She would scream and dodge and also make attempts to throw snowballs back at me. We collaborated by pretending to throw at each other. But at the count of 1 2 3, we change our direction from each other to Dhuni. What great fun! We were in good spirit.

More walking on snow. Where is the midpoint? I am hungry again, I want to eat Maggi Mee.