20-Sep-2012 --

The area around the confluence

The confluence itself lies on a steep slope covered with very close fauna composed out of ferns and thistles. This makes it quite hard to get to the confluence. The surrounding trees are standing quite far from eatch other so the wood itself is very easy to get through. The ground is very soft, wet and slippery, so it is highly advisable to wear at least hiking boots to prevent slipping and sliding down the slope. Long trousers are also a very good idea.

How we got there

• We rent a taxi (daily rent of 3600 Rupees) that took us about 45 minutes into Lag-Valley, north west of Kullu
• The valley gets very narrow and at a bridge over the river at about Position (32.011115N 77.014950E) we startet our ascent
• The general idea was to walk up to the confluence from the other side of the mountain
• We crossed the river and walked about 30 minutes south to the first viallage, constantly walking up
• Then after about 3 hours following paths south, south east that were visible on Google Maps and Bing Maps we reached the last village before the final approach to the confluence at about the position of (31.994831N 77.008786E)
• From now on we followed herdsman tracks up the slope right behind the village to a small wooden temple. Here it is better to follow the tracks on the right side of the hill, they are easier to spot and better. We didn't know that and so it took us another one and a half hours to reach the temple. ATTENTION: Don't rest at the temple! It will desecrate it and you will have to pay about 1500 Rupees to have a goat slaughtered and consecrate it (if you get caught).
• Right behind the temple we followed a very small path in the direction of the confluence
• After the path fades away we simply tried to find our way on the steep and slipery slope to the confluence.
• According to our GPS-Tracker, we reached the confluence at the coordinates of (32deg 00.002sec N, 77deg 00.003sec E), very close

The whole trip to the confluence was planned and organized by Mr. Cornet for months by studying balloons from Google Maps, Bing Maps and Google Earth. I am only the reporter and the guy who went with him to visit it that day. Thus this confluence visit is dedicated to Boris Cornet, who sadly died of a heart attack on our way back from the confluence.

For Boris