Auden's Col Trek
Named after John Bicknell Auden (brother of the poet W.H. Auden) who surveyed this route in the 1930s, this is one of India's most challenging and spectacular treks. It connects the Gangotri and Kedarnath valleys across a high col at 5490m flanked by the Jogin group of peaks. The route crosses glaciers, moraines, and technical terrain with views of Gangotri group peaks that are reserved for the truly committed.
Warnings
⚠Technical mountaineering skills required — not just trekking
⚠Active glaciers with crevasses — roped travel mandatory
⚠Khatling Glacier crossing is complex and dangerous
⚠Rockfall risk in several sections — helmets advised
⚠Weather windows are narrow — plan for delays
⚠No rescue possible for 5-6 days — full self-sufficiency required
⚠Prior 5000m+ experience and glacier experience mandatory
⚠Only a handful of operators have expertise for this route
⚠Physical preparation of 6+ months recommended
Campsites
Nala Camp
3,500mValley flat. No facilities. Stream water.
Rudragaira Base Camp
4,200mMoraine edge campsite. Basic flat spots. Glacier water.
Auden's Col Base
4,800mRocky glacier-edge camp. Exposed. Very cold.
Khatling Glacier Camp
4,200mOn-glacier camp. Requires flat ice spot. Cold.
Khatling Meadow
3,900mBeautiful meadow below glacier snout. Flat. Stream.
Cost Estimate
Full expedition support mandatory. Operators: Rs 55000-70000/person. Only experienced Himalayan operators should be trusted — Aquaterra, India Hikes (advanced), Snow Leopard Adventures.