Trip to Kedarkantha

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406140445.png" alt="Snow-covered Himalayan peaks viewed from Kedarkantha." width="" height=""> <figcaption>Snow-covered Himalayan peaks viewed from Kedarkantha.</figcaption> </figure>

One bucket list item has been crossed off and I have conquered the peak of a mountain! After a long period of frustrating events and tiring days, the trip came to an end the moment we reached the peak of Kedarkantha, a mountain in the Shivalik Hills, Uttarakhand with an elevation of 12,500 ft (3810 meters). But this trek was the latter part of the trip, the first few days were spent sight-seeing Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Mussoorie. And I understood so many things about myself, my friends, and the world.

Let's start chronologically, with all the events I can remember which are either related to me or were relevant enough.

Day 1

The people in the first train to Delhi were two groups of 8 (ours) and 6 members respectively.

Everyone had trekking bags or these luggage bags, while I had my normal school bag overfilled with stuff. I hadn't packed much the night before, well I had only packed for the actual trek, not knowing we'd be travelling to many more places and I'd feel like shit not having clothes.

Leaving College

One last class and some delayed packing meant we left college in a rush. The train ride settled into card games, snacks, and sleep.

Day 2

<figure class="img-right"> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260405215413.png" alt="S.J. looking out the train window" width="300" height=""> <figcaption>S.J. looking out the train window</figcaption> </figure>

The train ride continued: random talks, card games, and all that stuff. A disagreement over the rules eventually brought the games to an end.

Delhi

<figure class="img-left"> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260405225943.png" alt="P.B. and me walking to the metro station" width="" height=""> <figcaption>P.B. and me walking to the metro station</figcaption> </figure> We arrived in Delhi in the evening at about 6 pm. Starved, we had to go eat somewhere, but we decided we'd visit India Gate before heading to Chandi Chowk for food. The delhi dudes with DSLR cameras were trying extremely hard for people (and us) to take our pictures and in the end, we had to succumb to their pleas. They were so ass too. <figure class="img-left"> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260405225443.png" alt="India gate." width="360" height=""> <figcaption>India gate.</figcaption> </figure>

OMAXE Mall

We exited the Chandni Chowk metro station, somehow got lost, and—with our Haridwar train leaving at 11 pm—hurried into the nearby OMAXE mall for food. The restaurant area was huge and beautiful. S.Y. and I settled for Burger King, and I swear the burgers were so good.

<div style="display: flex; gap: 15px; align-items: center;"> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260405230830.png" alt="The supposed pure-veg restaurant that also said 'Anda-Bhurji' and made terrible food for S.J." width="" height=""> <figcaption>The supposed pure-veg restaurant that also said 'Anda-Bhurji' and made terrible food for S.J.</figcaption> </figure>

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406020204.png" alt="Burgers that S.Y. and I ordered." width="" height=""> <figcaption>Burgers that S.Y. and I ordered.</figcaption> </figure> </div> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260405230529.png" alt="The beautiful architecture of the OMAXE mall baffles me" width="" height=""> <figcaption>The beautiful architecture of the OMAXE mall baffles me</figcaption> </figure>

Another part of the group struck gold with aloo-kulche, and I couldn't stop stealing bites from their plates.

Someone noticed how late we were getting, so we rushed back to the station. Our AC3 compartment was already overflowing, and an impatient old man demanded that I move despite there being nowhere to go. We nearly lost our patience, but eventually everyone settled in—and, somehow, the other half of our group was in the adjacent compartment again.

The timing to wake up the next day was 5 am, and so without wasting time, we slept with our alarms on.

Day 3

Haridwar

At 5 am, we arrived in Haridwar. The other group continued to Dehradun, so we separated at this point.

Railway Station

<div style="display: flex; gap: 15px; align-items: center;"> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260405233211.png" alt="Haridwar Railway Station at 5:48 am" width="379" height=""> <figcaption>Haridwar Railway Station at 5:48 am</figcaption> </figure> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260405233236.png" alt="Haridwar Railway Station at 5:48 am" width="313" height=""> <figcaption>Haridwar Railway Station at 5:48 am</figcaption> </figure> </div>

We immediately needed a hotel. Some autorickshaw drivers spotted our huge group and took us to a place where they would presumably receive a commission. After checking in and getting ready, we found tea and toast at a small shop outside while monkeys jumped around hoping to steal our breakfast.

Dipping in the river

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406020507.png" alt="Ganga in Haridwar. The water is vibrant blue and green and not brown like in Varanasi." width="" height=""> <figcaption>Ganga in Haridwar. The water is vibrant blue and green and not brown like in Varanasi.</figcaption> </figure> <figure class="img-right"> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406020944.png" alt="Yummy chhola-puri-kachori at Rishikesh" width="300" height=""> <figcaption>Yummy chhola-puri-kachori at Rishikesh</figcaption> </figure>

After that, we left the hotel and headed to the river Ganga to take dips in the water. The group became separated among the many bridges, and unclear directions caused a brief misunderstanding before we found one another. Once things settled, we entered the fast, freezing water and crossed the railing with chains in hand. S.Y. tried to recreate the Chhava scene where he is held by two chains.

