MANALI: With dozens of frozen waterfalls and water streams inviting adventure enthusiasts to the Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh, ice climbing is the new activity in the valley where average temperature has plunged below minus 10 degrees C.
Over a hundred small and large waterfalls and water streams have frozen completely in entire Lahaul-Spiti district. The visitors are getting to see the wonders of nature for the first time in winter season thanks to Atal tunnel. Local youths from the valley, who had no work to do in winter season, are promoting winter tourism and want mountaineers, especially ice climbing enthusiasts, to visit Lahaul.
One adventure tourism agency owner in Keylong Sunil Bodh told TOI: “I and my friends have explored a large number of frozen waterfalls and streams where ice climbing is possible for both professionals and novice. The valley being huge in geographical area, we could explore only 25% of it so far. This is a happy moment for us that climbers have started to head to the valley. We are promoting our frozen falls extensively through social media and all available resources.”
Most of the frozen waterfalls are along Bhaga river, a tributary of Chenab, from Keylong towards Baralacha.
The largest frozen waterfall, measuring about 250m in length, has been found near Meh village. Many such ice formations have been found in Commander nullah.
“Possibly there will be even bigger frozen falls in the valley. Almost all the nullahs and rivulets meeting with the Bhaga river are forming similar ice structure, mostly near to their confluence. The temperature here is too low that even we can make the frozen fall at area of our choice after pouring water,” local resident Rahul Thakur said.
Local trained climbers have planned to conduct training camps for others in the valley with help from Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). The residents are happy that winter tourism will produce livelihood opportunities for the residents.
While a few climbers have already booked the activity, a limited number of tourists are expected to visit the valley this year but number is expected to multiply in the next season.