Day 13, October 13 2007: Joshimath - Karnaprayag - Devprayag - Shivpuri

For the first time in the last 13 days, we were having to backtrack beyond 40 km (Leh - Khardung La - Leh on Oct. 5). This was a long ride back, almost 250 kms on the same roads. We were in a location that a detour to avoid repetetion of roads would be atleast 200 kms longer. Didn't make sense to take the Ranikhet - Landsdowne - Najibabad - Rishikesh route, as we were to meet Rohon's friends in Shivpuri late afternoon. Shivpuri is this place 15 kms ahead of Rishikesh and has numerous of these camping sites by the banks of the Alaknanda river. Treks/ rafting and other adventure sports activities are organised by these people on a daily basis.

As we reached Shivpuri, at our camp called the Paddler's Zone, around 1600 hrs, the friend's we were to meet had already left for their first rafting session after checking in around 1400 hrs. As we loitered around, Rohon had a rear flat tire. As we figured out the tube-replacing-activity which took rather long, these guys were back from their rafting session. it was almost 1900 hrs when we settled in for the OMR sessions. For some odd reason, we felt like dirtying the Ganges. Millions have done it over centuries, and our filth was as literal as it comes, 3 days without a wash and we took a dip in one of the smaller streams merging into to the Alaknanda at 2230. Nice and chilly water, river stones, and the starry night!!!! Awesome...Hung around the waters for a couple of more hours and crashed at about 0030. Next morning will be a long rafting session followed by a sprint to Delhi.

PREVIOUS DAY

NEXT DAY