THE BALI PASS
TREK
The Ruinsara Valley in Western Garhwal can be approached from the well known Harkidun Valley. The popularity of the region is credited to Jack Gibson, the Head Master of Doon School who in the mid-1930s would take students every summer for a month at a time and encourage them to explore the region by trekking, climbing, and skiing. The initial objective of our group was to trek up the Ruinsara Valley and camp at the scenic Ruinsara Tal. After a period of acclimatization, we climbed up ‘Ski Valley 2’ and crossed Bali Pass 4910m and completed the trek from Ruinsara to Yamnotri temple.
REgion
Western Garhwal
FIRST TRIP
September 2015
Trip Grading
4
Trip DURATION
9 days
Best Period
May, June, September and
October
Side TRIPS
Trek to head of Ruinsara Valley
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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Garhwal approach to the Pass from Supin Valley
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Superb campsite at Ruinsara Tal
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Multiple challenges on final approach to Bali Pass.
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Technical descent from the Pass.
Bali Pass Trek Gallery
The approach to Bali Pass is initially through the picturesque Harkidun Valley. In the distance is Gangar village. | The highest village in the valley is Osla at 2750m | Harkidun at 3650m is a most popular location within the trekking community. After crossing Osla we head east along the Ruinsara Valley. |
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Devsu Bugyal at 2990m offers a fantastic camping location at the junction of Harkidun and Ruinsara valleys. | The trail up the Ruinsara valley runs predominately along the valley floor offering most attractive trekking conditions. | The Ruinsara Lake 3650m, which from a distance looked heart shaped. |
From just ahead of Ruinsara Lake we observed ‘Ski Valley 2’ heading towards the south. Bali Pass could be see at the head of this valley. | Climbing higher in ‘Ski Valley 2’, views opened up of Swargarohini and peaks at the head of Ruinsara Valley which included Kalanag and Banderpunch. | As we started ascending ‘Ski Valley 2' the imposing pillar of Swargarohini 6232m came into view. |
On day 5, our 4th camp was set up at Odari, at the entrance of ‘Ski Valley 2’ at 4088m. | The challenge here was to cross a long boulder field. | A long and genteelly inclined snowfield on the route to the Pass |
The climb to Bali Pass 4910m was like climbing a small peak as it turned out to be a high point on the ridge dividing the Ruinsara and Yumnotri valley region. | At Bali Pass 4910m looking at the Ruinsara Valley in the distance with Swargarohini peaks clearly in view. | The view from Bali Pass towards the south heading to Yumnotri temple region |
Dramatic decent from Bali Pass through a steep boulder field | The challenging descent after the pass crossing | Camp at upper Damini 4450m under the shadow of Banderpunch after the pass crossing |