After Mt. Stok Kangri, our team wanted to go for a small leisure trek where we can enjoy and spend some quality time amidst mountains. We decided to go for KedarKantha trek. KedarKantha trek is a winter trek covered in sparkling snow during winters one can view majestic Himalayan peaks. Kedarkantha top is based in Garhwal in the Uttarkashi District. This trek is famous for being one of the easy treks of the country which can also be done by inexperienced trekkers.
Day 01, 03rd February 2020
Team started from Kharagpur around 1500Hrs. Alok came with sweets and best wishes to see off us. We boarded Doon express from Howrah around 2025 Hrs. Me, Sourav, Jayanta, Avik, Mou, Anup and Tapas boarded from Howrah.
Day 02, 04th February
In Transit
Day 03, 05th February
Haridwar - Sankri
Reached Haridwar at 0530 Hrs. Gajendra and Antara joined us at Haridwar Railway station. One of Avik's family friend came to meet them. Our bus was already parked, we loaded all our sacks on the bus and treated ourselves with a fresh ginger tea.
We left for Sankri around 0700 Hrs, had our breakfast at Kempty Falls around 0930Hrs. We reached Sankri via Mussoorie – Kempty Waterfalls – Nainbagh – Purola – Mori – Naitwar – Kotgaon. Its a 270Kms drive from Haidwar to Sankri, around 1600 Hrs we reached Sankri. Hotel Swargarohini was booked for our stay. Four rooms were provided for our team. We checked into the hotel. Day ended with a warm dinner followed by our sacks packing.
Day 04, 06th February
Sankri (6400ft) - Juda Ka Talab (9100ft)
After having a heavy breakfast we were provided with crampons and gaiters. Around 0900 Hrs we started moving. First 500 m trail is through the village and then we enter into the Govind National Park.
Trail from this point is complete ascent upto Basecamp. We walk through dense Pine forest, on our left we can see the glimpses of Bandarpoonch, Ranglana, Swargarohini and Kala Nag. Few dhabas or we can say tea stalls are available enroute Juda Ka Talab. These Tea stalls are at equal intervals where you will get refreshing ginger lemon tea and yummy maggi or omelette.
We reached Juda Ka Talab around 1350 Hrs. Tents were already pitched there. There are cluster of tents with their agency banners. Campsite was very beautiful, surrounded with pine trees and completely covered with snow, colorful tents are pitched in between, is a treat for photographers. Juda Ka Talab was frozen and no one was allowed to go near the lake. The stretch today was of just 4Kms but being too much of ascent it took us around 4.5 Hours. After lunch we all went into the dining tent and spent remaining day chatting and discussing fun stories of our past treks. Another family from Gujarat (husbad, wife and daughter) joined us in the dining tent. Day ended with a nice dinner.
Day 05, 07th February
Juda Ka Talab (9100ft) - Kedarkantha Basecamp (11,250ft)
It was a 4Kms trek, the moment we crossed the lake, there is too much ascent in the trail. Trail goes under the oak trees and few meadows where we can see the Shepherd log huts. Most of today's trail was on a ridge. We started around 1000 Hrs and reached KedarKantha Basecamp around 1200 Hrs. As usual each agency pitched their tents perfectly at different places.
All the agency camps were at selected places at proper distance so that one can enjoy a clear view of the night sky. By the time we had our lunch, the sky was covered with clouds and again we were facing the same situation like our last expedition to Mt. Stok Kangri. We started praying for the weather conditions to improve and the almighty heard us. By evening sky was clear and the moon was in its perfect round shape. After an early dinner we slip into our tents.
Day 06, 08th February
Kedarkantha Basecamp (11,250ft) - Kedarkantha Top (12,500ft) - Back to Sankri
We woke up around 0130 Hrs and started our preparations. Around 0300 Hrs we were all ready with our napsacks and geared with crampons and gaiters. Basecamp was lit up in full moon light, tall spruce trees around the snow covered meadow. The night sky was a welcome sight for all of us. Stars shone as diamonds split over the black marble. First kilometer trail was through dense forest. Tree line ended and we entered into beautiful snow clad meadows with glittering sky. Small tea break at a tea stall enroute and then we continued for our summit. Gradually we were moving towards the summit and slowly getting casted in crimson, bathed in a golden glow. So was the sky equally mesmerising, parts of blue and a chorus of greys and streaks of silvers and golds.
At 0720Hrs our complete team reached the summit, after few clicks we paid homage to the almighty and started descending immediately. Chilly wind resisted us from clicking too many photographs on the top. There is a Shiva temple and a properly built Ganesha Temple just few feets below the summit top. We descended sliding on the snow. But while sliding down we saw a boy from another team twisted his legs and was unable to walk. They were not even having a first aid kit with them. I was having a first aid kit in my napsack, we gave him a little first aid tied him a bandage. Their guide and support team tied his legs and dragged him to the basecamp. After that nobody dared to slide any more. Slowly we walked towards the Basecamp clicking pictures. We reached Basecamp around 1000 Hrs. After lunch we left Basecamp around 1200Hrs and started descending. Taking small breaks at the tea stalls we continued to walk and reached Sankri around 1630 Hrs.
