Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Our guides are certified and have been trekking the Himalayas for decades(all are local guides). They are well equipped and well versed with the terrain, the route, the people, the Himalayan wildlife and its culture. We were featured in the National Geographic Traveler magazine for the 3 passes expedition(i.e. Patangini – Auden’s Col – Mayali pass) of June 2017.

The guides and porters are adequately trained and skilled in handling emergencies. You will get immediate first aid and all necessary help if required. In case of a medical emergency, the porters & guides will carry you to a lower altitude and will contact the rescue authority by satellite phone.

The packing list for Auden’s Col trek are as follows:

Clothing

  1. Trekking pants and jackets.
  2. Rainproof pants and jackets.
  3. Thermals underwear.
  4. A pair of gloves.
  5. Short-sleeved trekking shirts.
  6. Long-sleeved trekking shirts.
  7. Woolen cap/ beanies.
  8. Insulating jackets.
  9. fleece-lined jacket.
  10. Lightweight Sweaters. 
  11. Trekking boots.
  12. First Aid.
  13. Sanitary pads/ Tampons.
  14. Toiletries.
  15. Sunscreen.
  16. Hand sanitizer.
  17. Water Bottle.
  18. Sunglasses.
  19. Chargers.
  20. Headlamp

Important Documents

  • Photo-ID( Passport/Driving License/Voter ID/Aadhar).
  • Fitness certificate.
  • Trekking Permit

Many people assume that they need to have athletic strength to complete a trek like Auden’s Col, which is not completely true. The athletic strength is needed but mental strength matters equally. Anyone with average physical strength and strong mental strength can negotiate the long stretches of Auden’s Col/Khatling glacier and complete the Auden’s Col trek. 

To boost the physical strength, cardio (aerobic) exercises, including hiking, cycling, swimming, can help you gain fitness before the start of your trek. One important thing to consider is that the treks are not a race, so you need to maintain a gentle pace with sufficient breaks and acclimatization.

The best time for trekking Auden’s Col trek is from May(from 4th week) to September(barring monsoon period). During the spring season(in May & June month), wildflowers, including pink rhododendrons, Bhrama Kamal bloom in Gangotri valley in Uttarakhand. The clear skies and stable weather is the major attraction of the trek.

The autumn month of September is famous for its soothing climate and favorable temperatures. The Autumn month is good for the night or dawn/dusk photography. The monsoon and the winters are generally avoided because of the risks and the challenges posed by the Gangotri group of mountains.

During the trek, numerous mountain streams originating from Gangotri glaciers(like Kedar Ganga, Bhilangana, and Vasuki Ganga etc.)  are the main source of drinking water and water for cooking. Mountain stream water & snowmelt water is perfectly safe to drink though the problem of silt mixed water may arise during the rainy days. We filter water through a sedimentation process. We also recommend trekkers to carry a water bottle fitted with a filter. You can get filter-fitted bottles easily in the market.

While trekking it is extremely important to stay hydrated. During the trekking on sunny days, you will be thirsty more often. You can add hydration salts or glucose to the drinking water that keeps you healthy while improving the taste of the water. 

The trekking hours are not fixed. The prevailing weather conditions, terrain and walking pace will determine the daily trekking hours. In general, we plan the trek for five to six hours of daily walking on average. In a group trekking expedition, it is essential for us to gauge every individual’s stamina level and plan our journey ahead accordingly.  Starting the trek early is key to avoiding the midday heat and arriving at your destination early. This leaves with enough time to rest, acclimatize, and explore the Gangotri Nationa Park region.

There will be toilet tents. Our crew will dig a hole in the ground then erect a toilet tent around it for privacy. We brief our guides to locate the toilet tent away from water sources and on departure the next morning the hole will be filled and covered with earth. We recommend you always keep a roll of toilet paper & a hand sanitizer in your day pack.

