Glaciers In Uttaranchal

Uttaranchal is the land of snowy mountains, gushing waterfalls and icy glaciers. Nestled amidst the snowy Himalayas, from these glaciers a number of rivers and waterfalls originate that are the source India’s biggest rivers and river valleys. From the Ganges to the Yamuna, most of the rivers originate from glaciers in Uttaranchal.

From the great Gangotri glacier to the breathtakingly beautiful Satopnath Glacier, they are the most sought after destinations for the adventure tourists. Considered to be sacred and with mythological importance the glaciers in Uttaranchal are also important for religious tours.

Famous Glaciers In Uttaranchal :

Bandarpunch Glacier :
Bandarpunch Glacier is located in the Yamuna basin of Himalayas. This glacier is important as well as interesting for geologists because of its interesting formation style. It is formed on the northern slopes of three peaks, Bandarpunch peak (6316m), Bandarpunch west (6102m), and Khatling peak (6387m). This 12 kilometre long glacier owes its formation to three cirque glavier and it later joins river Yamuna. Some moraines left by the glacier mark its last level.

Khatling Glacier :
This lateral glacier serves as the source for river Bhilangna. The glacier is surrounded by snow capped peaks of Jogin group (6646M), Sphetic pristwar (6905 m), Barte Kauter (6579 m), Kirti Stambh (6902 m) and Meru. The moraines deposited by the glacier on the sides give impressions of gravel walls bordering the glacier. Coming under the Tehri district, the trek to Khatlang Glacier is one of the most sought after treks in Uttaranchal. A moderate trekker can under take this trek easily.

Gangotri Glacier :
A well known religious pilgrimage by Hindus, Gangotri Glacier is the source of the holiest river of Hindus, Ganges. Gangotri is one of the largest Glacier in Himalayas, its volume is estimated to be approximately 28 cubic kilometres. The glacier originates at a height of 7,100 meters above the sea level. It is formed as a result of coming together of several small glaciers.

Dokriani Bamak :
Dokriani Glacier or Bamak (bomak means glacier) is a glacier in Bhagirathi basin. The glacier originates at a height of approximately 6000 meters and is formed due to joining of two cirques at the northern slopes of Draupadi-ka-Danda (5600 metres) and Jaonli (6000 meters).

Chorbari Glacier :
Originating from the Southern slope of Kedar dome, Chorbari Glacier is six kilometers long. Kirti stambh, Bhartekhunta and other glaciers divide it from the Gangotri glacier group. It comes under Rudraprayag district. At the snout of the glacier, there are huge deposits of moraines and debris. The glacier melts into streams of water called Mandakini, which merges into Alaknanda at Rudraprayag.

Satopanth Glacier :
Satopanth is formed with two words, Sato meaning heaven and panth meaning path, literally meaning the path to heaven. Satopanth along with Bhagirathi Kark serve as the sources of river Alaknanda. The glacier is just 17 kilometers from the famous holy temple of Badrinath in Chamoli district. The glacier originates at a height of 7000 meters. The peaks of Chaukhamba (7068 meters ) and Badrinath (6974 meters) serves as the originators of this glacier.

Tiprabamak :
There are some 16 glaciers forming in the Bhuyender Ganga Basin and Alaknanda catchment but only Tiprabamak and Ratanban are of some significance. There is a cave at the snout of this glacier where the melted water of the glacier comes out from. You will see that the surface of the glacier is covered with heavy deposits of debris.

Doonagiri Glacier :
One of the important glaciers of Dhauli Ganga basin, Dhoonagiri is one of the five hundred glaciers that are formed in the basin. Small large, in assorted shapes, these glaciers lie in the valleys formed here. Forming at a height of some 5000 meters, the glacier's snout is at 4240 meters. Water stream from the glacier merges into Dhauliganga near Juma Village.

Pindari Glacier :
One of the most easy treks in Pindari Glacier in Kumoan region. Every year hundreds of trekkers undertake this trek. What lures people here is the rugged beauty of the place. Lying between Nandadevi and Nandkot peaks is Pindari glacier which terminates at a height of some 3000 meters. This five kilometer long glacier gives birth to Pindari river which drains the valley.