Trekking Plan for June 2011

Planning to do a Trekking trip in June 2011. Tentative Dates are 20th - 30th June 2011. Possible itineraries are:

Itinerary 1: June 21st 2011:
21 Day 0 From Lko to Rishikesh by Train
22 Day 1 Rishikesh To Uttarkashi by Road
23 Day 2 Uttarkashi To Gangotri by Road
24 Day 3 Gangotri to Bhojbasa Trek
25 Day 4 Bhojbasa to Gaumukh Trek
26 Day 5 Gaumukh to Tapoban Trek
27 Day 6 Tapoban to Nandanavan Trek
28 Day 7 Nandanavan - Bhojbasa Trek
29 Day 8 Bhojbasa - Gangothri Trek
30 Day 9 To Gangothri - Haridwar Road
1 Day 10 Haridwar - Lucknow Train

Some nice info links:

For Trek Map - http://www.flickr.com/photos/riyazk/4709622322/
A nice Writeup - http://riyazzk.blogspot.com/2010/06/adventure-trip-to-gangotri-glacier.html 
Another writeup - http://ankurbal.blogspot.com/2009/10/tryst-with-gods.html

Finally got my Macbook Pro

Here I am posting from my new Macbook Pro 15.4" i7 which I got 2 weeks ago. I have always been impressed with Apple designs. This is the second Apple product for me after iPad. Quick comments:

Pros:

1. As I had anticipated, 15.4" is a good size for photo editing. I use Adobe LR3 and with its side panels and photo preview panel, this screen size is most suitable i feel. A 13" would have been a bit lacking in screen real estate.
2. As I have written above, design and feel is superb. No clutter, clean lines, solid feel of the aluminum body, no nonsense look.
3. Trackpad is larger than windows machines which is good and multi-touch features are very useful.
4. backlit keyboard is a very useful feature, especially when I use it in my couch at night
   
5. Speakers are good and produce sufficiently loud sound if required in noisy surroundings.

Cons:

1. This is my first mac, therefore getting used to mac environment is taking little effort.
2. Glossy screen is not the most convenient to look at as it produces uncomfortable and distracting reflections.
3. Although mine is reasonably high end machine with i7 processor and 4 GB RAM, the general speed does not seem extraordinary. I am talking of opening time for Firefox, LR3 etc.
4. I am not sure about the camera resolution, but it does not feel any superior to windows based machines' cams I have seen.

Overall:
I like the machine. No regrets. Have yet to feel the legendary Apple "advantages" and "superiority" over equivalent high end windows laptops that are at 40% of Macbook price.

Oman(Salalah and Masirah Island) Trip Sept 2009

Camping Preparation

This post is to share whatever knowledge we have gained about camping in the UAE and Oman over last 12 or so years with two young children. We have camped in all kinds of locations such as Deserts, Wadis, Beaches, Mountains, Flat plains and the list given below is in no way claimed to be know-it-all list and is to be used as a general guide for camping preparation.

The amount and range of items to be taken depends on individual camping style and number of people. You would find out after a couple of camping trips what works best for you. 

For us, we learn a thing or two in each camping trip and the learning and improvement would never stop.

The list is categorized in two parts: "Necessities" and "Nice to Have" items and the names are self explanatory.


Happy Outdoors!!!

Lodging-Necessities:

Well, lets see what do we need at the minimum when we need to stay outside our home. 

A Shelter, Bed, Lounging area, Wash facility. So we need to carry below equipment to provide for these basic needs.

1. Tent (Should be sufficiently sized to accommodate number of people expected to sleep in. Better to buy a capacity slightly higher than the number of occupants expected as it is always good to have a bit of extra space and weight of the tent should not be a concern here as it is to be carried by your car. Always prefer a tent with extra layer of covering on the top to stop dew and it gives you extra warmth in the cold desert nights. For Abu Dhabi or Dubai, you get reasonably good and inexpensive tents in Carrefour, ACE Hardware, Hypermarket - Abu Dhabi and a host of other shops in these cities. For more specialized (and expensive) tents you may want to checkout Adventure HQ, Times Square Mall - Dubai, Decathlon, Mirdif Mall - Dubai, Sun & Sands shops which keep tents by specialized outdoor equipment manufacturers)
2. Sleeping Bags (1 for each member including kids. If you don't want to invest in sleeping bags upfront, its perfectly okay to carry some lightweight Mattresses/Comforters/Mats/Blankets to provide a reasonably comfortable bed in the tent. Also carry something to cover yourselves for warmth in colder months)
3. Pillows (These can be normal or inflatable type, whichever works for you. Alternatively, you can always roll up some clothes/towels/jackets and use them as pillow)
4. Sleeping Mats (This is not absolutely must, but highly recommended as you don't want to wake up with a sore back after sleeping on hard and cold ground the whole night. We have tried inflatable types and mat type both and have found inflatable type little impractical as inflation/deflation with a pump is little cumbersome. Mat type works better for us, but this could be your personal choice)
5. Chairs (This is one essential item that many people ignore at times. One chair per person is a MUST including kids. Sitting around at campsite is one of the main activity and having no chair to sit is not a good option)
6. Table (Carry at least one table to provide working surface for laying food, serving, cooking etc)
   
