Main Info
Auden’s Col might not be as popular but is prominent in Indian Literature and Mountaineering. It has an elevation of 5242m which separates Jogin I and Gangotri III peaks. It also connects Rudragaira and Bhilangna valley. Not only that, the Col lies between huge glacier namely Khatling and Jogin I. The Pass was discovered by John Bicknell Auden, a geologist and explorer. He was the first to cross the pass from Rudragiara side and descended to Kedarnath in 1939. Hence, the pass got its name. With such abundance around it, one gets to witness the thrill of going on a Mountaineering expedition. It also has a importance in Mountaineering world.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Dehradun to Gangotri
• Altitude: 3,100m/10,200ft (Gangotri).
• Pick up time 06.00 am at the parking of Dehradun railway station.
• Drive 240 km, 8-9 hours from Dehradun.
• Breakfast and lunch on the way (not included in the cost)
• After Uttarkashi keep a warm jacket handy.
• Local Market and network is available.
• Full functioning AMT at Uttarkashi.
• Gangotri is one of Char Dhams of Uttarakhand.
• Dinner at guest house (included in the cost)
• Stay in Guest House (double or triple sharing).
Day 2: Rest and acclimatisation at Gangotri
• After breakfast visit Pandav gufa, Gauri and Surya kund.
• Post lunch can visit Gangotri temple or go for shopping.
• Lunch at guest house.
• Stay in Guest House.
Day 3: Gangotri to Nala Camp
• Altitude: 3,750m/12,300ft (Nala Camp).
• Altitude gain: 650m/2,100ft.
• Trek: 8km, 6-7 hours.
• Moderate walk with steep ascent.
• Walk along with the river.
• Initial trail is with Bhagirathi River and with Rudugaira River.
• After 2hours of trek cross the river over a log bridge.
• Walk in the forest of Pine, Cedar, Rhododendrons and Birch trees.
• Cross Bhoj Kharak camp (camp for Rudugaira peak).
• Can see Gangotri III and Jogin II just before the campsite.
• Packed lunch on the way.
• Stay in tent (Twin sharing)
Day 4: Nala Camp to Rudugaira Camp
• Altitude: 4,350m/14,300ft (Rudugaira Camp)
• Altitude gain: 600m/2,000ft.
• Trek: 7km, 7-8 hours.
• Steep and strenuous climb all the way.
• Views of Rudragaira peak, Jogin peak and Auden Col pass.
• Cross a stream and landslide area.
• Less water sources on the way.
• Packed lunch for the day.
• Stay in tent.
Day 5: Rest and Acclimatization
• An acclimatization day at this height is mandatory.
• Explore and enjoy campsite surrounded by peaks.
• Can climbed a ridge towards Rudragaira peak.
• Hot lunch at campsite.
• Stay in tent
Day 6: Rudugaira Base Camp to Auden’s Col Base Camp via Gangotri Base Camp
• Altitude: 4,750m/15,600ft (Auden’s Col BC.)
• Altitude gain: 400m/1,300ft.
• Trek: 8km, 6-7 hours.
• Gradual and tricky ascent on moraine.
• Carry enough water from the campsite.
• Beautiful views of Gangotri peaks.
• Pass Sukha Tal on the way.
• Can see the gully leading to Auden’s Col.
• Packed lunch on the way.
• Stay in tent.
Day 7: Auden’s Col Base Camp to Khatling Glacier Camp via Auden’s Col
• Altitude: 5,490m/18,000ft (Auden’s Col), 5000m/16,400ft (Khatling Glacier).
• Altitude gain: 750m/2,500ft
• Trek: 12km, 9-11 hours.
• Camp to Auden’s Col 5km, 4-5 hours.
• Auden’s Col to Khatling Glacier 7km, 5-6 hours.
• Start early in the morning.
• Difficult walk, steep ascent till the Col after that steep descent.
• Descent is more tricky and difficult the ascent.
• Toughest climb of the trek.