Afterward, we headed toward Mansa Devi Temple. Before that, we were hungry and had chhola-puri-kachori at a famous shop.

Mansa Devi Temple

The group split: some climbed the thousand steps to Mansa Devi Temple, while the rest of us chose the ropeway. After some mosambi juice, we boarded and watched Haridwar unfold beneath us.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406021459.png" alt="View from the ropeway" width="" height=""> <figcaption>View from the ropeway</figcaption> </figure>

Due to the overcrowded temple (as all temples go) I merely walked through, and didn't know what to do with the offerings. Just prayed like usual, and we were out.

After meeting the others and taking the ropeway down, we collected our luggage, loaded it into a large auto, and left for Rishikesh. Exhausted from the walking, I slept through much of the ride.

Rishikesh

I woke up near the hotel the guys had eyed online, named Mustache hotel, where we were to spend one day. Apparently the place was known to have housed The Beetles at one points in time, and had their image blown up by this fact.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406030313.png" alt="The view from inside Mustache Hotel reception" width="" height=""> <figcaption>The view from inside Mustache Hotel reception</figcaption> </figure>

A warm welcome

The receptionist was welcoming and had a memorable presence, which added to the hostel's pleasant first impression.

Moustache Hostel

The hostel rooms were divided between two separate buildings. Six of our eight beds were in one wing, so all eight of us decided to stay there. The bunk beds were huge, the room was beautiful and spacious, and the mattresses were fluffier than clouds. Yes, this was gold.

After settling in, we rented two scooters and two motorcycles and got ready to explore Rishikesh at night.

Freedom Cafe

With a Snickers in my mouth, we headed outside on two scooters and two motorcycles. I drove a scooter with R.C. sitting behind me. The path across Laxman Jhula felt barely wider than my handlebars; the slightest deviation seemed capable of sending us off the bridge. We made it through the narrow lanes to Freedom Cafe, a cliffside cafe overlooking the Ganga, where some negotiation and help from a waiter secured us a beautiful seat at the edge of a balcony.

After the disappointing food, we moved down to the riverbank, where people sat together as they do along the ghats in Varanasi. One man played guitar, couples gathered around, and another couple sat on a rock in the river. I had just sat down when I felt sharp pains inside my shirt. There was a huge insect trapped inside it. My attempts to crush or remove it failed, so P.B. helped hold it while I took off my shirt and threw the insect away. I shamefully put my shirt back on as the people behind me watched.

P.B. sat alone on a rock beside a couple, creating such an unintentionally dramatic scene that S.J. immediately turned it into a meme—then went and joined him. I eventually sat there too and took in the riverbank atmosphere.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406033126.png" alt="Banks of River Ganga in Rishikesh" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Banks of River Ganga in Rishikesh</figcaption> </figure>

Biking

Afterward, we grabbed our scooters and rode around without a destination. We stopped near a crossing that led toward a dark, forested area, where everyone took turns trying the motorcycles.

Everyone was taking pictures with the motorcycles. When I tried to take one for a ride, S.Y. asked me to wait while he finished his photos. I eventually sat down, assuming I would not get a turn. S.Y. noticed, though, and insisted that I get on; A.S. and the others joined him. After riding for a while, I handed the motorcycle to P.B., who wanted to demonstrate his “driving skills.” He sped along the cliffside for a solid minute. I was scared as fuck, but at least we did not fall.

When we were done with that point, we stopped briefly at a market before driving onward. It was late at night and Laxman Jhula was closed, so Google Maps sent us along a suspiciously long alternate route. Seeing the others leave in the same direction, we followed them.

S.J. and I became philosophical about how one river had shaped an entire city. We drove through complete darkness, surrounded by cliffs, forests, and gravel. Huge trucks passed us, so S.J. took it slowly.

Day 4

More in Rishikesh

Returning the rented

We returned the rented scooters in the morning, made a quick stop for basic supplies, and regrouped over breakfast.

River Rafting

Back at the hostel, five of us signed up for river rafting and climbed into the operator's van with two other travellers. Having failed to buy sandals, I had to sacrifice my white shoes to the river.

I kept recording the scenery. When we got to the site of boarding the boats, the dudes gave us the equipment. Helmets, life jackets, and oars. But I didn't get an oar :(

<div style="display: flex; gap: 15px; align-items: center;"> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406043319.png" alt="The site of boarding the boat" width="372" height=""> <figcaption>The site of boarding the boat</figcaption> </figure> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406043411.png" alt="The site of boarding the boat" width="298" height=""> <figcaption>People</figcaption> </figure> </div>

After receiving [[[[instructions]], we boarded the boat. The guide placed me in the center without an oar, which made the first few rapids feel like watching rather than rafting. I complained until P.B. generously swapped places with me after the third rapid, and the experience immediately became worth it.

