Distance from Delhi : 510km
Distance from Chamoli: 42km
Altitude: 1100 ft.

The Charming Beauty of Chopta

Chopta trekking has lot in its store for its trekkers. Watch the rising sun in its many hue, Grey first, it slowly transforms into orange from pale yellow. It’s time to wake up and so the bird king of the high Himalayas, Monaal, takes a swift flight from the rocky outcrop into the valley. While doing so, it greets its friends below with a continuos shrill call. and friends it has plenty – Musk deer, muntjac, gorals.

Cautiously, they tread over the virgin snow, leaving behind an endless trail of footprints. Occasionally, they stop, lift their heads to catch a sign of the predator- Man or tiger. and once assured they are safe, they carry on.

On another side of the mountain, a few cottages stand half immersed in snow. Chopta trekking during winter is experience in itself, one comes across magnificent sites of snow cottage, getting the warmth of the snow and soon the golden sun will melt the snow. Drop by drop, the water will trickle down from the green tin roofs of the cottage housing the forest department, to form beautiful icicles. Hidden under three feet of snow are thousands of grasses, shrubs and cold-blooded organisms. They will return to life once nature runs a soothing hand over them. But for now, it’s the snow that shrouds the landscape.

Chopta Trekkign In Snow

Preparing for treks in the snow entails much more planning and foresight than for a normal trek. The biggest problem about trekking in the snow in Chopta is that you don’t find human settlements en route. Villagers in high-altitude areas relocate to low-lying areas during the months of snowfall.
Not just that, hostile climatic conditions force even the army and forest department to temporarily move away from places of lesser strategic importance. Given the circumstances, once you leave your base camp, you realise that you are entirely on your own. Everything, right from matchsticks and candles to a pair of well-fitting shoes, has to be looked into. You have to carry alternate fuel, food and medicines. A small mistake or oversight when you plan can be fatal. In the areas where there is no electricity or means of communication, problems could intensify.

Caution

Chopta is just this kind of a place during the months of snowfall. There is no electricity, wireless or vehicle. One has to arrange for everything, from proper rations, kerosene, firewood (yes firewood also, because most of the firewood in the jungle is damp during this season, and gives off a lot of smoke, causing tears), batteries, clothing, bedding, to our heavy and cumbersome equipment. This apart, to be on the right side of caution, one has to carry an extra bit of everything during a trek in the snow. As a thumb rule, about 50-70% of extra rations and life-saving implements should be carried for snow treks.