The rule of thumb is to use several thin layers rather than just one or two thick layers. This allows you to peel layers off or put them on depending on the weather and the time of day. For your base-layer choose a fabric that soaks moisture away from your skin and dries quickly. Your outer layer should be fully wind and rainproof. We recommend you carry good quality thermals, woolen socks & a waterproof jacket. A windproof outer layer is essential to combat wind-chill(essential for altitudes like Auden’s and Mayali). Choose a thermal base-layer and fabrics that wick sweat away from your skin to avoid getting wet and cold. You need to protect your hands and feet with high-quality thermal gloves and socks, also a hat to protect your head and a balaclava to protect your face. 

If you have no prior experience of walking long stretches on glaciers, you should bring crampons. Crampons fitted trekking boots help you get past the snow with ease. Many people prefer walking on the glaciers without crampons. Auden’s Col trek route has a long glacier stretch that is riddled with crevasses and moraines. We recommend crampons for such terrain.

You need good quality Gore-Tex boots with decent grip and secure ankle support. Your boots must be fully waterproof and at higher altitudes(like Auden’s Col basecamp & Khatling glacier snowfields) we recommend boots with trekking gaiters for crossing Auden’s Col snowfields.

This is very much personal preference. Some people swear by them, especially on treks with long and steep ascents and descents(like the ascent to Patangini Dhar, descent from Auden’s Col and Mayali pass), others find they get in the way and prefer to manage without. If you have weak hips, knees or ankles they are an effective way to reduce the strain.

There’s no other way to prepare for altitude than to acclimatize slowly. Our trek itineraries have been carefully planned to allow for gradual acclimatization (at Bhoj Kharak and Kedar Kharak). Altitude sickness can affect the fittest trekkers just as easily as the less fit. Once on the trek, the main recommendation is to keep your fluid intake up and stay hydrated. We don’t recommend Diamox(acetazolamide). Diamox actually tricks your body into breathing faster (by changing the Ph of your blood slightly) so it actually prevents the symptoms. The best cure for high altitude sickness is acclimatization.

During the trek, your luggage is carried & transported by porter & mules so all you need to carry is what you need during the day, for example water bottle, camera, extra clothing, sun-cream, and a small personal first aid kit. We recommend a 15 to 25-liter day pack for Auden’s Col trek

The best way to train for the Auden’s Col trek is to spend plenty of time beforehand simply walking & jogging. Aerobic training at the gym helps too, but there’s no substitute for simply walking & trotting for several hours at a stretch. It’s also a good opportunity to check out all your trekking equipment, clothing, and footwear – to make sure it’s all comfortable and works OK.

It really isn’t a problem. You can walk at your own pace nearly all the time, as we have enough guides to escort walkers of all speeds. Occasionally for safety reasons the trek leader might pull the group together (eg. in bad weather or on a tricky section of the trek route like ascending and descending Auden’s Col, Crossing crevasses over Khatling glacier, Crossing the makeshift bridge over Bhilangana river,  and climbing up to the Mayali pas. In general, the group can string out and everyone finds their own comfortable walking pace.

Assessing your personal fitness is quite subjective. Your fitness level is often pitted against the level of difficulty of a trek route that includes various factors like the number of hours of walking each day, the total number of days, how long and how difficult is the ascent of descent stretch, terrain, altitude, and likely weather conditions. Auden’s Col conflated with Mayali pass is a 12/13-day trek riddled with long glacier stretches, crevasses, rock falling zones, and moraines.  To match the difficulty level of Auden’s Col trek you need to have previous high altitude trekking experience. One cannot climb a pass or peak without being physically and mentally fit.

