Even if it didn't bear the title of the second highest peak in Pir Panjal range of Himachal Pradesh, Deo Tibba at 6,001M would still be one fascinating peak. After having experienced the peak a few times, leading expeditions in all seasons when the mountain is accessible, the only word that comes to our mind to describe Mt. Deo Tibba is 'capricious'. It's not it's ever changing moods that make it eccentric but the fact that each of its moods are at a level of extreme! It awakens in you the primal spirit to survive!
Other than its mercurial demeanor, which in itself makes it extremely appealing and also fairly intimidating to be honest, the mountain has a lot that makes it an interesting climb. While there is nothing like undergoing a certain experience on your own to give it meaning, we do want to warm you up to the many wonders of this wondrous mountain by digging into our archives of experiences and pulling out some of the things that we believe to be its defining features.
1) A Collection of the Unknowns and the Unknowables
Some mountains are cooperative and welcoming. Mt. Deo Tibba is, well, NOT! Its moods are a mixed bag – some pleasant, some not and changing every second. Do not believe anyone who tells you that it is a fair weathered mountain because it is anything but! But its restlessness is the very quality that keeps the climb interesting through and through for you never know what the mountain is going to throw your way next. It will keep you on your toes and have you thinking on your feet all the way through.
A piece of advice; if it is sunny one second, on Deo Tibba, don’t count on it to remain that way into the next second because assure you we will, the mountain will hit you with a snowstorm and a whiteout when you least expect it. On some occasions you will be left shielding your face from the sharp pellets of snow, on others battling through the hard blow of the wind, and on others yet shivering to the bones, teeth chattering like a mob of sparrows. On some occasions you will find yourself scrambling on all fours on the mountain’s menacing slopes and on others fighting to keep upright on the slippery muck of its forested lands.
All in all, never a dull moment on this one!
Checkout - Mt Deo Tibba - 300M to Summit
2) The Gullies to Heaven
The reputation of Duhangan Col truly precedes it. If you trek a lot, it's possible that the slopes leading to Duhangan Col have made for a campfire story at some point. The col doubles up as Camp 1 on the expedition to Deo Tibba (6,001M) which is stationed in the Pir Panjal range in Himachal Pradesh. If you've heard the stories about the col, it IS truly as intimidating as they make it sound. Its 60-65 degree slopes which when rocky present you with special challenges as compared to when the slopes are laden with snow. What's more is that once you cross it, you are greeted by an equally daunting ice gully the very next day of the climb!
These gullies prove to be the best practice grounds for all kinds of skills you own as a mountaineer or to develop new ones. Crossing these near vertical gullies one after the other is not only great for up skilling but also does wonders for your confidence as a climber. The views after crossing each of these gullies is only a cherry on the mountain top!
Checkout - Mt Deo Tibba - Who is this expedition meant for
3) Aren’t You A Work of Art?
Mt. Deo Tibba is full of quirky qualities that set it apart from other mountains. One of the many ways it defies the set rules of the mountain world is its dome shaped summit. This peculiarly shaped top is not a sharp, singular point of the mountain which can be called the highest but a flat, more plateau like dome of ice – definitely a thing that sets it apart! Deo Tibba really knows how to stand out from the crowd.
4) Second Only to One
As the second highest peak of the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas, Deo Tibba is second only to Mt. Indrasan which at an elevation of 6,220M is the highest and also the most difficult mountain to climb in the range. It is considered so daunting that the count of number of attempts on this peak to date is extremely low.
A technical peak itself, Deo Tibba has a much higher count of summit attempts since it is much more climbable. It also gives out as an offering an unobstructed view of the formidable structure of Mt. Indrasan from Camp 2 (summit camp).
You experience true beauty when, at summit camp, you wake up to the view of Indrasan (6,220M) and Deo Tibba (6,001M), the tallest and the second tallest peaks of the Pir Panjal range standing next to each other. Even though from that height, their crowns seem to be a stone throw away, you feel the full force of their power as they tower above you with their incredible forms.
Adding a 6000er to your list of climbing achievements is only a very good-looking add-on.