7. Camping Lantern (A reasonable size to provide illumination at the camping area. A Chargeable type is good and don't forget to fully charge it couple of days before the trip. One with an option to charge from 12 volt cigarette lighter socket in your car is always better)
8. Torches/Flashlights/Headlamps (Carry couple of flashlights to find your way in and around your camp. We have found headlamps to be quite useful as you can use them handsfree and we carry one for each person. Children especially love them as it gives them freedom to play even in the dark. In addition to the headlamps, carry at least one handheld flashlight with reasonable light beam strength)
   
9. Washing Water (This is to wash your hands etc. You may want to use mineral drinking water. But we prefer not to use drinking water for washing up and carry 15-20 Ltr Container (for a family of 2+2) preferably with Tap. Typically, we carry empty container from home and fill up at one of the petrol stations on the way to camping area)

Lodging-Nice-To-Have:

1. Camp Shower (nice to have)
2. Toilet Rolls
3. Shade arrangement
4. Ground Tarp/Sheet
5. Extra Rope/String
6. Wet Wipes

Food and Cooking:

1. Instant Cup Noodles
2. Instant Soup
3. Instant Coffee Sachets
4. Hot Chocolate powder for kids
5. Sugar
6. Tuna Cans
7. Chick peas cans
8. Fruit cans
9. Tahina/Hommous Cans
10. Olives
11. Ready to eat dishes' Cans
12. Long life milk small (sufficient quantity)
13. Flavored Milk
14. Dal/Rice for Khichdi
15. Salt, Pepper, red chilli, Garam Masala
16. Tea Bags
17. Powder Milk
18. Tang
19. Cooking Gas with Extra Refill Cylinders
20. Wind Screen for the gas
21. Cooking pot
22. Pressure Cooker
23. Service Spoon
24. Knife and Peeler
25. Cigrette Lighter
26. Kettle
27. 4 plates, spoons, bowls, Glasses
28. Drinking Water (we prefer1.5 ltr bottles)
29. Biscuits
30. Namkeen
31. Dry Fruits
32. Pancake Mix
33. Marshmallows and Sticks
34. Oats
35. cereals/cornflakes etc
36. Trash bags
37. Scrub Sponge
38. Dish washing liquid
39. Zip Lock bags
40. Heavy duty Aluminum foil

Clothes:

1. Warm Clothing if its going to be cold (Caps, Socks, Warm trousers, Jackets, Sweaters, Gloves). Take layers of clothes.
2. Light clothing for driving and beaches area, quick drying clothes.
3. Towels
4. Bed Sheet

Personal:

1. Soap
2. Shampoo
3. Toothpaste
4. Toothbrushes
5. Medicines(Panadol, Adol for kids, Fludrex, Balm, Disprin, Brufen)
6. First Aid Box (Band Aids of assorted size, Hydrogen Peroxide, Soframycin, Bandages, Tweezers, Scissors, Iodine, surgical Tape, Wound sealing spray, Ice Pack, Insect bite cream etc., pls refer to a good first aid kit reference)
7. Shaver
8. Comb
9. Earbuds
10. Sunscreen
11. Sewing Kit

Misc:

1. Passports with 4 copies each
2. License/Regn card with 2 copies each
3. Mobile Phone with Charger
4. Playing Cards
5. Camera with extra batteries
6. Binoculars
7. Battery Charger
8. Pen, Diary
9. Guidebook of the area being visited
10. Paper Map of the area being visited
11. GPS with car charger
12. Two way radio/Walkie Talkie
13. Writing pad, pencils, colors for kids

Tools:

1. MultiTool
2. Battery Jump Leads
3. Jack
4. Pliers
5. Adjustable Wrench
6. Rubber Bands
7. Tow Strap with Shackles
8. Gloves to protect hands while doing rough camping work
9. Plastic tube/pipe for petrol siphoning
10. Some old newspapers
11. Some string
12. Duct Tape
13. Folding Shovel
14. Camp Axe/Hammer

Salalah/Oman Trip in Sept 2009 Eid Holidays

Finally, an opportunity to do long awaited Salalah Trip by Road in the coming Eid holidays (tentatively from Fri, 18th Sept till Fri, 25th Sept), Will have to take a couple of days off to complete weekend to weekend.