The route traverses through the valley of Rudugaira to Auden’s Col and ends at the village of Ghuttu, and for the 3-pass expedition, It’ll be conflated with the Mayali Pass to go all the way to Kedarnath. It is also possible to cross only Auden’s Col by starting the trek at Gangotri and exiting at Guttu(i.e. Mayali pass would be skipped). Another trail in the valley between the valleys of Gangotri and Rudugaira will lead us to Kedar Tal. Kedar Tal offers magnificent views of the Thalay Sagar and Bhrigupanth peaks. In the first part, the route would take us to Kedar Tal, and then we cross over from Kedar Ganga (Kedar Ganga is a tributary of the Bhagirathi River) to Rudugaira Valley through a pass called Patangini Dhar. In the second part, we will cross Auden’s Col and trek over Khatling glacier to the origin of the Bhilangna river. In the last part, we will switch over to the Mayali Pass trail to reach Kedarnath.

Bhoj Kharak, Kedar Kharak, and trail to Kedar Tal. The trail is steep uphill including numerous switchbacks through the birch forest. The birch trees are referred to as Bhoj trees in the local dialect and so the first campsite inside the Bhoj forest is named Bhoj Kharak.

Gangotri has many small hotels and lodges. You can stay at Harsil also. Harsil is an hour’s drive from Gangotri.

Any trek is doable without a guide:

  • If you know the route(or you know how to read maps and use GPS) 
  • You have complete climbing and camping gear.
  • You have extensive experience of trekking in the Himalayas. 

Even if you meet the above conditions there are still certain caveats that make a trek like Auden’s Col treacherously dicey.

c Expand All C Collapse All

Our guides are certified and have been trekking the Himalayas for decades(all are local guides). They are well equipped and well versed with the terrain, the route, the people, the Himalayan wildlife and its culture. We were featured in the National Geographic Traveler magazine for the 3 passes expedition(i.e. Patangini – Auden’s Col – Mayali pass) of June 2017.

The guides and porters are adequately trained and skilled in handling emergencies. You will get immediate first aid and all necessary help if required. In case of a medical emergency, the porters & guides will carry you to a lower altitude and will contact the rescue authority by satellite phone.

The packing list for Auden’s Col trek are as follows:

Clothing

  1. Trekking pants and jackets.
  2. Rainproof pants and jackets.
  3. Thermals underwear.
  4. A pair of gloves.
  5. Short-sleeved trekking shirts.
  6. Long-sleeved trekking shirts.
  7. Woolen cap/ beanies.
  8. Insulating jackets.
  9. fleece-lined jacket.
  10. Lightweight Sweaters. 
  11. Trekking boots.
  12. First Aid.
  13. Sanitary pads/ Tampons.
  14. Toiletries.
  15. Sunscreen.
  16. Hand sanitizer.
  17. Water Bottle.
  18. Sunglasses.
  19. Chargers.
  20. Headlamp

Important Documents

  • Photo-ID( Passport/Driving License/Voter ID/Aadhar).
  • Fitness certificate.
  • Trekking Permit

Many people assume that they need to have athletic strength to complete a trek like Auden’s Col, which is not completely true. The athletic strength is needed but mental strength matters equally. Anyone with average physical strength and strong mental strength can negotiate the long stretches of Auden’s Col/Khatling glacier and complete the Auden’s Col trek. 

To boost the physical strength, cardio (aerobic) exercises, including hiking, cycling, swimming, can help you gain fitness before the start of your trek. One important thing to consider is that the treks are not a race, so you need to maintain a gentle pace with sufficient breaks and acclimatization.

The best time for trekking Auden’s Col trek is from May(from 4th week) to September(barring monsoon period). During the spring season(in May & June month), wildflowers, including pink rhododendrons, Bhrama Kamal bloom in Gangotri valley in Uttarakhand. The clear skies and stable weather is the major attraction of the trek.

The autumn month of September is famous for its soothing climate and favorable temperatures. The Autumn month is good for the night or dawn/dusk photography. The monsoon and the winters are generally avoided because of the risks and the challenges posed by the Gangotri group of mountains.