I didn't let go of the oar after this point. The rapids arrived one after another, and a few times we entered the water while holding the ropes along the sides of the boat.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406043853.png" alt="River rafting!" width="" height=""> <figcaption>River rafting!</figcaption> </figure>

During one of the rapids, named Goalpost, S.S. and R.C. came flying into me and the boat almost tipped over. It was really fun. S.Y. and P.B. kept shouting for everyone to row in sync, and I was enjoying it too.

Danger

Seeing another boat's passengers get into the water a second time, we urged our guide to allow us too. After some negotiation, he agreed and we went down.

Soon after, the wind began to blow, sweeping the boat toward the rocks. The guide panicked, and so did we. As the rocks drew closer, he pulled people back aboard one by one, shouting, "You should have listened to me!"

After R.C., S.S., and P.B. were aboard, only S.Y. and I remained in the water. We tried to reach the safe side, but the rotating boat kept bringing us back toward the rocks. P.B. grabbed both our arms at once, smiling despite being unable to pull either of us up. For a moment, I felt completely done for.

The others eventually hauled us aboard. The guide had pulled P.B. up so forcefully that his leg hurt, but everyone was finally out of danger. Somehow, both of us got pulled up by the others, and S.Y. and I were both pulled onto the boat, out of any danger.

Breathing and listening to the guide ramble for a few minutes, we went back in the water afterwards too lmao.

A few rapids later, tired arms and one urgent bathroom request ended our run early. After a long negotiation, we paid ₹1,800 for the GoPro pictures and took the operator's jeep back to the hostel.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406142850.png" alt="End of river rafting" width="" height=""> <figcaption>End of river rafting</figcaption> </figure>

Leaving the hostel

The others had already packed our belongings because checkout time had passed, so we changed quickly and headed out.

We caught a bus to Dehradun that nearly left behind a hungry P.B., who had to run after it. From Dehradun, we found a car and continued toward Mussoorie.

During the drive, the night lights scattered across the mountains caught my attention. I began to open up and joke with everyone in the car. Because the group was tired and unusually quiet, my jokes actually got some traction.

Mussoorie

Cloud End

When we got out near Library Chowk, the cold hit immediately. After warm Haridwar and Rishikesh, we had wondered whether carrying jackets was a mistake. Mussoorie answered that question quickly.

While part of the group searched for a stay, the rest of us watched Dehradun's lights from sunset point. From that height, the city looked like it was being viewed from a plane. <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260813074653.png" alt="" width="" height=""> <figcaption>The sparkling city</figcaption> </figure>

Two friends returned with news of excellent momos, so we followed their trail. The vendor sold ten for ₹100; because we did not negotiate, he happily gave us twelve. Yum.

While eating, I finally found a good sandal shop and bought a pair for ₹550—problem solved.

Two hours after we reached Mussoorie, the guys returned with scooters from our new stay. The owners had kindly brought extra scooters to help carry our luggage.

Moving the mountain of luggage onto the scooters got hectic. I insisted on carrying two bags at once, ignored sensible advice, and injured my shoulder for the rest of the trip. Should have listened, lol.

Our stay was far from Cloud End: four spacious rooms across two floors with wooden walls. We rested well that night.

Day 5

More in Mussoorie

In the morning of 28th of March, I headed up the hill near the stay to check out the view and oh boy was I amazed. <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406144104.png" alt="The Mussoorie morning" width="" height=""> <figcaption>The Mussoorie morning</figcaption> </figure>

We got ready, I threw on my blue jacket, and we headed out to explore Mussoorie.

The first stop? Delai Hills. The views from the roads were incredible. The cliffs with civilisation made it feel unreal. I drove at first, and A.P. recorded the scenery with my phone.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406144518.png" alt="Scooter rides in Mussoorie" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Scooter rides in Mussoorie</figcaption> </figure>

Dalai Hills

A mountain where a Buddha statue was located, and a Buddhist temple close-by. The IAS academy LBSNAA was also visible from the hills, although we were driven away by the guards near the entrance lol.

We climbed the mountain slowly. The views were getting better by the second. Until I saw the greatest view so far.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406144933.png" alt="The Dalai Hills. You can spot LBSNAA in the bottom" width="" height=""> <figcaption>The Dalai Hills. You can spot LBSNAA in the bottom</figcaption> </figure>

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406145317.png" alt="A huge chess set in a lawn" width="264" height=""> <figcaption>A huge chess set in a lawn</figcaption> </figure> <figure class="img-right"> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406151934.png" alt="Maggi above LBSNAA" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Maggi above LBSNAA</figcaption> </figure>

I immediately video-called my sister and showed her the view. She was just as surprised by it. There was a statue of Buddha there, it was recently built. Got loads of pictures there too.

