Kedarkantha: My First Winter Summit
Some treks happen by chance. Kedarkantha happened because I needed to prove something to myself—that I could do hard things, that I was stronger than my doubts.
Day 1: Sankri to Juda Ka Talab
The trek began in Sankri village, a tiny hamlet at 6,400 feet that smells of pine and cow dung smoke. Our group was small—just five of us and a guide named Bharat Bhai who moved through snow like it was nothing.
The 4-kilometer trail to Juda Ka Talab wound through dense pine forests. Everything was covered in fresh snow, and the silence was so thick it felt like walking through a dream. When we reached the frozen lake, surrounded by snow-laden trees, I nearly cried. It was that beautiful.
We camped beside the lake that night. Temperature: -5°C. Inside my sleeping bag, wearing every layer I owned, I stared at stars so bright they seemed fake.
Day 2: Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base Camp
This was the hard day. The 4-kilometer climb to base camp involved steep ascents, deep snow, and moments where I questioned my life choices. My legs burned. My lungs burned. Everything burned.
But when we reached base camp at 11,250 feet, the view erased every painful step. The Himalayas spread out in every direction—Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Black Peak—all glowing in afternoon light.
Bharat Bhai said, "Tomorrow, 3 AM start. Summit push."
I couldn't sleep that night. Partly from excitement, partly from fear, mostly from the cold.
Day 3: Summit Day
3 AM. Headlamps on. The group started climbing in single file, punching through snow that reached our thighs. The stars were still out, and our breath created clouds of frost.
The final kilometer was brutal. Every step forward felt like pushing against an invisible wall. My body wanted to quit, but something deeper—stubbornness? pride? wonder?—kept me moving.
And then, at 6:30 AM, we reached the summit: 12,500 feet.
The sunrise was... I don't have words. The entire Himalayan range caught fire—golden, then pink, then blazing orange. I stood there, crying and laughing at the same time, feeling more alive than ever before.
The Descent
Coming down was easier physically but harder emotionally. I didn't want to leave. That summit, that moment of pure achievement—I wanted to bottle it and carry it forever.
Practical Information
Trek Details:
- Duration: 4-5 days
- Distance: 20 km total
- Max altitude: 12,500 feet
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Best Time:
- December-April: Winter trek, snow guaranteed
- April-May: Spring, snow melting, wildflowers
Starting Point:
- Dehradun → Sankri (200 km, 8-10 hours)
- Book transport in advance
What to Carry:
- Trekking shoes (waterproof, high ankle)
- Down jacket (-10°C rated)
- Thermal layers (top + bottom)
- Woolen socks (3-4 pairs)
- Gloves, cap, balaclava
- Trekking poles (essential in snow)
- Sunglasses (snow blindness is real)
- Headlamp with extra batteries
Cost:
- Trek package: ₹7,000-10,000 (guide, food, camping equipment)
- Transport: ₹1,500-2,500 (Dehradun-Sankri-Dehradun)
My Gear
- Backpack: Decathlon Forclaz 60L
- Shoes: Wildcraft Hypagrip
- Jacket: Columbia Omni-Heat
- Camera: iPhone 13 Pro (cold killed my DSLR)
What Kedarkantha Taught Me
Mountains don't care about your excuses. They don't care if you're tired or scared or unprepared. They simply are, massive and indifferent.
And in that indifference, you find clarity. Every step forward is a choice. Every breath is earned. And when you reach the top, you realize: you're capable of so much more than you believed.
Kedarkantha wasn't just my first winter summit. It was the first time I truly understood the phrase "the mountains are calling."
And I've been answering ever since.
Har Har Mahadev. 🙏
