Kedarkantha - My first snow trek in Himalaya !!
- VagaBong Journey
- Jul 20, 2020
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 20, 2020
Hey! How was your trek?
It was good but we didn’t get any snow. Oh! Did you not get snow at the summit also? No man. Just no sign of snow at all. I don’t think you guys also get to experience the “snow trek”. It will be very normal experience then, Kedarkantha in winter has known as the “snow trek”but I am not sure how we will enjoy the snow trek without snow.
Trek was good but the snow part was a disappointment. Yeah! Let’s hope for the snow.
The above conversation was taking place when I reached Delhi on 24th and waiting for Delhi – Dehradun Shatabdi Express at New Delhi station in the morning and my friend just came back from the trek. I was a bit disappointed as this would be my first snow trek and chances are high that I may not experience the snow, but the nature presented me a surprise gift on the Christmas Eve which will be revealed to you guys at the right time. I was travelling to Dehradun with my favorite travel companion, Jyoti and her friend Shalmali and we reached Dehradun at 12:50 PM. Our plan was to visit Robber’s Cave or Guchhupani after having lunch. It is a river cave formation, located approximately 8 km from the center of Dehradun City. It consists of an extremely narrow gorge formed in a conglomerate limestone area and river flows inside the caves. It was very nice experience to visit the caves.
Day 1 – Dehradun to Sankri (25th December, 2016)
We assembled at the ticket counter of Dehradun station at 6:30 AM and our travel coordinator Ajay arranged cab for us. Our group consisted of 30 people and they had provided two TATA Sumos and two tempo travellers to accommodate us. We started our journey to Sankri (the base village) at 7:30 AM, which is 220 KM from Dehradun. The drive to Sankri took us through Mussoorie, Nowgaon, Purola, Mori and Naitwar. The scenic beauty of this route is just mind-blowing. We stopped at Kempty falls, mussoorie for breakfast and we had lunch at Purola. Do not sleep after having the delicious aloo paratha in Purola as the drive from purola onwards will make you smile instantly. The road winds through tall pine trees and opens up to the views of the entire valley.
We reached Sankri around 4 PM and we went for a stroll after having snacks. Sankri is a small village with full of nice people and it is world apart from our concrete jungle. One thing I learnt from the “pahari” people that you can smile always even if you are living a tough life.
We assembled at the hall of our hotel at 7:30 PM for a briefing. There was an introduction speech by our “awesome” trek leader Abhirup and then we had a small introductory session where we actually came to know our trek mates. I am very glad that IH gave all of us one eco bag to maintain the green trail. As they said that they try to inculcate the spirit of trekking in all their trekkers, we are also privileged to be a part of the green trail initiative where we collect garbage from the trail and dump it in a sack in every campsite during the trek and try to make the mountain clean. It was not mandatory for all, but being a trekker and mountain lover, I think we all should join our hands to keep the mountain clean. Our schedule was 6-7- 8 tomorrow. This is the equation you have to follow while you are on trek. 6-7-8 means wake up call at 6 AM, Breakfast at 7 AM and we will start our journey at 8 AM. Day 2 – Sankri to Juda ka Talab (26th December, 2016)
Though our schedule was 678, we started our journey at 8:30 AM. We covered total 4 km which took almost 5 hours to reach our next base camp, Juda ka Talab. It was raining last night so our fingers were crossed and we were hoping for the snow. It was so chilly that we all were ready to roll with our five layers clothing which eventually reduced to two layers only. We started our journey with our commanding officers – ‘The pathfinder’ Jayram Bhai (Maxwell), who leads the batch, Abhirup (our trek lead) who takes care of everyone and the ‘sweeper’ Parbeen bhai who is the last person on the trail and makes sure no one is left behind.
Walking amidst pine forest, as your footsteps crunch over the carpet of maple and pine leaves, you will realise suddenly that you have reached the most beautiful campsite – Juda ka Talab. A large lake one side and thick edge of oak and pine forest in another side just make this place perfect to set a camp site. Oh yes! We experienced the surprise we were hoping for – SNOW.
You have entered the “no connectivity” zone, so keep your mobile aside for few days and enjoy the serenity. The first thing we did is we took our oximeter reading as many of us were the first timer in high altitude trek and it is advisable to drink as much water as you can so that you can acclimatize your body perfectly in high altitude and your oximeter reading preferably should be more than 85.
We had a stretching session after the trek to keep our muscles happy. We were enjoying the peacefulness after lunch and our trek lead organised some ‘ice break’ activity after snacks so that everyone in the group can be more comfortable with their co-trekkers. We had dinner and were lost under the sky full of stars but we decided to go inside our sleeping bags when Abhirup said that schedule for tomorrow is again 6-7- 8.
Day 3 – JKT to Kedarkantha base Camp (27th December, 2016)
We are going closer to our destination. The trail out of JKT is quite straight forward and enters the darkest part of the pine forest which is indeed an amazing experience. The altitude of KK base camp is 11,250 feet and we started from 9,100 feet. The total time we took was around 3 hours to reach our destination which is 4 km far from our previous camp. The path requires a bit stiff climb for an hour and half, then the gently ascending walk for few minutes was a bit relief.