In evening they honored us with certificates and then we went on a eating spree and tried all the eateries on the roadside. Day ended with delicious chicken, which we specially ordered from a nearby hotel. Today our trek was comprised of 2Km trek to the summit and then 10Km trek return to Sankri. Early morning 0300Hrs we started walking and day ended around 1630Hrs, we walked almost around 13.5 Hours.
Day 07, 09th February
Sankri - Haridwar
After an early breakfast we loaded all our sacks on the same bus by which we came here. We took a small break at Netwar and then at Kempty Falls. We reached Haridwar around 1900 Hrs. Had our dinner at very famous Dada-Boudi Hotel". After dinner we all went to the bus stand. Avik and Mou tickets were confirmed on train so left us and boarded the train. Our bus to Delhi came at 2300Hrs.
Day 08, 10th February
Delhi - Kolkata - KGP
Early hours of 10th February around 0530Hrs we reached New Delhi ISBT. Gajendra, Antara and Abhishek left us and we waited few more hours at ISBT. We boarded flight at 1100 Hrs and reached Kolkata around 1400 Hrs. A cab was already booked for our journey upto KGP.
Another trek ended with lots of memories to remember and pictures to cherish. This time our Team Let's Hike Kharagpur complete team successfully summited KedarKantha Top (12,500ft).
Team Let's Hike Kharagpur (From Left to Right) : Abhishek Mallareddy, Avik Pal, Jayanta Adhikary, Mou Pal, Sourav Bhunia, Antara Chowdhury, Tapas Das, Anup Sekhar, Jaydhar Chowdhary, Gajendra Muddeli
Day 01, 03rd February 2020
Team started from Kharagpur around 1500Hrs. Alok came with sweets and best wishes to see off us. We boarded Doon express from Howrah around 2025 Hrs. Me, Sourav, Jayanta, Avik, Mou, Anup and Tapas boarded from Howrah.
Day 02, 04th February
In Transit
Day 03, 05th February
Haridwar - Sankri
Reached Haridwar at 0530 Hrs. Gajendra and Antara joined us at Haridwar Railway station. One of Avik's family friend came to meet them. Our bus was already parked, we loaded all our sacks on the bus and treated ourselves with a fresh ginger tea.
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| Haridwar Railway Station |
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| Haridwar Railway Station |
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| Team Let's Hike Kharagpur at Haridwar Railway Station |
We left for Sankri around 0700 Hrs, had our breakfast at Kempty Falls around 0930Hrs. We reached Sankri via Mussoorie – Kempty Waterfalls – Nainbagh – Purola – Mori – Naitwar – Kotgaon. Its a 270Kms drive from Haidwar to Sankri, around 1600 Hrs we reached Sankri. Hotel Swargarohini was booked for our stay. Four rooms were provided for our team. We checked into the hotel. Day ended with a warm dinner followed by our sacks packing.
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| Kempty Falls |
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| Team Let's Hike Kharagpur at Kempty Falls having breakfast |
Day 04, 06th February
Sankri (6400ft) - Juda Ka Talab (9100ft)
After having a heavy breakfast we were provided with crampons and gaiters. Around 0900 Hrs we started moving. First 500 m trail is through the village and then we enter into the Govind National Park.
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| Team Let's Hike, Kharagpur at Hotel Swargarohini Palace, Sankri |
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| Second Dhaba or Tea Stall enroute Juda Ka Talab |
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| Second Dhaba or Tea Stall enroute Juda Ka Talab |
Trail from this point is complete ascent upto Basecamp. We walk through dense Pine forest, on our left we can see the glimpses of Bandarpoonch, Ranglana, Swargarohini and Kala Nag. Few dhabas or we can say tea stalls are available enroute Juda Ka Talab. These Tea stalls are at equal intervals where you will get refreshing ginger lemon tea and yummy maggi or omelette.
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| Third Dhaba or Tea Stall enroute Juda Ka Talab |
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| Kumoli, Meadow enroute Juda Ka Talab |
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| Sourav Bhunia at Juda Ka Talab |
We reached Juda Ka Talab around 1350 Hrs. Tents were already pitched there. There are cluster of tents with their agency banners. Campsite was very beautiful, surrounded with pine trees and completely covered with snow, colorful tents are pitched in between, is a treat for photographers. Juda Ka Talab was frozen and no one was allowed to go near the lake. The stretch today was of just 4Kms but being too much of ascent it took us around 4.5 Hours. After lunch we all went into the dining tent and spent remaining day chatting and discussing fun stories of our past treks. Another family from Gujarat (husbad, wife and daughter) joined us in the dining tent. Day ended with a nice dinner.
