11^ Abode of Gods
\
General Stratchey was the first person to record the move-
ment of the snout. He observed in 1848 that the mean daily
movement in the uppermost part was 5.3 inches, in the lower-
most part 4.8 inches and in the middle portion 10 inches for the
upper half and 9.4 inches for the lower half. In case we take
the average of all these, the mean movement of Pindari would
come about 74 inches per day. Taking the movement as a mea-
sure the snow falling at the source of the glacier would take
about 44 years to reach the snout. Thus in 1984, the snow reach-
Ing the shout would be that which fell in the year 1940.
The route to Pindari
Pindari is approachable by rail upto Kathgodarn from where
direct bus services are available upto Bageshwar passing through
such picturesque places as Ranikhet and Kausani. The closeness
of this glacier to the railhead and its exquisite beauty has drawn
the attention of trekkers and adventurers alike. The traffic to
Pindari has been continuous as is evinced from the glaring entries
made in the log books of Dak Bungalow.
After a day's rest and sight seeing spree at Bageshwar, the trek-
ker can leave for Kapkot again by bus. It involves a journey of
24km.
From Kapkot foot trek starts which passes through Loharkhet.
Enroute to Pindari, we travel for several miles upto the right
bank of the Suryu at first along a road shaded by bamboos and
other sub-tropical vegetations, for the valley is low and hot, but
afterwards usual pine, haze and maple trees are found. Oh !
what a charm of walking over forest paths. The sunlight falls
tempered by lofty foliage, between the tall straight stems of the
pines on the hillside, slopes or at higher elevation. One climbs
or descends among guarded leafy oak and rhodendron the earth
everywhere clothed with fern and moses and creeper, rnoist, cool
grass and emerald green river-bank on İvery side tempting the
eye to linger on their beauty. The scent of sweet wild flowers
mingles with the rosin flavoured odour of the pines, and bright
blue sky and glorious suashine,, over reach aH the fak scene, near
and far. It is indeed an earthly paradise.
A village here and there is passed., near some clearing in $10
forest, where the peaceful Kumaoni pursues his trade from gene-