[suavesouvik]

Once upon a time in the mystical mountains of the Himalayas, a motley crew of 22 trekkers embarked on a 6-day journey of epic proportions. With representatives from every corner of India and even a couple of NRIs thrown into the mix, it was bound to be an adventure to remember.

It all started with a solo decision, after my school friend bailed on me. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of a wild escapade.

Day -1 (30th Dec):

Having meticulously packed my rucksack, I was ready to retire early.
Phone rings:
Friend: Souvik, we're having a party in my hostel room. Come fast.
Me: Can't come. Have to wake up early to board a train in the wee hours tomorrow.
Friend: We can party all night, so there's no need to 'wake' up tomorrow.
Me: (foolishness prevails as usual) You've got a valid point. Coming.

Day 0 (31st Dec)

So, after a night full of revelry, I boarded the famed Vande Bharat train at Bhopal to take me to the capital. Alas, I soon found myself in a foggy predicament, realising that I would miss my connecting train to Dehradun. I promptly cancelled and booked a later train, only to miss that too.

Determined to make it to Dehradun, I set off on a harrowing overnight bus ride which left me on the deserted streets of Dehradun at 4am. The absence of local transport forced me to take up a chilly 3km (pre)trek to my hotel.

Day 1 (1st Jan)

Having bid adieu to the past year in style, I met up with my fellow adventurers, and embarked on our scenic 10 hour drive to the Kotgaon base camp via Mussoorie. We bonded over a sumptuous breakfast of aloo parathas, maggi, bread omlets, dosas and coffee. Lunch, on the other hand, was quite lacklustre. However, the scenic location by the banks of the Tons river more than made up for it.




Soon, we reached Kotgaon, where our trek leader, Suvankar, promptly informed us about the IndiaHikes no dustbin and zero waste policy. This left me wondering whether the chewing gum in my mouth would have to remain there till I reached the city, 5 days later!

The rest of the day was spent in trek briefing, a basic health check and collecting rental gear. We were introduced to our trek guides Kanhaiya and Mahesh.

Day 2 (2nd Jan)

This was D-day, the start of our grand adventure. In an effort to curb our (over)enthusiasm we were advised on how NOT to put out the eyes of fellow trekkers using the trek poles.

Accompanied by a few canines and equines, we gradually ascended through dense coniferous forests, a tad disappointed at the lack of snow in peak winter. Our first stop was a quaint woodland shack serving bun omelet and bun maska prepared over a wood fire and served at quite steep prices. Imagine buying a Brezza at the price of a Kodiaq! The trail further led us through a snow patch and a precarious broken bridge over a frozen stream, to finally reach our first camp site Khujaai at an elevation of around 9,500 feet.







The evening at Khujaai camp introduced us to the dreaded dry toilet tents and the challenge of conserving water in freezing temperatures, concluding with a warm meal and shared camaraderie around a traditional angeethi. An hour into struggling to enter 2 sleeping bags, the inevitable debate arose. Whether to try to sleep with a full bladder or to brave the biting cold and return to step 1 all over again!

Day 3 (3rd Jan)

We woke up to find our water bottles frozen, yet with a fire burning within us, we were determined to trek on. A quick warm up after breakfast and we were on our way. The day's trek was a short one, hence we stopped at a clearing and was introduced to a fun game of "Ek Machli Paani Main Gyi Chapaak". Soon we reached our second camp site Bhoja Dadhi.

Our trek leader decided to turn the evening into a storytelling session. He asked us all to spill the beans on why we were there and what reaching the summit meant to us. As I listened to everyone's awe-inspiring tales, it put my pragmatic self in quite the pickle!

As for the drama of health check-ups at high altitudes, the pulse oximeter stubbornly refused to detect any sign of life in my frozen fingers. I couldn't help but ponder whether I was a "dead man walking" or a spectre haunting the Himalayan trails. After a frantic session of hand-rubbing the machine finally relented, acknowledging my status as alive and kicking!

Day 4 (4th Jan)

Ah, the legendary summit day on our Kedarkantha trek! Picture this: We ventured into the pitch-black darkness at an unearthly hour with nothing but the moon, stars, and our trusty headlamps to guide us. As we ascended, leaving the tree line behind, the silhouette of the majestic Kedarkantha emerged like a scene straight out of a fantasy novel.





Strapping on our spikes to conquer the snowy terrain, we trudged forward, eagerly anticipating the sunrise spectacle. And oh, what a sight it was! Witnessing the alpine glow paint the mountain peaks in hues of pink and gold was like watching nature's own canvas come to life.





Finally, at the summit, we were greeted by a panorama of majestic views. The legendary peaks—Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Black Peak—all standing tall and proud, as if welcoming us to their lofty domain. Of course, no summit is complete without an extensive photoshoot to capture the moment for posterity.









But wait, the fun didn't end there! On our descent, we couldn't resist the temptation to indulge in some snow play like kids in a winter wonderland.



Back at Bhoja Dadhi, fueled by a quick lunch, we embarked on the next leg of our journey to Khujaai. And what better way to end a day filled with epic adventures than with a grand stargazing session? Alas, despite the celestial spectacle above, tiredness got the best of me, and I dozed off, leaving my comrades to enjoy the cosmic show while nestled in our sleeping bags under the open sky.



