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Ghepan Ghat - Who is this trek meant for?

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Ghepan Ghat: Who Is This Trek Meant For

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Ghepan Ghat: Who Is This Trek Meant For

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Bikat Adventures

29 Mar 2022

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Some places have a very pleasing personality and Ghepan Ghat, the electrifying glacial lake resting at an altitude of 4,140M, is definitely one of them. The view of Ghepan Ghat after having spent three days to get there, is physically captivating - the first glimpse of the lake is sure to arrest your step. Tucked away like a well-kept secret in the fascinating terrain of Lahaul, this 5-day trek is the right balance of a few bits of thrill with heaps of chill - all on the road less traveled (literally).

This moderately difficult trek takes you through exposed terrain with high ascents, steep descents and extremely rugged and untouched trails hidden even from most of the local guides in the area.

No trail will seem difficult, however, when you witness the ice hanging casually in the middle of a neon blue glacial lake with the backdrop of massive meadows littered with all kinds of colours. Although it is a leisurely trek with neuron-activating views, it does come with its set of challenges. We are listing them down in this article so that you are better prepared for when you decide to come here – which we hope you do ultra-soon because we cannot wait for you to experience the beauty of this trek yourself!

Difficulty Level of the Trek:

Ghepan Ghat is a level 4 trek on the Bikat Rating Scale.

About the BRS: The Bikat Rating Scale rates the difficulty level of all treks and expeditions in our portfolio after taking into account their geographical and climatic conditions.

According to this scale, if you are a beginner who is unsure of your fitness level and don’t know what to expect on a trek, a trek rated one will be a good place to start.

If you liked your very first trekking experience and are looking to test your limits next, the treks rated 2 or 3 will do the job for you.

A beginner who is sure of their fitness level on the other hand is welcome to skip the first two levels and directly start with one of the treks rated 3.

From 4 onwards, the rules change a little. It is mandatory to have trekking experience of the previous level to participate in the next level.

The Trails of Ghepan Ghat:

A moderately difficult trail, Ghepan Ghat is gorgeous beyond words. Rife with open grazing lands with heaps of sheep gazing at you with a look of genuine curiosity, meadows packed with flowers spray painted with rich colours ranging from purples, to pinks to a dozen shades of yellow, patches of glaciers, the trek’s got it all. Although fairly manageable overall, it comes with its fair share of challenges and it helps to know what some of the difficulties you are likely to encounter are, if you decide to undertake this journey. Let us help acquaint you to some of the most exciting ones which make the trek challenging as well as fun!

Challenge 1: Acclimatization

If you are a mountain enthusiast, you would be aware that the body takes a fair bit of time to adapt to new temperature, altitude and terrain. One of the challenges of short treks like the 5-day trek of Ghepan Ghat is that the body is pushed to newer heights and changing terrain without too much time for it to get accustomed to the change. This can get a bit strenuous if you are not used to the Himalayan air and your body is new to these heights. The first day you make your way from sea level to Manali which is at approximately 2,000M and then go directly to Sissu which is close to 3,100M. From here on, each day is close to a 400M height gain to get to the lake which is at 4,140M. These quick ascents are likely to produce AMS-like symptoms. However, worry not! It is not all bleak because there are ways to lessen the chances of getting sick. Remember to drink lots of water, layer up as instructed by the leader and take the trek at your own pace.

Challenge 2: Unmarked Trail

Lahaul was previously cut off and secluded which made it hard to access the area. But with the inauguration of the Atal Tunnel, the area remains open to possibilities of exploring new, unexplored trails and Ghepan Ghat is one of them. While this means lesser crowds and more untouched beauty, it also means that the trail for the trek is not well marked and neatly laid out. We follow narrow shepherd trails which at times take you through broken patches in the mountain with loose rocks and steep slopes of slippery scree. And there are patches of glaciers which are smooth for not having been walked on and hence extremely precarious to cross. Although it adds to the thrill and the overall experience of Ghepan Ghat, this untouched terrain and unmarked trails are a bit of a challenge to cross.

Challenge 3: Unpredictable Weather

As you might already know, mountain weather is not really known for its consistency. It changes moods as quickly as a confused person’s thoughts! The area is prone to unannounced rains. This means beautiful double rainbows and the fresh smell of the land but it also means reduced visibility, increased cold and the slippery sections of the trail getting slipperier and more difficult to cross.

