Satopanth — Attraction in Uttarakhand

The Satopanth glacier is situated in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. River Alaknanda has it origin in Satopanth glacier. The glacier is one of the tourists favorite glaciers of Uttarakhand. Mountaineers consider it somewhat challenging to scale.

Balkun Peak dividing Satopanth Glacier in the left and Bhagirath Kharak Glacier in the right.

Type Mountain glacier Location Uttarakhand, India Coordinates30°45′12.2″N 79°21′51.1″

The term ‘Satopanth’ is perhaps derived from two words – ‘Sat-o’ meaning of truth, and ‘Panth’ meaning path or way. So its literal meaning is the path of truth Informally Satopanth glacier lies on the northwest side of Nilkantha, a major peak of the Garhwal division of the Himalayas. 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.

Scientists claim that the Satopanth Glacier is retreating, though not as fast as the Gangotri Glacier. So, a number of preventive measures have been taken.[citation needed] Also, as the glacier lies quite near the Indo-Tibet Border, photography is strictly prohibited.

The Satopanth Glacier can be approached from Joshimath in the Chamoli sub-division, by following the Badrinath and Mana (3128 m above sea level) road. From Mana, the route follows the course of the Alaknanda River. On the route, you will come across a waterfall named Vasudhara Falls, lying on the right bank of the Alaknanda River. The snout of Satopanth Glacier opens at about 5 km upwards from Vasudhara Falls. Two kilometers 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 Uttarakhand.

The nearest airport is at Jollygrant, about 221 km, the nearest rail station is at Rishikesh and is well-connected by roads...

Mt. Satopanth (7075m) is one of the prominent peaks of the Garhwal range of Himalayas that politically fall in the Indian subcontinent and the also the second highest peak in Gangotri National Park. The nomenclature of the peak is derived by an amalgamation of two Sanskrit words “Sato” meaning ‘Truth’ and “Panth” meaning “A Figure of veneration or Devotion” when combined means {The True Figure of Devotion and Veneration}. The mountain was first climbed successfully by a Swiss expedition in the glorious Indian year of 1947 15 days prior to the Indian independence, the team was led by Andre Roch. Lately the mountain has become quite famous for its Pre-Everest expeditions, because of the variety of mature technicalities that she boasts of; like Her majestic altitude, the daunting ‘knife ridge’ at 6500m and some technical Ice and rock glacial negotiations at 5900 m. Satopanth is a mountain in the Gangotri region of the Garhwal Himalaya, in the Indian Himalayas. It lies in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Colin Kirkus climbed Satopant'h with Charles Warren in 1933 while a member of Marco Pallis's expedition; his account of the climb is included in Pallis's book Peaks and Lamas.[1]

The mountain was climbed in 1947 by a Swiss expedition. The summit was reached by André Roch, René Ditterit, Alexander Graven and Alfred Sutter on...

Mt Satopanth, standing at an height of more than 7075 mtrs/ 23212 ft is the tallest mountain in the gangotri region and a magnificent beautiful looking mountain. To reach the base of the mountain itself is a Herculean task. The trek to this mountain starts from gangotri. Gangotri to Bhojbhasa is the first trek which is a 14 kms trek of moderate nature. Then from Bhojbhasa to Nandanvan via Gomukh which will take at least 5-6 hrs for an average man to trek/climb and is a difficult trek. Then from Nandanvan to Vasukital lake which is the base camp of Mt Satopanth, and takes roughly the same time and is a moderate trek. But one cannot see this magnificent mountain from Vasukital lake, and have to trek for another 2 hrs from Vasukital lake to have the first glimpse of this...