Farther ahead, we found a cafe and a mother dog with her puppies. While S.Y. and S.S. took solo pictures, we ordered Maggi and tea and settled into a large seating area on the cliff.

We later visited the temple on the base of the hill, and got some souvenirs. Fridge magnets. S.J. got a thingy you hang on doors.

We returned to the mall road in Mussoorie, where S.Y., S.S., and I got some excellent omelettes. Cheese-and-butter omelettes exist, and they are tasty as fuck. Got some pictures there too. We entered a cloth shop too, where we decided we'd buy clothes from in the night.

We had to switch our stay to another one nearby. The view was better from its balcony this time. <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406185224.png" alt="The new stay." width="" height=""> <figcaption>The new stay.</figcaption> </figure>

The next stop? Mount George.

Mount George

Well George was some british dude that probably climbed the mountain and named it after him, it was a small mountain climbable in less than an hour.

While the scooters were being refuelled, three of us confidently walked in the wrong direction and had to be retrieved by the others.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406185538.png" alt="I liked how the metals looked" width="" height=""> <figcaption>I liked how the metals looked</figcaption> </figure>

The drive to Mount George was chaotic. I was driving with A.P. behind me, and the scooter had terrible brakes: the rear brake was dead, while the front barely worked. Several overtaking attempts ended with me braking sharply for oncoming vehicles. Once A.P. confirmed that I was driving rashly, I handed the scooter over to him.

When we located the site, there was a big helicopter field with loads of people around. I saw a pretty lady in brown, and saw her 4 times during the visit. After filling some form, we headed up top.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406185719.png" alt="The clouds looked heavenly from the height." width="" height=""> <figcaption>The clouds looked heavenly from the height.</figcaption> </figure>

We climbed slowly, the exposed cliff beside us making every step feel consequential. Eventually, all of us made it to the top.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406190337.png" alt="Views during the mountain climb" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Views during the mountain climb</figcaption> </figure>

At the top, everyone scattered into solo-photo mode until I finally orchestrated a group picture of all of us looking into the distance.

Done with Mount George, we headed down. The guys wanted to visit Cloud End; I insisted that it was the same place where we had arrived, but no one listened. When we got there, I was proven right. We skipped it and continued toward Sunset Point and a supposedly good cafe at Lal Tibba.

Lal Tibba

The drive to Lal Tibba was jarring. Because it was a Saturday, the traffic was fucked up and getting through took a while. Reaching the sunset point was even worse because of a) the stupid scooter and b) the narrow road packed with an apparently infinite number of cars. Why do people even bring their cars to hilly regions, duh? And to top it all off: a parking ticket.

At the spot where Lal-Tibba was located, we stopped for a bit to grab amazing shots of the sunset.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260813075147.png" alt="Amazing sunset view from atop the mountains" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Amazing sunset view from atop the mountains</figcaption> </figure>

Lal-Tibba was the most disappointing location ever. Overcrowded dhaba is the best description, and the walls and pillars were so thin it seemed as if the crowd would destroy the building off the cliff. We never entered it.

Busted.

At this point, S.S., S.J., A.S., A.P., and I split off to find food while the others continued to Landour. With only two scooters for five people, S.S., S.J., and I rode three to a scooter. That was a mistake.

The one-way road gave us nowhere to turn, and a police officer stopped us for riding three to a scooter without helmets. Sigh. S.S. was called forward, and the police officer questioned us for quite a while. A.S. arrived and explained that eight of us had rented four scooters, but our search for food had separated the group and forced three of us onto one scooter. The officer said he would let us go only after seeing all four scooters. We called S.Y. and R.C. over, and once everyone had arrived, he released us without further trouble. We had endured enough disappointment for one day, so we headed back to the hotel.

Vintage Shop

We stopped by a vintage souvenir shop on the way, and the people got random cool stuff like keychains and whatnot. I saw vintage camera there too but I bought a painted bookmark instead lol.

Hungry, we grabbed average taste samosas and I got imarti from a small cafe, and with regrets, headed back to mall road.

Mall Road

The evening was alright, we walked around on an overcrowded mall-road. Grabbing random stuff to eat, and visiting random cafes that we could find. But never got any real food.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260813075427.png" alt="" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Overcrowded Mall Road</figcaption> </figure>

The clothes I liked were all the wrong size, so I left empty-handed except for a Hogwarts-style keychain from a souvenir shop. By then my legs had given up, and the hilly Mall Road was not helping. After a misunderstanding, I returned to the hotel without the keys and spent twenty minutes waiting on the sofa for everyone else. A fittingly clumsy end to Mussoorie.

Day 6

The day we leave for the trek to Kedarkantha!

