Hampta Pass Trek

While many trekkers prefer to trek Hamta Pass Trek for its bumper accumulation of snow in a narrow funnel-like valley in the month of May, few people take their chances of doing a slog over a moraine ridge with no snow in the post monsoon months. What looks like an absolute stunning alpine snow glaciers and bridges in the month of May transforms into a devious looking field of the rocky moraine in Late September forth.

Trekking Hampta Pass in Post Monsoon season gives out a unique impression about the trek which one hardly get to see in the summer season. If you are struck with “Yeh Jawani hai Diwani movie” syndrome then it is far better you do not attempt Hampta Pass in late September-October. As you trek towards your first campsite “Chikka” you will gradually see less of greenery and more of the raw beauty of virgin barren Himalayan rock faces. Purist and experienced mountain enthusiasts will find themselves at home.

As you camp at Balu Ka Ghera, you will be confronted with the view of Hampta Col to be climbed the next day. There is no solitude of a monochrome snowy setting as Rani Ka nalla is found to be devoid of any snow bridges one is used to see in the summer months. What you do see is an impressive array of stream formation, trickling down the glacial basin which has completely shrunken into oblivion. The morning rays of the sun are spectacular nonetheless and one can be excused for thinking for not camping here instead of Balu Ka Ghera.

The approach to traversing Hampta Pass is not difficult but can be a tiring one. Climbing the eventual 2500 feet to reach Hampta Pass is a long haul. With changing weather pattern and loose moraine ridge climb, one has to start early in the morning. The colossal peaks surrounding the Hamta ridge looks intimidating. A couple of un-named peaks around the Col gives an impression of Biblical Beast of Lucifer with it’s two menacing horns.