Day Four: 3rd March, 2020

Kedarkantha

Our hike towards the Kedarkantha base camp, started at 10:00 AM, after tea and breakfast at Juda lake, with loads of memories. Everyone's excitement level was high to reach next destination, to experience the real snow. The distance from Juda lake to Kedarkantha base camp though very short comparison to other stops, i.e. 2.5 KM, but the route was hard, due to steepy slope & snow. It was mandatory to wear crampons, which helped a lot to make the walk easy and simple.

Kedarkantha Base Camp

Gaining an altitude of around 3400m, at a regular walking speed, we reached at Kedarkantha base camp which is at 12,250 ft approx. in one and half hours, i.e. 11:30 AM. And the breathtaking view was right in-front of us. The view was different and more better than Juda lake, as it was surrounded by tall trees, snow, and Himalaya landscapes. As a nature lovers, I couldn't stop myself, taking videos, those heavenly views. It was 01:00 PM, we finished our lunch. Some rested in their tent and some started playing cards.

Altitude - 3400m

In-betwen clicked some portraits, and made sure having enough power for my DSLR for Kedarkantha summit. It was around 5:00 PM, and time for snacks. Was very much happy to see hot  Maggie, mushroom soup and tea, served, as it was much needed, with the dip in temperature in that area. It was damn cold, and saw Dev (our guide) seated next to bonfire and enjoying the heat, in the kitchen area.We joined him & all together had nice group discussions, our past experiences on travelling, different places and on past medical histories. Dev as well shared his stories, how he trained for this profession. All sudden the sky above our head looked so dark, with cold wind. We were praying to GOD that, no snow storm please, otherwise have to go back from base camp without summit.   

Kedarkantha

Dinner time, 7:00 PM. After dinner, we were all briefed about the next day's schedule, the Summit day. Everyone were determined to conquer the peak. Advisable to carry a small back pack, with very limited items to carry, like water bottle, sun screen lotion, leap balm, medicines if any, rain coat or poncho, energy bars etc. Time for rest for sometime, as tomorrow's task will be difficult to walk, around 4.5 KM from base camp to peak, with surrounded by heavy snow and much higher altitude. Most difficult part was to start the trek at 2:00 AM, with Approx. -15 degree temperature. We all retired to bed right away after dinner. No games were played, that night. Cloud was clear, so our summit day was ON. That was such difficult night for me, to get some sleep. Unfortunately I couldn't sleep properly, in anticipation of our early start and mission for tomorrow.