Farewell Mussoorie

In the morning, we packed and walked back toward Library Chowk to meet N.S., our trekking guide. P.B. left for Dehradun at this point, so the rest of us continued toward Kedarkantha without him.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406193456.png" alt="The walk to Library Chowk in the morning" width="700" height=""> <figcaption>The walk to Library Chowk in the morning</figcaption> </figure>

A traveller bus awaited us near Library Chowk, where we met N.S. for the first time, loaded our luggage, and began the long journey toward Sankari.

We stopped at a cafe for breakfast. Despite warnings not to eat heavily before the winding drive, I confidently ordered aloo paratha anyway.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406194506.png" alt="For a dhaba this was a bit too modern" width="700" height=""> <figcaption>For a dhaba this was a bit too modern</figcaption> </figure>

From the morning until 5 pm, we were in the car. Several people struggled with motion sickness during the winding journey, so we took things slowly and rested whenever possible.

The views outside were breathtaking. I kept listening to “I Thought I Saw Your Face Today” while taking them in.

<div style="display: flex; gap: 15px; align-items: center;"> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406194920.png" alt="Amazing views from the windows on the way to Sankari" width="261" height=""> <figcaption>Amazing views from the windows on the way to Sankari</figcaption> </figure> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406194942.png" alt="Amazing views from the windows on the way to Sankari" width="430" height=""> <figcaption>Amazing views from the windows on the way to Sankari</figcaption> </figure> </div>

Sankari

When we arrived at Sankari, we unloaded and discovered that my bottle had left with the bus. Over tea, N.S. introduced us to the mountain ahead while a huge evening cloud drifted close enough to demand a timelapse.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406195419.png" alt="A.P. and S.S. trying to record a timelapse of the clouds in Sankari" width="" height=""> <figcaption>A.P. and S.S. trying to record a timelapse of the clouds in Sankari</figcaption> </figure>

After tea, another member of my trekking guide group called us to the top of the stay at Sankari for a briefing. He explained the trekking gear, precautions, and other essentials, then gave us the necessary forms to sign. Later, we went down for a great dinner made by K., the cook who would accompany us through the trek.

Grabbed jackets, trekking shoes, poles, neck warmers, and all of that stuff, along with negotiations on prices on renting and buying those items.

After some conversations on politics with the other dudes, I fell asleep before any fun shit occurred.

Day 7

Trek begins

We were to get up at 8 am, to pack up and get ready for the trek at 10 am. We packed up our stuff in one singular room, put all our clothes in the freaky green bag that we hated, wore all of the gear and left for the trek at about 11 am. Yes we were late lmao.

It was still quite warm in Sankari, and the jackets were proving too warm for us. So before we even got to the first tea point, our jackets were off.

At the first tea point, N.S. advised us to grab items here itself as it gets expensive up there. Everyone went ham on chocolates, and our bill amounted to ₹1800 through chocolates alone.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406201220.png" alt="Right: A view during the trek" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Right: A view during the trek</figcaption> </figure>

Juda-ka-Talab

<figure class="img-right"> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406201425.png" alt="Juda-ka-Talab camp" width="700" height=""> <figcaption>Juda-ka-Talab camp</figcaption> </figure>

Exhausted, we reached our first checkpoint: Juda-ka-Talab. Two trekking groups were camped there. Ours had three sleeping tents and one kitchen tent; the other group occupied more than fifteen tents higher up the hill.

We unpacked our sleeping bags and attempted an afternoon nap. Mine contained a mysterious, foul-smelling cloth, so sleep did not come easily. A longer rest, tea, popcorn, and a game of bluff eventually revived me.

As darkness fell, even walking into the woods became intimidating. We crowded into one tent, traded stories, and teased one another about our love lives until everyone became too tired to continue—conveniently just before they reached mine. I removed the smelly cloth from my sleeping bag, but the night was bitterly cold. By 5 am, I was shivering despite curling tightly into the bag and trying everything I could to warm up.

Day 8

The sunlight of the morning finally calmed my shivers down, and we took turns brushing, cleaning up, and slowly getting ready for the next checkpoint.

Actual Juda-ka-Talab

<figure class="img-left"> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406220012.png" alt="The actual Juda-ka-Talab" width="" height=""> <figcaption>The actual Juda-ka-Talab</figcaption> </figure>

We finally saw Juda-ka-Talab the actual pond, and there was literally no snow. N.S. bhaiya showed us how just on 20th March this place was buried under snow and now there wasn't an ounce of it. I deeply regretted this information since I really wanted to touch snow.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406202645.png" alt="Views after Juda-ka-Talab" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Views after Juda-ka-Talab</figcaption> </figure>

At one cliffside, we located a place where we got a phone signal. We called our family members to tell them we were alright, and I briefly checked in about coursework back at college. Most classes had been cancelled because of a fest anyway.

First snow!