Itinerary:

Day-1 (Friday, 18th Sept, start from Auh @ 3.00 a.m): Auh to Salalah(Oman) in one stretch via Mezayed(Al Ain) border post - Approx 1250 km (Reach Hotel by night)
Day-2 (Sat, 19th Sept): Salalah Local SightSeeing (Night stay at Salalah hotel )
Day-3 (Sun, 20th Sept): Salalah Local Sighseeing (Nightstay at the same hotel)
Day-4 (Mon, 21st Sept): Salalah Local Sighseeing (Nightstay at the same hotel)
Day-5 (Tue, 22nd Sept, start from Salalah @ 3.00 a.m): Salalah to Masirah Island - 850 Km , cross to Masirah in Ferry(Camping at Masirah)
Day-6 (Wed, 23rd Sept): Masirah Local Sighseeing (Nightstay at the same Camp)
Day-7 (Thu, 24th Sept): Masirah Local Sighseeing (Nightstay at the same Camp)
Day-8 (Fri, 25th Sept): Masirah to Abu Dhabi - Approx 800 km (Back to Abu Dhabi by night)

Total Road distance to be covered: Approx 3200 km
Total Number of days: 8
Total nights in hotel: 4
Total nights at Camp: 3

Here is the map and route marked on it

A nice writeup on Salalah Trip:
http://www.chirri2000.com/discovery/disc_salalah/disc_salalah.htm

About Masirah:
http://www.world66.com/asia/middleeast/oman/masirahisland
http://home.hetnet.nl/~lilian_jan_schreurs/oman/Masirah.htm
http://www.geocities.com/suonnoch/Oman/masirah.htm
http://exploremasirah.com/

Overnight Desert Camping Trip on 10th-11th April 2009 (Fri-Sat)

Have not gone for camping in the UAE this season. Opportunity to make use of good weather. Plan is to do leightweight desert driving and camping in an easy to reach area, especially for first time sand drivers. Here is the plan.

Destination : Cars Museum Area west of Abu Dhabi. About 30 mins drive to from Mussafah - towards Tarif/Sila. Map is below.

Here are some photos of a previous camping trip in the same area http://picasaweb.google.com/bhallasunil/CampingTripAtAbuDhabiMarch2008#

How to Reach:
Abu Dhabi cars to meet at 1.45 noon at Spinneys Adnoc. To leave at 2.00 sharp.
Dubai cars can either come to Abu Dhabi to my place and then we proceed toghether. OR if they want to have more time to pack and prepare, they can join the Abu Dhabi group on the highway towards Tarif/Sila.

Schedule:

1. To start from Abu Dhabi at 2.00 p.m. and reach the deflation/desert entry point by 3.00 p.m.
2. If coming directly from Dubai, should start at 1.00 p.m.
3. Reach camping spot by 4.00 p.m.
4. Offload the camping stuff and start pitching in the tents etc.
5. Do a bit of sand driving around the dunes.
6. Settle down by dark and regular campsite activities
7. Next day have breakfast and leave camping spot depending upon heat.

Preparation:

1. Food: Everybody to arrange for themselves (this is the least complicated option). For dinner and next day breakfast. Bring enough drinking water/fluids. Pls keep your gas, tea/coffee arrangements.
2. Clothes: Pls bring warm clothes as it gets cold and possibly windy in the desert at night. preferably wear full shoes/boots, especially for the kids.
3. Lodging: Usual camping stuff such as tent, sleeping bags, mattresses, chairs, tables, water for washing , first aid kit, torch/flash lights, Chargeable Lantern, coolbox etc. Pls bring some firewood also.
4. Tools etc: Whoever has Walkie-Talkie, please bring and don't forget to charge the batteries. Also bring tow rope, shackles, jack, spare tyre, pressure gauge, air compressor to inflate tyres at return.

Trip Report - Oman Trip December 2008 (Work in Progress)

Trip Route:
Day 1(Dec 3rd, 2008): Abu Dhabi - Jabal Shams (via AlAin, Ibri, Bahla, Hoota Caves, Night stay at Jabal Shams Hotel)
Day 2: Jabal Shams - Nizwa (Night stay at Nizwa Hotel)
Day 3: Nizwa - Ras Al Jinz Turtle Beach (via Sur, Ras Al Hadd, Overnight Camping at Ras Al Jinz)
Day4: Ras Al Jinz - Masirah Route - Back to Sur (Along the coast road till road ends and desert begins, Night stay at Sur Hotel)
Day5: Sur - Yitti (via Salmah Plateau, Near Majlis-e-Jinn, Overnight camping at Yitti Beach)
Day6: Yitti Beach (second night camping at Yitti Beach)
Day7(Dec 9th, 2008): Yitti - Abu Dhabi (via Muscat, Sohar, AlAin, back home by 7.00 p.m.)