Day 5 (5th Jan)

The next day of our Kedarkantha adventure dawned with a mix of excitement and unexpected twists. After a hearty breakfast, we decided to kick things off with a lighthearted frisbee session, soaking in the crisp mountain air. We also delved into the cultural fabric of the region, learning a tribal dance that was a whole lot of fun.

However, fate had a curveball in store for me. While navigating the rugged terrain on our way back to basecamp, I encountered a slippery patch and found myself taking an unintentional tumble. The sharp pain shooting through my ankle and the telltale signs of swelling confirmed my worst fear – an ankle fracture. As I struggled to bear weight on my injured foot, our dependable trek guide, Kanhaiya, swooped in like a true hero, carrying me piggyback the rest of the way to base camp.



Arriving at base camp, I resigned myself to a period of rest, with my foot elevated and wrapped snugly. Meanwhile, the spirit of camaraderie among our group shone brighter than ever as my fellow trekkers rallied around to lift my spirits. As the evening descended, we engaged in a spirited game of dumb charades.

Despite the unexpected turn of events, the day ended on a high note, with the warmth of friendship shining through.



Day 6 & 7

The final day of our Kedarkantha adventure marked the beginning of our journey back to reality, as we bid farewell to the serene mountains.

As we descended from the tranquil wilderness, civilization gradually encroached upon us with the return of mobile network connectivity. I received a piece of welcome news – I had passed my DM final exams, an achievement that lifted my spirits.

Upon reaching Dehradun, we made a pit stop at a local hospital. An X-ray confirmed the severity of my ankle fracture. Temporary stabilisation was undertaken and the pain of fracture reduction allowed me to experience stargazing session 2.0!

I soon encountered my steadfast companion for the days to come – The Crutch. Our team gathered for a final night of revelry at a pub in Dehradun, cherishing the memories forged and promising to stay connected despite the miles that would soon separate us.

Fortune smiled upon me once again as two fellow trekkers, bound for Delhi, offered their assistance on the journey ahead. I boarded a connecting train to Bhopal, where a friend awaited my arrival. Late into the night, we made our way to the hospital, where I was promptly admitted.

Day of Surgery

Surgery had to be delayed in order for the swelling to reduce despite me elevating the limb high up above. So 4 days after admission I was wheeled into the OR. Experiencing the patient's point of view opened up a completely new perspective. Spinal anaesthesia and an opioid-narcotic administered to 'calm my nerves' gave me a sensation of floating in the clouds with no legs! It was after the surgery that I received the dreaded news. 6 weeks of non weight bearing with leg in a cast followed by gradual rehabilitation where I would learn to walk again on 2 legs. Damn!

So, as I sit in my cast, reminiscing about the highs and lows of the Himalayan escapade, I know one thing for certain: no matter where life takes me next, I'll always have the laughter, the camaraderie, and the sheer absurdity of that unforgettable trek in the mountains.

[masterChief007]

In every trek the dilemma of to do or not to do always arises late at night. Not doing gives u mental stress and doing is tough in cold weather. At least now they have dry tents. Earlier it was BYOB (build your own bathroom).

Also digging cathole (good that it's not named after the animal donkey) in the early dawn isn't too thrilling experience. I treat dry tents as a luxury now

Quite a few of the funny stories in my repertoire are related to ablutions.

[suavesouvik]

Originally Posted by masterChief007

Quite a few of the funny stories in my repertoire are related to ablutions.

Looking forward to reading about them

Regards

[vijayols]

Tough luck with the ankle fracture but so cool that you kept your spirits up.photos are amazing.

Looking forward to future trek diaries.

[suavesouvik]

Originally Posted by vijayols

Looking forward to future trek diaries.

Thanks. Your vivid account of the KGL trek inspired me to sign up for Kedarkantha. KGL is definitely on the cards, maybe next year.

Regards

[Venkatesh.C]

Amazing trip and nice pics. As soon as the Vande Bharat was mentioned, I was wondering what happened to the Himalayan? Did it break down already? Then I realized the Himalayan adventure is the OG Himalayas and not the RE Himalayan

[suavesouvik]

Originally Posted by Venkatesh.C

Then I realized the Himalayan adventure is the OG Himalayas and not the RE Himalayan

Thank you for your kind words! Haha, I totally get the confusion. Yes, this adventure was all about the OG experience!

[vijayols]

Originally Posted by suavesouvik

Thanks. Your vivid account of the KGL trek inspired me to sign up for Kedarkantha. KGL is definitely on the cards, maybe next year.

Regards

Good to hear that.KGL is surely a must do trek but unfortunately you would need to do it sooner than later especially because of the crowds who throng there making the place over crowded.

Any of the treks in Kashmir are very pretty.Inida hikes has also opened a few smaller treks in Debrigarh(The forest and view of Hirakund are breathtaking)and Goa besides Chattisgarh which are fun to go.

Personally heading to Goechala in Sikkim this year in Summer.Hope to catch up on one of the treks.