GEAR REQUIRED FOR GHEPAN GHAT

Ghepan Ghat is a fairly manageable trek and does not make use of any technical equipment. While we will be providing tents and sleeping bags needed on the trek, there is some basic gear you will need from your end to get through your hike comfortably.

Some of the things you will need are:

1) A sturdy, lightweight backpack: A good backpack which sits comfortably on your back without putting too much pressure on it can be the deciding factor between making it to the summit or not. Good, however, is not a synonym for expensive.

One of our founders, Pankaj, purchased a non-branded pack for INR 1100 in 2010 and the pack continues to work just fine for him even today. In the article linked below, he shares some helpful tips on what to look for when choosing a trekking backpack.

How to choose your backpack

2) Comfortable trekking shoes: Happy feet equal a happy trek. Conventional sports shoes don’t suit trekking trails. We recommend wearing high ankle shoes with sturdy soles. These not only provide better support but also reduce the possibility of injuries while hiking. In case, you need help with a list of deciding factors that make for good trekking shoes, please refer to the article below.

How to choose a good pair of hiking shoes

3) Right Clothing: Any high-altitude trek requires specific kinds of clothing. It should be warm but light weight. It should also be such that it is easily packaged. On high-altitude treks like Ghepan Ghat, we usually employ the layering method where you put on multiple layers of clothing instead of one very heavy, thick jacket. This is for two reasons:

1) The weather in Himalayan regions is unpredictable and changes very quickly. Layering gives you the freedom to adapt to that accordingly where you are not left feeling too hot or too cold.

2) These are easy to carry and are packing-friendly.

SKILLS REQUIRED FOR GHEPAN GHAT

Bikat Adventures is primarily an adventure learning organization. This means our key objective is not just to help trekkers complete their treks but also to ensure they pick up some valuable lessons and skills in trekking along the way.

To achieve this, we have created learning modules and paired them to different levels on the Bikat Rating Scale.

These modules are taught real-time on the trails by our trek leaders.

The following are some skills that are likely to come in handy on a trek like Ghepan Ghat.

While you will have all the assistance you need on the trek from our capable trek leaders and guides, we suggest browsing through the articles below to get an idea of what is involved.

1) Ascending Descending on Trails

Ghepan Ghat has its fair share of steep ascents and equally steep descents. While ascending and descending on a sturdy, well laid-out terrain is difficult, achieving this on unmarked trails over loose scree is even trickier. A set of simple techniques can help you navigate rocky as well as icy landscapes with considerable ease while also reducing chances of injuries and stress to specific body parts. The guide linked below shares some useful tips on how to ascend and descend on trails.

Ascending and Descending on Trails

2. Packing Your Rucksack

Given how unpredictable the weather gets all throughout the trail on Ghepan Ghat, you are likely to keep changing your layering frequently along the way. Also, due to the vast difference in day temperature and that at night, you most probably will spend a lot of time packing and re-packing your sack depending on whether you are on-trail or at the campsite, have chanced upon sudden rains or are stuck in a suddenly arrived cold hour. Accessing your stuff can get a bit messy and confusing.

Also, a sack packed right can facilitate your trekking while incorrect packing can even make an easy trail seem difficult. Worry not, we are here to help. The article linked below shares some useful guidelines you can follow to pack efficiently.

How to pack your rucksack

3) How to Pitch a Tent

Our trek leaders will be guiding you on how to pitch a tent during the trek. Nevertheless, we are linking the article below for anyone who might be interested in reading about it.

How to pitch a tent

4) Layering Basics

Layering appropriately to protect yourself from the cold is essential. The article linked below will give you a fair idea of the winter layers you will need and guide you on how to layer up at campsites and while hiking.

Hiking attire and layering

5) Understanding Equipment

Like we said before, Ghepan Ghat is rife with sharp ascents and equally sharp descents in an assortment of landscapes. This, along with its peculiar terrain and environment may be easier to handle with the use of a trekking pole. The article below will help you understand how to use it as well as how it can facilitate your climb.

How to use a trekking pole?

When you know you are going to be in and around snow or in any high-altitude location where the sun is harsh, you might want to carry a good pair of sunglasses. A lack of these could prove to be fatal. The article below can help you pick out just the right pair.

How to pick high-altitude UV protection glasses?

We hope this article answers all the questions you may have about Ghepan Ghat. In case you need further assistance/information with something, please feel free to reach out to us. We are only a phone call away.

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