And as we walked through the elevation, snow appeared. S.J. and I ran towards the cliff hoping to be the first ones to touch snow. S.J. won sadly.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406215133.png" alt="The first time I ever witnessed snow" width="" height=""> <figcaption>The first time I ever witnessed snow</figcaption> </figure>

I also noticed a strange phenomenon in one layer of snow: fallen leaves absorbed heat and melted small craters into the surface. It was trypophobia-inducing and thoroughly gross.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406215235.png" alt="Melting snow holes due to leaves" width="301" height=""> <figcaption>Melting snow holes due to leaves</figcaption> </figure>

The next checkpoint wasn't far at all. Possibly just 1 km, and this was the base camp.

Kedarkantha Base Camp

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406220209.png" alt="Getting to the base camp" width="318" height=""> <figcaption>Getting to the base camp</figcaption> </figure>

The moment we got to the basecamp, we took in the most perfect view ever. Everyone started to grab pictures, and I just took the opportunity to take the most perfect panorama picture ever.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406215624.png" alt="My proud picture at Kedarkantha Base-camp" width="" height=""> <figcaption>My proud picture at Kedarkantha Base-camp</figcaption> </figure>

The location had a few camps close-by too, a sudden pit near our tents, and the way to the toilet-tent was too far away. We had to cross a field of snow to get to it.

Since this location was reached earlier than normal, the day was spent here enjoying different activities.

R.C. and N.S. fed biscuits to a dog while S.Y. and S.S. produced ramen after an intense search for the missing packets that nearly became an argument. S.J., knowing his stomach better than the rest of us, took exactly one bite.

<div style="display: flex; gap: 15px; align-items: center;"> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406220443.png" alt="Our best buddy protector doggo" width="460" height=""> <figcaption>Our best buddy protector doggo</figcaption> </figure>

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406220613.png" alt="Faceless picture of me. I have a neck-warmer up on my face" width="252" height=""> <figcaption>Faceless picture of me. I have a neck-warmer up on my face</figcaption> </figure> </div>

After a short game of bluff, four of us wandered into the forest and found a broad stretch of untouched snow. I immediately drew a cat.

Faced with an entire field of snow, I could not pass up the chance to build a snowman. S.S. and I collaborated on one.

<div style="display: flex; gap: 15px; align-items: center;"> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406221329.png" alt="Left: A snowman we built" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Left: A snowman we built</figcaption> </figure> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406221251.png" alt="Right: S.Y. destroying the snowman" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Right: S.Y. destroying the snowman</figcaption> </figure> </div>

On the way back, the guys posed Game of Thrones-style on a hollow tree trunk that resembled a throne. I stayed behind the camera.

Evening came in, the sky got even prettier. I got more panorama shots for everyone.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406222039.png" alt="Final sky of the evening" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Final sky of the evening</figcaption> </figure>

The moon came up. The night darkness covered our camps, and it got cold. Toilet-tent was too far out now to be approached.

We were to sleep earlier today, since we were to leave for the summit at 2 am today. We had decided that we'd reach the summit in the morning and watch the sunrise from the peak, since that felt like a fucking ending to a trip.

After a nice dinner, we went to our respective tents. It became rainier and chillier, so we played music and talked about the trip as we tried to sleep. I had already taken a piss before hoping I wouldn't have to piss again. N.S. needed to go to the toilet tent in the night and wanted a company, and since S.J. wanted to piss too he went with him. We waited. It took him a while to come back. When he returned, he told us how fucking terrifying it was. The darkness within the trees and the feeling of being watched or attacked by some animal (a bear perhaps) was terrifying to him, and he kept looking around with his flashlight on his head. Terrified, he had returned to the tent.

Just 5 mins after his return, the dogs around our tent began to bark loud. They had seen something. Then the noises started. We could hear some animal that the dogs had followed, and we were scared shitless. S.J. still wasn't pausing the fucking music down as I urged him to stop and hear what was going on outside. The intense wind shook our tent and I thought the bear was right outside and got fucking scared. S.J. couldn't stop saying how he got out of it alive, he would have died if he had stayed longer, and all that and wasn't shutting up about it. A.P. needed to take another piss in the night. I kept telling him to wait and to not go but he really needed to go. After controlling for over 20 mins and the noises to die down, we went outside together, took a piss and returned immediately. The moon looked super different from the dark. Gladly the moonlight did allow some visibility or else we would have pissed in our tents. We slept nicely after packing our final items for the summit tomorrow. We decided to take only one bag (mine). This was a mistake.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406225418.png" alt="Spikes and gaiters for gripping the snow" width="327" height=""> <figcaption>Spikes and gaiters for gripping the snow</figcaption> </figure>

Day 9

The night of the walk to the summit

We woke at 2:10 am, already packed, and waited for tea and breakfast. Mouthwash replaced brushing. Loaded for the night, we ventured out. K. advised us to carry ponchos; with those and the filled water bottles, my bag became fucking heavy. Before I could reconsider anything, the four-kilometre summit trek had begun.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406224700.png" alt="The moonlight and the snow cliffs" width="" height=""> <figcaption>The moonlight and the snow cliffs</figcaption> </figure>

The darkness limited us to the person ahead and the patch of ground beneath our headlamps. The route was steeper and longer than anything before it, and exhaustion came quickly. We took turns carrying the heavy bag and climbed slowly. Gaiters and metal spikes gave us traction; without them, slipping on the continuous snow would have been unavoidable.