• Khatling Glacier is famous for deep crevasses.
• Always roped up and walk with trek leader/guide to avoid slip and fall.
• Carry sufficient water from campsite.
• Packed lunch for the day.
• Stay in tent.
Day 8: Khatling Glacier Camp to Zero Point/Waterfall Camp
• Altitude: 3,900m/12,800ft (Zero Point).
• Altitude loss: 1,100m/ 3,600ft.
• Trek: 11km, 9-10 hours.
• 8 km trek is on glacier.
• First half of trail is mixed of loose grave, scree, black ice.
• Rest of the trail is of moraine.
• Camp by the Bhilangna river.
• Bhilangna river ends at Tehri dam.
• Packed lunch for the day.
• Stay in tent.
Day 9: Rest Day
• Mandatory Rest day.
• Rejuvenate yourself.
• This day also can be used as a buffer day.
Day 10: Waterfall Camp/ Zero Point to Chowki
• Altitude: 3,500m/11,500ft (Chowki)
• Altitude Loss: 400m/1,300ft.
• Trek: 8km, 5-6 hours
• Comparatively easy day.
• Will see greenery again.
• Most of the trek is on Meadow.
• Fallow Bhilangna river for first 3km.
• Campsite is on grass land.
• One of the best campsite of the trek.
• Packed/hot lunch, depends on the pace of the group.
• Stay in tent.
Day 11: Chowki to Masar Tal
• Altitude: 3,750m/12,300ft (Masar Tal)
• Altitude gain: 250m/800ft.
• Trek: 8km, 5-6 hours.
• Easy day.
• Initially steep ascent then gradual walk.
• Trail is well defined.
• Can see the beautiful views of Thalay Sagar peak.
• Camping near by the Masar Tal (lake).
• Stay in tent.
Day 12: Masar Tal to Vasuki Tal via Mayali Pass
• Altitude: 5,000m/16,400ft (Mayali Pass)
• Altitude: 4,200m/13,800ft (Vasuki Tal)
• Altitude gain: 1,250m/4,100ft.
• Trek: 12km, 7-9 hours.
• Steep ascent till Mayali Pass.
• Steep and technical descent after Mayali Pass.
• Trail is of boulders and snow.
• No water source on the way
• Camping near by the Vasuki tal (Lake).
• Packed lunch on the way.
• Stay in tent.
Day 13: Vasuki Tal to Kedarnath
• Altitude: 3,550m/11,600ft (Kedarnath)
• Altitude loss: 1,450m/4,800ft.
• Trek: 7km, 3-5 hours.
• All descent till Kedarnath Temple.
• Easy and marked trail.
• Kedarnath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Visit Kedarnath temple in the evening.
• Hot lunch at guest house.
• Stay in guest house.
Day 14: Kedarnath to Gaurikund
• Altitude: 1,950m/6400ft (Gaurikund)
• Altitude loss: 1,450m/4,800ft.
• Trek: 14km, 5-6 hours.
• All descent till Gaurikund.
• Easy and marked trail.
• Many shops and water point on the way.
• Can go by helicopter (not included in cost).
• Hot lunch at guest house.
• Stay in guest house.
Day 15: Gaurikund to Dehradun
• 250km, 8-10hours drive.
• You will be dropped at Dehradun station in a Tata Sumo or a similar vehicle.
• Drop to Dehradun is included in the cost.
• Breakfast and lunch on the way (not included in the cost).
• Driving time to Dehradun may increase due to of heavy traffic. Make your further travel plane from Dehradun after 8:00 pm.
Note:
• Distance, Altitude and Trekking hours are approximate and round off. Distance, Altitude and Trekking hours are approximate and round off.
• Keep original and copy of ID proof handy.
Who can participate?
• First timer can apply, previous trekking experience is more appreciated.
• The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 7 km of distance in 35 minutes without a stress.
• The climber should be able to carry a 10-15 kg backpack.
• Heart problem, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this mission. The climber must not have the conditions mentioned above