You can soothe your eyes by looking at the startling Swargrohini peak throughout the trek. A short climb later, the trail opens out to a large clearing and we could see our destination – The Kedarkantha peak. When you reach the KK base camp, white peaks stretched from your left to your right developing a wide arc. Bandarpoonch, Swargrohini, Kala Nag and Ranglana stands out from the score’s others.
We were busy playing games and pulling each other’s leg after having lunch and then we started for one hour acclimatization walk at 3:30 PM. The “acclimatization walk” was mind blowing for the scenic beauty of the place where we were going and the whole path was covered with snow. After coming back from the walk, we experienced a marvellous sunset on the mountains.
We were introduced to another two leaders who will help us to reach to the summit next day, Jeetu bhai and Deepak bhai who have done mountaineering courses from NIM and they will guide us to the summit. They gave each of us a pair of ice cleats which will help us to control our grip on the ice during the trek to the summit. There was a short session regarding the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ on the trek and how to maintain the formation of the group. Then we had dinner at 7:30 PM and jumped inside the sleeping bag as the schedule for tomorrow is 2:30-3:00- 3:30 AM.
Day 4 – KK Base Camp to Kedarkantha peak and then descend to Hargaon Camp (28th December, 2016)
Wake up call at 2:30 AM and we were ready to march to the summit at sharp 3:30 AM. We had to hike to 12500 feet from 11250 feet. The Kedarkantha peak was clearly visible from the meadows, we were near to our ultimate destination, yet so far. We left early as we had plan to experience sunrise from the peak or atleast from the mountain ridge and this experience is something which is worth getting out of your cosy sleeping bag so early.
The route was quite simple. After some hiking and descending through the oak and pine forest, the trail vanishes and it is a straight forward climb to the top of the peak. The picturesque scenery of the mountains is the only thing you can experience here and cherish forever, it is just a path to heaven.
We experienced the spectacular sunrise from the mountain ridge and the feeling was heavenly. It was very chilly and windy on the top of the mountain but we didn’t even care about that as we were very busy embracing the gift of nature. The Kedarkantha summit is marked by a square arrangement of stones with a trishul that points to the sky, the incense sticks and dried coconuts are the symbols of religious devotion that the summit holds for the local people. You can get a 360 degree view of the mighty snow clad ranges. You can point out Gangotri and Yamunotri ranges, Chanhsil pass and the Kinner Kailash ranges.
After taking the group photo at the summit and tons of photographs of the mountains, it’s time for us to descend. We started hiking in the middle of the night, but while descending, we realized how beautiful the path was. There is a dhaba en route and we had maggi and omelette there.
Then we came to Kedarkantha Base Camp, submitted our ice cleats, and took some rest, had lunch and we started descending to Hargaon at 3 PM. We walked in the pine forest and reach Hargaon camp at 4:30 PM. The Hargaon campsite is another campsite what one cannot forget because of its tranquility. We celebrated birthday of our two trek mates – KV and Shalmali, thanks IH for the yummy cake.
Day 5 – Hargaon Camp to Sankri (29th December, 2016)
It was a lazy day for us but the schedule was still 6-7- 8. We had the group pic at the camp and we start descending at 8:30, indeed we became lazy after the trek. Descending through the pine forest, the trail evens out at a point and come to a ridge from where you can catch a view of vast open Har Ki Dun valley. We reached Sankri at 11 AM.
We had our closing ceremony at our hotel where we shared our experiences of the trek and promised to meet again in another valley or pass in Himalaya. After having lunch, we went for a stroll in the village and met some nice people.
Day 6 – Sankri to Dehradun (30th December, 2016)
We didn’t want to, but we had to come back to our materialistic world and we left Sankri at 9 AM.
We three got down at Mussoorie as we have plan to roam around Mussoorie next day. We checked in hotel and went for a stroll in the mall road area. With the festive season on its way in, it won’t be long before it’s time to say goodbye to the current year and bring in the new and Mussoorie was getting ready to welcome the new year.
We had visited Kempty falls, Mussoorie Lake, Bhatta falls and experienced cable car and then reached Dehradun at 7 PM on 31 st December. We boarded Nanda Devi Express at 11 PM. It was quite an amazing experience to spend the new year eve in train and everyone in the train were celebrating and wishing everybody to have a great year ahead. It is time to wake up from the dream and getting ready for the reality, we are hoping to meet our new friends in any other slope in the mighty Himalayas.
Thanks Arka....I am glad you like it....stay with us for more travel stories !!
Vai wonderful..the way you portray the journey is really appreciable.. Beautiful
Thanks Indraneel. Hope our paths (mountain slope in this case 🙂 ) cross again in the future. Give my love to Vikram.
Thanks Virat, for this walk down memory lane. This was Vikram's first trek and we will remember it always. Indraneel
Thanks for the kind words Sayak. The most valuable part of my journey is you guys. More travel stories are coming, stay connected. Cheers !!