<figure class="img-right"> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406225612.png" alt="Steep snow-cliffs" width="213" height=""> <figcaption>Steep snow-cliffs</figcaption> </figure>

The first steep slopes were terrifying. Looking sideways revealed only an endless sheet of snow falling away beneath us. One slip could have been fatal. No joke. People kept motivating and advising on what was coming and what to do. The poles that we kept using all trek were game-changers and helped in gaining friction.

At one point, N.S. got scared of the black-ice formation (extra slippery ice due to melting) and asked us to stop. He didn't want us to continue to the peak. But we urged him since coming this far would have meant nothing. I agree we should be listening to our guide, but like come on. Don't steal my summit from me.

At the first tea stall, we rested, switched bags, and ate chocolates. S.J. and I climbed together, sharing water and snacks, until S.Y. caught up. R.C., as usual, was somehow far ahead.

As we had started late (we actually began at 4 am) the sun started to make the sky brighter. It felt as if we'd never get to see the sunrise from the peak. This motivated us to go up faster. But slow steps were taken.

At the second and final tea stall, N.S. was at his limit. He had a severe headache and decided that he would stop and wait for us to go up. We took the opportunity and left our raincoats with him at the tea-stall. This made things easier.

Closer to the summit, the sun started to appear. The group rested together near a cliff, and we got this picture.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406231621.png" alt="The early sun towards the Summit" width="" height=""> <figcaption>The early sun towards the Summit</figcaption> </figure>

Walking and walking, the cliffs got even steeper. I found a woman in an extremely dangerous spot. Steep cliff, snow, and she was in the middle of it. One slip and she would have died. I advised her to move onto land (not snow) which saved her. Her guy and both I kept telling her to not look behind. Because it was just that scary.

And then. After constant walking. We finally made it. The summit of Kedarkantha.

The Summit

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406231834.png" alt="The best picture I have ever taken" width="" height=""> <figcaption>The best picture I have ever taken</figcaption> </figure> <figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406231805.png" alt="A panoramic view of the top of Kedarkantha peak." width="" height=""> <figcaption>A panoramic view of the top of Kedarkantha peak.</figcaption> </figure>

A signal finally appeared. Somehow, Jio worked from the highest rock. I video-called my family, who were amazed by the view, then handed the phone to A.P. so he could call his family while I joined the others in taking pictures.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406232136.png" alt="The best picture I have ever gotten" width="" height=""> <figcaption>The best picture I have ever gotten</figcaption> </figure>

Chilling around randomly, I helped other people get pictures. More pictures for me. Taking out my glove felt like frostbite. I never would have thought my hands could go numb in less than a minute. It was definitely below 0 degrees Celsius up there. S.Y. and S.S. got some poses in, a one hand push-up and with the pleas of K. to get down now, we finally ended it. I did take a piss on the peak though. Haha.

<figure> <video controls muted preload="metadata" playsinline> <source src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Video at the top.mp4" type="video/mp4"> Your browser does not support video playback. </video> <figcaption>A video at the top</figcaption> </figure>

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406234538.png" alt="A souvenir rock was taken from the mountain." width="700" height=""> <figcaption>A souvenir rock was taken from the mountain.</figcaption> </figure>

Descent

<figure class="img-right"> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406232737.png" alt="Me sliding down a snowy cliff. I used my pole to brake at times, but it was unpredictable" width="700" height=""> <figcaption>Me sliding down a snowy cliff. I used my pole to brake at times, but it was unpredictable</figcaption> </figure>

On the way down, the other trekkers were sliding and we joined in. It was really fun! I almost sprained my knee though because I braked too early. S.S. also went hurdling down at first rotating and rotating. And almost lost his phone in the snow.

The descent to base camp took a while, but all of us eventually made it back.

Back at base camp, S.Y. and I developed headaches and took medicine while we rested. K. bhaiya wanted us to go as far as Juda-ka-Talab, but we didn't want to stay any longer and motivated ourselves to go all the way down to Sankari.

We had already climbed four kilometres and descended four, yet still decided to walk another eight kilometres down to Sankari. K. stayed with those of us at the back so no one got lost.

New skill unlocked

Suddenly, we saw two locals practically parkour down the hill we had been carefully trying to descend. S.J. and I were astonished by their jumps and footwork. I tried copying their movements—and, somehow, it worked. I made it down the first hill much faster than usual.

I had unlocked a new skill! Descending quick! Basically I had to gain momentum, and gravity would just pull me down. I just had to carefully place my feet to not lose balance.