During the trek, numerous mountain streams originating from Gangotri glaciers(like Kedar Ganga, Bhilangana, and Vasuki Ganga etc.)  are the main source of drinking water and water for cooking. Mountain stream water & snowmelt water is perfectly safe to drink though the problem of silt mixed water may arise during the rainy days. We filter water through a sedimentation process. We also recommend trekkers to carry a water bottle fitted with a filter. You can get filter-fitted bottles easily in the market.

While trekking it is extremely important to stay hydrated. During the trekking on sunny days, you will be thirsty more often. You can add hydration salts or glucose to the drinking water that keeps you healthy while improving the taste of the water. 

The trekking hours are not fixed. The prevailing weather conditions, terrain and walking pace will determine the daily trekking hours. In general, we plan the trek for five to six hours of daily walking on average. In a group trekking expedition, it is essential for us to gauge every individual’s stamina level and plan our journey ahead accordingly.  Starting the trek early is key to avoiding the midday heat and arriving at your destination early. This leaves with enough time to rest, acclimatize, and explore the Gangotri Nationa Park region.

There will be toilet tents. Our crew will dig a hole in the ground then erect a toilet tent around it for privacy. We brief our guides to locate the toilet tent away from water sources and on departure the next morning the hole will be filled and covered with earth. We recommend you always keep a roll of toilet paper & a hand sanitizer in your day pack.

The rule of thumb is to use several thin layers rather than just one or two thick layers. This allows you to peel layers off or put them on depending on the weather and the time of day. For your base-layer choose a fabric that soaks moisture away from your skin and dries quickly. Your outer layer should be fully wind and rainproof. We recommend you carry good quality thermals, woolen socks & a waterproof jacket. A windproof outer layer is essential to combat wind-chill(essential for altitudes like Auden’s and Mayali). Choose a thermal base-layer and fabrics that wick sweat away from your skin to avoid getting wet and cold. You need to protect your hands and feet with high-quality thermal gloves and socks, also a hat to protect your head and a balaclava to protect your face. 

If you have no prior experience of walking long stretches on glaciers, you should bring crampons. Crampons fitted trekking boots help you get past the snow with ease. Many people prefer walking on the glaciers without crampons. Auden’s Col trek route has a long glacier stretch that is riddled with crevasses and moraines. We recommend crampons for such terrain.

You need good quality Gore-Tex boots with decent grip and secure ankle support. Your boots must be fully waterproof and at higher altitudes(like Auden’s Col basecamp & Khatling glacier snowfields) we recommend boots with trekking gaiters for crossing Auden’s Col snowfields.

This is very much personal preference. Some people swear by them, especially on treks with long and steep ascents and descents(like the ascent to Patangini Dhar, descent from Auden’s Col and Mayali pass), others find they get in the way and prefer to manage without. If you have weak hips, knees or ankles they are an effective way to reduce the strain.

There’s no other way to prepare for altitude than to acclimatize slowly. Our trek itineraries have been carefully planned to allow for gradual acclimatization (at Bhoj Kharak and Kedar Kharak). Altitude sickness can affect the fittest trekkers just as easily as the less fit. Once on the trek, the main recommendation is to keep your fluid intake up and stay hydrated. We don’t recommend Diamox(acetazolamide). Diamox actually tricks your body into breathing faster (by changing the Ph of your blood slightly) so it actually prevents the symptoms. The best cure for high altitude sickness is acclimatization.

During the trek, your luggage is carried & transported by porter & mules so all you need to carry is what you need during the day, for example water bottle, camera, extra clothing, sun-cream, and a small personal first aid kit. We recommend a 15 to 25-liter day pack for Auden’s Col trek

The best way to train for the Auden’s Col trek is to spend plenty of time beforehand simply walking & jogging. Aerobic training at the gym helps too, but there’s no substitute for simply walking & trotting for several hours at a stretch. It’s also a good opportunity to check out all your trekking equipment, clothing, and footwear – to make sure it’s all comfortable and works OK.