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| Team Let's Hike Kharagpur having lunch at Juda Ka Talab |
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| Team Let's Hike Kharagpur having lunch at Juda Ka Talab |
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| Team Let's Hike Kharagpur in dining tent at Juda Ka Talab |
Day 05, 07th February
Juda Ka Talab (9100ft) - Kedarkantha Basecamp (11,250ft)
It was a 4Kms trek, the moment we crossed the lake, there is too much ascent in the trail. Trail goes under the oak trees and few meadows where we can see the Shepherd log huts. Most of today's trail was on a ridge. We started around 1000 Hrs and reached KedarKantha Basecamp around 1200 Hrs. As usual each agency pitched their tents perfectly at different places.
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| Abhishek and Antara spur above Juda Ka Talab |
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| Team Let's Hike, Kharagpur at dhaba enroute Juda Ka Talab and Kedarkantha Basecamp |
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| KedarKantha Basecamp |
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| KedarKantha Basecamp |
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| Full moon at KedarKantha Basecamp |
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| KedarKantha Basecamp |
All the agency camps were at selected places at proper distance so that one can enjoy a clear view of the night sky. By the time we had our lunch, the sky was covered with clouds and again we were facing the same situation like our last expedition to Mt. Stok Kangri. We started praying for the weather conditions to improve and the almighty heard us. By evening sky was clear and the moon was in its perfect round shape. After an early dinner we slip into our tents.
Day 06, 08th February
Kedarkantha Basecamp (11,250ft) - Kedarkantha Top (12,500ft) - Back to Sankri
We woke up around 0130 Hrs and started our preparations. Around 0300 Hrs we were all ready with our napsacks and geared with crampons and gaiters. Basecamp was lit up in full moon light, tall spruce trees around the snow covered meadow. The night sky was a welcome sight for all of us. Stars shone as diamonds split over the black marble. First kilometer trail was through dense forest. Tree line ended and we entered into beautiful snow clad meadows with glittering sky. Small tea break at a tea stall enroute and then we continued for our summit. Gradually we were moving towards the summit and slowly getting casted in crimson, bathed in a golden glow. So was the sky equally mesmerising, parts of blue and a chorus of greys and streaks of silvers and golds.
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| Team Let's Hike, Kharagpur at tea stall or dhaba enroute Kedarkantha Basecamp and Kedarkantha top |
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| Team Let's Hike Kharagpur moving towards the Kedarkantha peak |
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| Team Let's Hike Kharagpur moving towards the Kedarkantha peak |
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| Team Let's Hike Kharagpur moving towards the Kedarkantha peak |
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| Team Let's Hike Kharagpur moving towards the Kedarkantha peak |
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Sunrise view from Kedarkantha top |
At 0720Hrs our complete team reached the summit, after few clicks we paid homage to the almighty and started descending immediately. Chilly wind resisted us from clicking too many photographs on the top. There is a Shiva temple and a properly built Ganesha Temple just few feets below the summit top. We descended sliding on the snow. But while sliding down we saw a boy from another team twisted his legs and was unable to walk. They were not even having a first aid kit with them. I was having a first aid kit in my napsack, we gave him a little first aid tied him a bandage. Their guide and support team tied his legs and dragged him to the basecamp. After that nobody dared to slide any more. Slowly we walked towards the Basecamp clicking pictures. We reached Basecamp around 1000 Hrs. After lunch we left Basecamp around 1200Hrs and started descending. Taking small breaks at the tea stalls we continued to walk and reached Sankri around 1630 Hrs.
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| Team Let's Hike Kharagpur on the Kedarkantha Peak |
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| View from Hotel Swargarohini Palace |
In evening they honored us with certificates and then we went on a eating spree and tried all the eateries on the roadside. Day ended with delicious chicken, which we specially ordered from a nearby hotel. Today our trek was comprised of 2Km trek to the summit and then 10Km trek return to Sankri. Early morning 0300Hrs we started walking and day ended around 1630Hrs, we walked almost around 13.5 Hours.
Day 07, 09th February
Sankri - Haridwar
After an early breakfast we loaded all our sacks on the same bus by which we came here. We took a small break at Netwar and then at Kempty Falls. We reached Haridwar around 1900 Hrs. Had our dinner at very famous Dada-Boudi Hotel". After dinner we all went to the bus stand. Avik and Mou tickets were confirmed on train so left us and boarded the train. Our bus to Delhi came at 2300Hrs.
Day 08, 10th February
Delhi - Kolkata - KGP
Early hours of 10th February around 0530Hrs we reached New Delhi ISBT. Gajendra, Antara and Abhishek left us and we waited few more hours at ISBT. We boarded flight at 1100 Hrs and reached Kolkata around 1400 Hrs. A cab was already booked for our journey upto KGP.
Another trek ended with lots of memories to remember and pictures to cherish. This time our Team Let's Hike Kharagpur complete team successfully summited KedarKantha Top (12,500ft).
Team Let's Hike Kharagpur (From Left to Right) : Abhishek Mallareddy, Avik Pal, Jayanta Adhikary, Mou Pal, Sourav Bhunia, Antara Chowdhury, Tapas Das, Anup Sekhar, Jaydhar Chowdhary, Gajendra Muddeli
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