I got far ahead of my group. After seeing me jump around, S.J. tried it too—and it worked for him as well. When he finally caught up, he said it felt like a game had just shown him a “New Skill Unlocked!” notification. The analogy was so funny, lmao. A.P. was too tired to try it, so despite our newfound speed, we regularly had to wait for him.

We eventually returned to Juda-ka-Talab, where S.Y. and the rest of the group were resting. S.J. and I told them about the new skill we had unlocked. S.Y. thought we were fucking around, which gave us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate our profound abilities. We jumped and descended faster than anyone expected, making the group—and N.S.—worry that we would fall flat on our faces. They wanted us to stop, but hell nah. We kept going until the terrain became too rough for confident footing. By then, we were far ahead.

Eventually the trick stopped feeling like a newly unlocked skill and started feeling exhausting, so we returned to an ordinary walk down to Sankari.

We played songs from The Local Train as I got down, along with a doggo that followed me lmao.

<figure class="img-left"> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260406234346.png" alt="Following doggo protecting me" width="353" height=""> <figcaption>Following doggo protecting me</figcaption> </figure>

Back in Sankari

Back in Sankari with dead legs, I wanted a shower immediately. The geyser malfunctioned, the electricity vanished the moment I switched it on, and an absurd relay of friends delivered soap and then washing detergent. Eventually, both I and my clothes became clean again.

I put the souvenir rock on my WhatsApp status and received several enthusiastic replies. It was fun catching up on the fest stories I had missed while we were away.

The rest of the night

We wandered through Sankari's shops in the dark, and I bought a scarf before our final dinner at the stay. Then we collapsed into bed.

Day 10

Time to go back

We had to pack everything in the morning. The tea at the stay was already over, so we grabbed some at the shop in front. All my clothes had dried too. Yay!

After tea and Maggi, we lost track of time and the traveler bus arrived before my bag was packed. We rushed to gather everything, and in the chaos I forgot to put my souvenir in my bag. Once packed, we climbed aboard and settled into our seats.

The bus started, and we were off to Dehradun. We'd reach at 8 pm in the evening, after a 10 hour drive.

I thought I had forgotten my souvenir rock, but S.J. had spotted it on the ground and quietly put it in my bag. I felt so happy I could kiss him.

The return ride was easier overall, although someone still felt unwell from the winding roads. We stopped at the same dhaba we had visited on the way up, where I just got a cola.

Dehradun

Back in Dehradun, we struggled to locate a hotel, but we eventually did. Settled there for a bit. My nose had been shredded due to the cold and the constant rubbing I did with my glove.

We got mosambi juice and ate at a vegetarian restaurant before returning to the hotel to rest.

The night was cozy, but my legs were suffering.

Day 11

Since our train back to Delhi left at about 5 am, we woke close to 4:30 and headed straight to the railway station. The train arrived beforehand, and we sat together. I got two Coke Zeros and spent the ride reflecting on the trip.

Project Hail Mary

We bought tickets to IMAX theatre experience of Project Hail Mary. The train got late however, and we got really really late while getting to the Select City Walk mall in Delhi. For a show of 12:20 pm, we arrived at 13:30 pm. Sigh.

Movie was great however. I had to read the initial plot from Wikipedia to understand anything lmao.

The Delhi mall was lively, crowded, and dramatically more fashionable than what we were used to back home. Everything was expensive: luggage storage cost ₹200 per person, and S.Y. and I somehow spent a fortune on two Baskin-Robbins ice creams. We agreed that no one should know about this shameful act. BRUH.

After the mall, we headed to the railway station and ordered a swiggy. We sat in our train at 6 pm, and before the swiggy dude could arrive, the train was already gone.

With the small amount of packets and chips we still had, we finished it all up and sat in our seats talking about random things. How R.C. kept pooping all the trip and throwing missiles. This missile joke had caught on because on one night in Juda-ka-Talab camp, R.C. had farted a 'poooooh' sound making it ultra hilarious for everyone. And R.C. had also tried pooping close to the summit. We got food through ecatering actually.

The e-catering food arrived at 11 pm, when everyone was tired and mostly asleep. We ate what we could and finally went to sleep.

Day 12

Raipur

After farting exactly once on the train, I somehow became part of the fart gang too. My family, meanwhile, was annoyed that I had not called to confirm I was fine.

After the train journey ended, we were back in Raipur. Made our way to an auto-rickshaw, and headed back to college. Drank some nice sugarcane juice and chana-pyaz.

The trip came to an end.

Back at the hostel, I rested, showered, and caught up on the coursework and classes I had missed. Thanks to my friends, the fest holidays, and a light schedule, returning felt far less stressful than expected.

<figure> <img src="/images/Trip to Kedarkantha/Pasted image 20260813080044.png" alt="" width="" height=""> <figcaption>Back to college</figcaption> </figure>

Shreyash Rai — #mountains