It really isn’t a problem. You can walk at your own pace nearly all the time, as we have enough guides to escort walkers of all speeds. Occasionally for safety reasons the trek leader might pull the group together (eg. in bad weather or on a tricky section of the trek route like ascending and descending Auden’s Col, Crossing crevasses over Khatling glacier, Crossing the makeshift bridge over Bhilangana river,  and climbing up to the Mayali pas. In general, the group can string out and everyone finds their own comfortable walking pace.

Assessing your personal fitness is quite subjective. Your fitness level is often pitted against the level of difficulty of a trek route that includes various factors like the number of hours of walking each day, the total number of days, how long and how difficult is the ascent of descent stretch, terrain, altitude, and likely weather conditions. Auden’s Col conflated with Mayali pass is a 12/13-day trek riddled with long glacier stretches, crevasses, rock falling zones, and moraines.  To match the difficulty level of Auden’s Col trek you need to have previous high altitude trekking experience. One cannot climb a pass or peak without being physically and mentally fit.

The route traverses through the valley of Rudugaira to Auden’s Col and ends at the village of Ghuttu, and for the 3-pass expedition, It’ll be conflated with the Mayali Pass to go all the way to Kedarnath. It is also possible to cross only Auden’s Col by starting the trek at Gangotri and exiting at Guttu(i.e. Mayali pass would be skipped). Another trail in the valley between the valleys of Gangotri and Rudugaira will lead us to Kedar Tal. Kedar Tal offers magnificent views of the Thalay Sagar and Bhrigupanth peaks. In the first part, the route would take us to Kedar Tal, and then we cross over from Kedar Ganga (Kedar Ganga is a tributary of the Bhagirathi River) to Rudugaira Valley through a pass called Patangini Dhar. In the second part, we will cross Auden’s Col and trek over Khatling glacier to the origin of the Bhilangna river. In the last part, we will switch over to the Mayali Pass trail to reach Kedarnath.

Bhoj Kharak, Kedar Kharak, and trail to Kedar Tal. The trail is steep uphill including numerous switchbacks through the birch forest. The birch trees are referred to as Bhoj trees in the local dialect and so the first campsite inside the Bhoj forest is named Bhoj Kharak.

Gangotri has many small hotels and lodges. You can stay at Harsil also. Harsil is an hour’s drive from Gangotri.

Any trek is doable without a guide:

  • If you know the route(or you know how to read maps and use GPS) 
  • You have complete climbing and camping gear.
  • You have extensive experience of trekking in the Himalayas. 

Even if you meet the above conditions there are still certain caveats that make a trek like Auden’s Col treacherously dicey.

c Expand All C Collapse All

Our guides are certified and have been trekking the Himalayas for decades(all are local guides). They are well equipped and well versed with the terrain, the route, the people, the Himalayan wildlife and its culture. We were featured in the National Geographic Traveler magazine for the 3 passes expedition(i.e. Patangini – Auden’s Col – Mayali pass) of June 2017.

The guides and porters are adequately trained and skilled in handling emergencies. You will get immediate first aid and all necessary help if required. In case of a medical emergency, the porters & guides will carry you to a lower altitude and will contact the rescue authority by satellite phone.

The packing list for Auden’s Col trek are as follows:

Clothing

  1. Trekking pants and jackets.
  2. Rainproof pants and jackets.
  3. Thermals underwear.
  4. A pair of gloves.
  5. Short-sleeved trekking shirts.
  6. Long-sleeved trekking shirts.
  7. Woolen cap/ beanies.
  8. Insulating jackets.
  9. fleece-lined jacket.
  10. Lightweight Sweaters. 
  11. Trekking boots.
  12. First Aid.
  13. Sanitary pads/ Tampons.
  14. Toiletries.
  15. Sunscreen.
  16. Hand sanitizer.
  17. Water Bottle.
  18. Sunglasses.
  19. Chargers.
  20. Headlamp

Important Documents

  • Photo-ID( Passport/Driving License/Voter ID/Aadhar).
  • Fitness certificate.
  • Trekking Permit

Many people assume that they need to have athletic strength to complete a trek like Auden’s Col, which is not completely true. The athletic strength is needed but mental strength matters equally. Anyone with average physical strength and strong mental strength can negotiate the long stretches of Auden’s Col/Khatling glacier and complete the Auden’s Col trek. 

