Drang Drung Glacier - Aug '21
- Gopal
- Oct 31, 2021
- 3 min read
The Drang-Drung Glacier (also called Durung Drung Glacier) is a mountain glacier near the Pensi La mountain pass at the Kargil - Zanaskar Road in the Kargil district of Ladakh. The Drang-Drung Glacier is likely to be the largest glacier in Ladakh other than the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram Range with a maximum length of 23 km (14 mi) at an average elevation of 4,780 m (15,680 ft). The glacier lies in the North Eastern Himalayan Range known as the Zanskar Range, 142 km (88 mi) South of Kargil and 331 km (206 mi) East of Srinagar.
The Drang-Drung Glacier is a long river of ice and snow, a source of the Stod River which is a tributary of the Zanskar River and the Zanskar River is a tributary of Indus River. Doda Peak with an elevation of 6,550 m (21,490 ft) rises from the glacier.
Source : WikiPedia
Travel Date : 19th Aug ‘21 to 26th Aug ‘21
Company : Spritual Trek Adventure Company led by Tundup Namgial
It was a two day drive from Leh to reach the spot of our camp site from where we could start the actual trek. On 19th, the drive was - Leh - Wanla village - Sirsir La pass - Shingo La pass - Tsarak do – Zangla. On 20th the drive was Zangla - Padum – Penzila. The entire drive was so scenic. The camping spot, just opposite to the glacier, was amazing and sitting inside the tent one can admire the beauty of the gigantic glacier.
Gorgeous view of the glacier from the camp site
Landscape during the the drive
The actual trek was for 4 days i.e 21st to 24th. Started on 21st post breakfast walking down a pile of stones, crossing water body with attractive flowers and then climbing up towards the glacier. Once at a little high, the view of the entire glacier was spectacular. I was a bit nervous initially when walking on the glacier, thought I may need a crampon / spikes but then the glacier ice was rock solid and it wasn’t that difficult to walk.
After covering a distance of about 5.34 KMs, we reached our camp site to rest for the day. Next day we started walking deep inside the glacier. It was a fantastic walk – hard ice, mountains on either side, deep holes in the ice with water flowing in some places, streams of glacier water flowing, crevices, patterns on the ice and so on. Not a moment was sort of dull or boring as there were plenty to experience and enjoy. Weather was playing a bit bad, over cast and drizzling occasionally. This day the distance we covered, camp to camp was about 11.66 KMs. With the days memory and hoping the weather to improve we retired for the day.
Landscape captured during the trek
Deep holes in the glaciers are seen throughout the trek
Streams from glacier water
Formation from the rocks fallen from the mountains
Crevices - One has to exercise caution while walking near crevices
Day 3, we were so excited to see the weather clear out and finally we got to see the sun and the blue sky. With light coming out the entire place was looking totally different compared to the previous day. The original plan was to walk further inside i.e. beyond what we did on Day 2, camp and then go further up inside the glacier. Unfortunately due to non-availability of support staff necessary safety equipment could not be carried and hence couldn’t camp higher. This day the distance we covered, camp to camp was about 16.99 KMs.
Hot lunch being prepared during the trek
Day 4 with the memories of the trek we returned back to the initial point and then drove down to a different spot in Penzila. This camping spot was amazing, surrounded by mountains and glacier lakes. We were fortunate to get a clear sky in the night and we able to capture the stars and the milky way with the lake and the mountains. It is an unforgettable experience to just lie down and watch the sky infested with stars. In fact the milky way is visible even with naked eye due to zero pollution. The day I was shooting was closer to full moon day. I just had a window of about 30 minutes between the sky getting dark, the moon coming out of the mountain and the milky way positioning exactly where we wanted. Once the moon comes out then the sky will be completely washed out. I used PhotoPills to meticulously plan this shot. Thanks to Manish Lakhani as the entire planning was guided by him.
Sun Set time lapse video
Camping site at Penzila
We then headed back to Leh via Kargil. Though this was a very short trek and with less intensity, but it was a very interesting, different and a memorable one.
To view the album ---> https://gvgops6.wixsite.com/drang-drung-glacier
Hi Gooal, truly interesting. you have captured the trek like an expert author. photos are quite eye pleasing. Serenity at it’s best. Lovely. tks.
Hi Gopal,
Breathtaking Photos, loved it thoroughly. You will soon become David Attenborough Gopal!
Im sure it would have been out of the world expereince.
Keep them coming. Hope I can join the next trip.
Gopal your photos and description of the trek are National Geographic-worthy! Awesome...especially the picture of milky way! Keep sending us pictures from your future travels; it is almost as good as being there myself :)
Hi Gopal, enjoyed reading your post. If I may please take the liberty of making a recommendation; mentioning the temperatures (both day and night time) would make the description of your trek more vivid. Also, please share your experience of viewing the sky at night time. Without the air and light pollution, I am sure it would have been fascinating!