Satopanth Glacier
Encyclopedia
The Satopanth Glacier
is situated in the India
n state of Uttarakhand
.
The term ‘Satopanth’ is perhaps derived from two words – ‘Sato’ meaning heaven, and ‘Panth’ meaning path or way. The glacier is one of the popular glaciers of Uttarakhand. Mountaineers consider it a bit tough to scale.
Scientists claim that the Satopanth Glacier is retreating, though unlike as fast as the Gangotri Glacier. So, a number of preventive measures have been taken. Also since the glacier lies quite near the Indo-Tibet Border so photography is strictly prohibited.
. It sits below a 2,500 m (8,200 ft) face of the peak.
Originating at a height of 7000 meters from the peaks of the Chaukhamba
(7068m) and the Badrinath (6974m) mountains, the glacier spreads over a vast expanse of 13 km, this glacier melts into water at an altitude of 3810 meters. The Narayan Parvat and the foot of Balkun or Balakun
peak, touches the glacier.
(3128m) road. From Mana, the route follows the course of the Alaknanda River. At an elevation of 145 km, on the route, you will come across a water fall named Vasudhara, lying on the right bank of the Alaknanda River. The snout of Satopanth Glacier opens at about 5 km upwards from Vasudhara. 2 km down the valley, the left bank of the river offers good conditions for camping.
Satopanth Glacier can only be approached in summer months. Treks to this glacier is a very sought after adventure, for tourists in Uttaranchal.
The nearest airport is at Jollygrant, about 221 km, the nearest rail head is at Rishikesh and is well-connected by roads with Dehradun
, Haridwar
, Rishikesh, Nanital, and Almora
.
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
is situated in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
.
The term ‘Satopanth’ is perhaps derived from two words – ‘Sato’ meaning heaven, and ‘Panth’ meaning path or way. The glacier is one of the popular glaciers of Uttarakhand. Mountaineers consider it a bit tough to scale.
Scientists claim that the Satopanth Glacier is retreating, though unlike as fast as the Gangotri Glacier. So, a number of preventive measures have been taken. Also since the glacier lies quite near the Indo-Tibet Border so photography is strictly prohibited.
Geography
It lies on the northwest side of Nilkantha, a major peak of the Garhwal division of the HimalayasHimalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
. It sits below a 2,500 m (8,200 ft) face of the peak.
Originating at a height of 7000 meters from the peaks of the Chaukhamba
Chaukhamba
Chaukhamba is a mountain massif in the Gangotri Group of the Garhwal Himalaya. Its main summit, Chaukhamba I, is the highest peak in the group. It lies at the head of the Gangotri Glacier and forms the eastern anchor of the group...
(7068m) and the Badrinath (6974m) mountains, the glacier spreads over a vast expanse of 13 km, this glacier melts into water at an altitude of 3810 meters. The Narayan Parvat and the foot of Balkun or Balakun
Balakun
Balakun is the Himalayan peak situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state of India.The Balakun peak has the summit at an altitude of 6471 mts in the Garhwal Himalayas. Balakun Peak is located at the distance of 16 km from Badrinath. Balakun is situated north west to Badrinath...
peak, touches the glacier.
Other Information
The Satopanth Glacier can be approached from Joshimath in the Chamoli sub-division, by following the Badrinath and ManaMana
Mana is an indigenous Pacific islander concept of an impersonal force or quality that resides in people, animals, and inanimate objects. The word is a cognate in many Oceanic languages, including Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian....
(3128m) road. From Mana, the route follows the course of the Alaknanda River. At an elevation of 145 km, on the route, you will come across a water fall named Vasudhara, lying on the right bank of the Alaknanda River. The snout of Satopanth Glacier opens at about 5 km upwards from Vasudhara. 2 km down the valley, the left bank of the river offers good conditions for camping.
Satopanth Glacier can only be approached in summer months. Treks to this glacier is a very sought after adventure, for tourists in Uttaranchal.
The nearest airport is at Jollygrant, about 221 km, the nearest rail head is at Rishikesh and is well-connected by roads with Dehradun
Dehradun
- Geography :The Dehradun district has various types of physical geography from Himalayan mountains to Plains. Raiwala is the lowest point at 315 meters above sea level, and the highest points are within the Tiuni hills, rising to 3700 m above sea level...
, Haridwar
Haridwar
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India...
, Rishikesh, Nanital, and Almora
Almora
Almora is a municipal board, a cantonment town in the Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Almora was founded in 1568.It is a town bustling with activity and a rich cultural heritage and history. It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon region of...
.