To boost the physical strength, cardio (aerobic) exercises, including hiking, cycling, swimming, can help you gain fitness before the start of your trek. One important thing to consider is that the treks are not a race, so you need to maintain a gentle pace with sufficient breaks and acclimatization.

The best time for trekking Auden’s Col trek is from May(from 4th week) to September(barring monsoon period). During the spring season(in May & June month), wildflowers, including pink rhododendrons, Bhrama Kamal bloom in Gangotri valley in Uttarakhand. The clear skies and stable weather is the major attraction of the trek.

The autumn month of September is famous for its soothing climate and favorable temperatures. The Autumn month is good for the night or dawn/dusk photography. The monsoon and the winters are generally avoided because of the risks and the challenges posed by the Gangotri group of mountains.

During the trek, numerous mountain streams originating from Gangotri glaciers(like Kedar Ganga, Bhilangana, and Vasuki Ganga etc.)  are the main source of drinking water and water for cooking. Mountain stream water & snowmelt water is perfectly safe to drink though the problem of silt mixed water may arise during the rainy days. We filter water through a sedimentation process. We also recommend trekkers to carry a water bottle fitted with a filter. You can get filter-fitted bottles easily in the market.

While trekking it is extremely important to stay hydrated. During the trekking on sunny days, you will be thirsty more often. You can add hydration salts or glucose to the drinking water that keeps you healthy while improving the taste of the water. 

The trekking hours are not fixed. The prevailing weather conditions, terrain and walking pace will determine the daily trekking hours. In general, we plan the trek for five to six hours of daily walking on average. In a group trekking expedition, it is essential for us to gauge every individual’s stamina level and plan our journey ahead accordingly.  Starting the trek early is key to avoiding the midday heat and arriving at your destination early. This leaves with enough time to rest, acclimatize, and explore the Gangotri Nationa Park region.

There will be toilet tents. Our crew will dig a hole in the ground then erect a toilet tent around it for privacy. We brief our guides to locate the toilet tent away from water sources and on departure the next morning the hole will be filled and covered with earth. We recommend you always keep a roll of toilet paper & a hand sanitizer in your day pack.

The rule of thumb is to use several thin layers rather than just one or two thick layers. This allows you to peel layers off or put them on depending on the weather and the time of day. For your base-layer choose a fabric that soaks moisture away from your skin and dries quickly. Your outer layer should be fully wind and rainproof. We recommend you carry good quality thermals, woolen socks & a waterproof jacket. A windproof outer layer is essential to combat wind-chill(essential for altitudes like Auden’s and Mayali). Choose a thermal base-layer and fabrics that wick sweat away from your skin to avoid getting wet and cold. You need to protect your hands and feet with high-quality thermal gloves and socks, also a hat to protect your head and a balaclava to protect your face. 

If you have no prior experience of walking long stretches on glaciers, you should bring crampons. Crampons fitted trekking boots help you get past the snow with ease. Many people prefer walking on the glaciers without crampons. Auden’s Col trek route has a long glacier stretch that is riddled with crevasses and moraines. We recommend crampons for such terrain.

You need good quality Gore-Tex boots with decent grip and secure ankle support. Your boots must be fully waterproof and at higher altitudes(like Auden’s Col basecamp & Khatling glacier snowfields) we recommend boots with trekking gaiters for crossing Auden’s Col snowfields.

