Auden’s Col Trek ek high-altitude aur challenging Himalayan expedition hai jo Gangotri se Kedarnath tak jata hai. Is trek me aap Auden’s Col (5,500 m) aur Mayali Pass (5,000 m) cross karte ho, saath hi glaciers, valleys aur alpine lakes ka amazing experience milta hai.
Advance Facilities
Challenge
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Dual Pass Conquest: Summit the formidable Auden’s Col (5,490 m) and the spectacular Mayali Pass (5,000 m) in a single expedition.
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Technical Terrain: Navigate the treacherous crevasses of the Khatling Glacier and tackle steep, challenging ice slopes.
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Breathtaking Vistas: Behold unparalleled, panoramic views of the Bhagirathi Group, Jogin Peaks, and the majestic Gangotri Range.
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High-Altitude Lakes: Experience the serene and pristine beauty of Masar Tal and Vasuki Tal, two of the most secluded lakes in the Himalayas.
History
Discovery by J.B. Auden (1939)
The pass is named after John Bicknell Auden, a distinguished British geologist with the Geological Survey of India. In 1939, during his explorations of the Garhwal Himalayas, Auden discovered this high-altitude ridge connecting the Jogin I and Gangotri III peaks. His discovery successfully linked the Rudugaira valley (Gangotri side) with the Bhilangana valley (Khatling Glacier side).
The First Crossing (1983)
Despite its discovery in 1939, the pass remained uncrossed for decades due to its extreme technical difficulty and the treacherous nature of the Khatling Glacier. It wasn’t until 1983 that a team from the Himalayan Association of Calcutta, led by Harish Kapadia, successfully completed the first recorded crossing of the Col, solidifying its reputation as a legendary mountaineering route.
The Connection of Two Glaciers
Historically, the route was significant because it bridged two of the most massive glacial systems in the Garhwal region: the Khatling Glacier and the Gangotri Glacier system. Today, it remains a “holy grail” for trekkers, as it connects two of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites, Gangotri and Kedarnath, via a high-altitude wilderness trail.