Trip Report:
Day 1(Dec 3rd, 2008): Abu Dhabi - Jabal Shams (via AlAin, Ibri, Bahla, Hoota Caves, Night stay at Jabal Shams Hotel)

We had planned to start at 4.00 a.m. but were able to start at 5.00 a.m. as the plan was to reach Jabal Shams before dark and we had to see Hoota Caves on our way.

Sunrise on the way to Al Ain

Drive to AlAin was uneventful and we were planning to enter Oman via Mezayed Border Post but one gentleman at AlAin Adnoc told us that expatriates are allowed to enter only via Khatm Al Shakla Border Post-KAS BP. Therefore, we decided to enter Oman via Khatm Al Shakla. This added another 30-45 minutes to our drive. Immigration at KAS BP was smooth, we only had to wait for about 30 minutes before our applications were typed by the guy at computer and thereafter it was more of a formality to exit UAE. We took the road towards Ibri immediately after exiting from KAS BP. After about 30 mins drive there is Oman immigration entry point. We were the only passenger cars at that border post at that time and officials there were very friendly. It took only 10 mins there to do the visa stamping and off we went on the ibri road.

Omani Border Post


Making sure the pressure is right before proceeding to Ibri road


I think it was a Mosque on the way to Jabal Shams

A board on the way to Hoota caves

Reception Building at Hoota Caves
We reached Hoota caves at about 2.00 p.m. and were given time of 3.00 p.m. to see the caves.

We spent time in the souvenir shop and waiting room there. It is a nice place with good facilities for the tourists. A guided tour of Hoota caves took about 1 hour and we were back to to reception area by 4.00. There is a small train that is supposed to take tourists from reception till cave entrance. But it was under repair and we had to walk about 400 mtrs to reach the cave enterance.

Train that is under repairs most of the times, as per the guide there

Manmade entrance to the caves

As everybody was hungry, we decided to have lunch at the restaurant there which is maintained very well.
Nice view from Restaurant

It took us about an hour or so to finish the lunch and we left for Jabal Shams at 5.00. It was getting dark fast and we did majority of driving in the dark. In about 1.30 hours we reached Jabal Shams and were able to find two nice rooms at the Jabal Shams Heights Rest House.
Jabal Shams Heights Rest House Reception

Day 2: Jabal Shams - Nizwa (Night stay at Nizwa Hotel)

Jabal Shams Heights Rest House

It was quite cold and rooms were very comfortable and clean.

Nice and Sunny Rooms


Canyon on the top of Jabal Shams

View Point on the way back from Jabal Shams


Up the rocks at the view point


On the way back to Nizwa

Day 3: Nizwa - Ras Al Jinz Turtle Beach (via Sur, Ras Al Hadd, Overnight Camping at Ras Al Jinz)

Day4: Ras Al Jinz - Masirah Route - Sur (Along the coast road till road ends and desert begins, Night stay at Sur Hotel)
Day5: Sur - Yitti (via Salmah Plateau, Near Majlis-e-Jinn, Overnight camping at Yitti Beach)
Day6: Yitti Beach (second night camping at Yitti Beach)

Day7(Dec 9th, 2008): Yitti - Abu Dhabi (via Muscat, Sohar, AlAin, back home by 7.00 p.m.)

Lessons Learnt:

• Take crocs like sandles instead of normal slippers
• Don't take too many warm clothes
• Take water jerrycan with a tap and a small stool to place it at the camp, it is very inconvenient to use bottles for washing etc
• There is no need to take inflatable mattresses, if the ground is going to be cold, take foam mats instead. This will save lot of hassle in inflating and deflating the mattresses, also the inflatable mattresses are a bit uncomfortable to sleep on.
• Take 4 small sofa cushions for the kids in the back seat instead of inflatable pillows
• for soap, take a small squeezie bottle instead of pump type bottle
• Take the shaver if possible, it is always good to look fresh
• There is no real need to carry large mat
• make an arrangement to charge the batteries in car
• buy the 4 person cookset which is compact
• take some dry fruits and namkeen
• take some ready to eat meals like ashoka, Sohna Sag, tuna cans, tahina cans, baked beans etc.
• take some cheese cans
• Nutella is very useful as kids always love to eat it
• take a scotchbrite to scrub the cookware
• Take headlamp for each of the persons
• take solar battery charging arrangement if possible
• Take an arrangement for shade if going for extended camping
• Pressure Cooker is very useful, take wherever possible. It could be used to quickly cook khichdi, Pulao, vegetables etc
• Take sufficiently sized gas burner if going for extended camping trip.
• Take lightweight gloves for doing rough camping work
• Take enough band-Aid strips of assorted shapes
• To be continued.................
  

Things to Fix:

• fix the loose grip of camp axe as it comes out
• fix a small loop inside the tent to hang the lantern
• To be continued...........

Trip Album:

For complete trip album http://picasaweb.google.com/bhallasunil/OmanTripDec2008#