5) Thick With Beauty
Each campsite on this trail is thick with beauty. The first campsite at Chikka sits right in the middle of an impressively picturesque setting. With the Jagatsukh nala flowing noisily right alongside, horses grazing on the bright green grass, a wide open land at the end of the forest and the Dolmite-like pointy mountain structures in the backdrop; there’s nothing to fault about this view even if you tried.
We reach the second campsite, which is Seri after crossing the enthusiastic nala twice. Crossing over is quite an adventure but it is nothing compared to the gorgeousness of the campsite itself. A massive meadow rife with wildflowers scattered across its floors, Seri gives you the first glimpse of the dome of Deo Tibba. Right under the dome is a massive waterfall just joyously making its way to the floor of the meadow and spreading into the veins of the nala to water the land. If you think this is beautiful, we can say this with a high degree of certainty that you will lose your mind when you witness this exact same setting as the sky turns all shades of orange and purple with the setting sun. As the colours dance around in the many small streams around the campsite – it is the dance of the land with the high mountains as its audience.
At basecamp is when things get raw. The tree line now miles below, the land here is all rocky and cold. With the colours of the sky to compliment the monotone of the land, it makes for the best place to be around at during dawn and dusk. It doesn’t hurt that you are in the constant presence of Deo Tibba now standing guard.
(For a more detailed description of each day’s route, nature of the trail etc. check out the Itinerary Page)
Camp 1 and the Summit Camp each sit on top of a very challenging climb in the middle of a massive snowfield and offer the best views as a reward. You have to be here to know what we are talking about!
Checkout - Mt Deo Tibba Photo Story
6) The Right Balance
The expedition has the right balance of easy days and hard days. It allows you at its feet, but makes you sweat in its bone-chilling cold weather to get to its crown. For anyone who is a mountain enthusiast knows Deo Tibba is no easy peak to climb. To reach the summit of Deo Tibba (6,001M) is a massive achievement because it is THAT difficult. More than grit alone, it is also rare that the mountain allows it. It is believed to be divine and you feel the full force of the mountain only when you are in the thick of it. That's when things get interesting!
Deo Tibba is special because it makes you earn your place on it.
7) Mixed Terrain: An Exciting Playground
Deo Tibba (6,001M) is a technically challenging peak. Navigating its multiple ice gullies requires the use of technical equipment and a fair bit of technical know-how. Towering just over Jagathsukh village, getting to the trail head of this peak is a mere one hour ride from the tourist heavy city of Manali. It's easy to get to but just as hard to get up on. If you are looking to move into the range of the 6000s, we'd strongly suggest you give Deo Tibba a shot to know all that mountaineering entails.
The mixed terrain of this mountain, with forests, boulder strewn sections, ice gullies on near vertical slopes is every climber’s nightmare and every climber’s joy. For the skills required to navigate each section it is a perfect playground for those who want to practice all their abilities as a mountaineer in one single expedition. The terrain provides for the most perfect training ground as well as a self-assessment tool for those who find themselves drawn to adventure sports – especially the big mountains. It is the perfect expedition for you to hone your existing skills and learn some new ones.
8) A Mountain-full of Stories
Known as the meeting ground for the Gods, there is a story waiting for you at every corner of this mountain’s trail. To read more about the fables and tales attached to this magnificent peak, read Legends Untold of Deo Tibba Base Camp Trek.
9) Chota Chandratal
Chota Chandratal is a high-altitude lake near the base of Mt. Deo Tibba. For its placement and its electric blue waters resting bang in the middle of snow clad mountains, this placid lake is a fairly popular trekking destination. Not only is it just an hour’s hike away from our base camp and makes for one of the best acclimatization walks ever, the expedition to Deo Tibba also gives you the view of this pot of magnificence from various angles. There are few things that have the ability to soothe the soul like looking back to find a bird’s eye view of this vessel that holds some of the sweetest water you ever tasted, from Duhangan Col at the end of the slope of a very hard climb to get to Camp 1.
Deo Tibba is merciless at times but it also provides what very few can.