This is very much personal preference. Some people swear by them, especially on treks with long and steep ascents and descents(like the ascent to Patangini Dhar, descent from Auden’s Col and Mayali pass), others find they get in the way and prefer to manage without. If you have weak hips, knees or ankles they are an effective way to reduce the strain.

There’s no other way to prepare for altitude than to acclimatize slowly. Our trek itineraries have been carefully planned to allow for gradual acclimatization (at Bhoj Kharak and Kedar Kharak). Altitude sickness can affect the fittest trekkers just as easily as the less fit. Once on the trek, the main recommendation is to keep your fluid intake up and stay hydrated. We don’t recommend Diamox(acetazolamide). Diamox actually tricks your body into breathing faster (by changing the Ph of your blood slightly) so it actually prevents the symptoms. The best cure for high altitude sickness is acclimatization.

During the trek, your luggage is carried & transported by porter & mules so all you need to carry is what you need during the day, for example water bottle, camera, extra clothing, sun-cream, and a small personal first aid kit. We recommend a 15 to 25-liter day pack for Auden’s Col trek

The best way to train for the Auden’s Col trek is to spend plenty of time beforehand simply walking & jogging. Aerobic training at the gym helps too, but there’s no substitute for simply walking & trotting for several hours at a stretch. It’s also a good opportunity to check out all your trekking equipment, clothing, and footwear – to make sure it’s all comfortable and works OK.

It really isn’t a problem. You can walk at your own pace nearly all the time, as we have enough guides to escort walkers of all speeds. Occasionally for safety reasons the trek leader might pull the group together (eg. in bad weather or on a tricky section of the trek route like ascending and descending Auden’s Col, Crossing crevasses over Khatling glacier, Crossing the makeshift bridge over Bhilangana river,  and climbing up to the Mayali pas. In general, the group can string out and everyone finds their own comfortable walking pace.

Assessing your personal fitness is quite subjective. Your fitness level is often pitted against the level of difficulty of a trek route that includes various factors like the number of hours of walking each day, the total number of days, how long and how difficult is the ascent of descent stretch, terrain, altitude, and likely weather conditions. Auden’s Col conflated with Mayali pass is a 12/13-day trek riddled with long glacier stretches, crevasses, rock falling zones, and moraines.  To match the difficulty level of Auden’s Col trek you need to have previous high altitude trekking experience. One cannot climb a pass or peak without being physically and mentally fit.

The route traverses through the valley of Rudugaira to Auden’s Col and ends at the village of Ghuttu, and for the 3-pass expedition, It’ll be conflated with the Mayali Pass to go all the way to Kedarnath. It is also possible to cross only Auden’s Col by starting the trek at Gangotri and exiting at Guttu(i.e. Mayali pass would be skipped). Another trail in the valley between the valleys of Gangotri and Rudugaira will lead us to Kedar Tal. Kedar Tal offers magnificent views of the Thalay Sagar and Bhrigupanth peaks. In the first part, the route would take us to Kedar Tal, and then we cross over from Kedar Ganga (Kedar Ganga is a tributary of the Bhagirathi River) to Rudugaira Valley through a pass called Patangini Dhar. In the second part, we will cross Auden’s Col and trek over Khatling glacier to the origin of the Bhilangna river. In the last part, we will switch over to the Mayali Pass trail to reach Kedarnath.

Bhoj Kharak, Kedar Kharak, and trail to Kedar Tal. The trail is steep uphill including numerous switchbacks through the birch forest. The birch trees are referred to as Bhoj trees in the local dialect and so the first campsite inside the Bhoj forest is named Bhoj Kharak.

Gangotri has many small hotels and lodges. You can stay at Harsil also. Harsil is an hour’s drive from Gangotri.

Any trek is doable without a guide:

  • If you know the route(or you know how to read maps and use GPS) 
  • You have complete climbing and camping gear.
  • You have extensive experience of trekking in the Himalayas. 

Even if you meet the above conditions there are still certain caveats that make a trek like Auden’s Col treacherously dicey.

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