Auden's Col Trek
14 Days · 5490m Col · Gangotri to Kedarnath Traverse · Experienced Trekkers Only
📅 14 Days
• 5490m Col
• Expert Only
🥾 Very Difficult
14 Days · 5490m Col · Gangotri to Kedarnath Traverse · Experienced Trekkers Only
Auden's Col (5490m) is a high mountain pass in Uttarakhand that links the Gangotri glacier basin (Uttarkashi district) with the Kedarnath valley (Rudraprayag district). It was first crossed in 1938 by John Bicknell Auden, a British geologist and mountaineer, and is named in his honour. The traverse from Gangotri to Kedarnath via this col is considered one of the most challenging and spectacular high-altitude treks in the Indian Himalaya.
The route starts from Gangotri and goes up the Chaturangi glacier, crosses the col at 5490m (with sections requiring fixed rope or crampon use depending on conditions), and descends into the Kedarnath valley via Vasuki Tal. The crossing involves glacier travel, steep snow and ice sections at the col, and high-altitude camp days. The views throughout the route — Shivling (6543m), Bhagirathi peaks, Kedarnath (6940m), and many others — are extraordinary.
Auden's Col is not a trek for anyone without prior glacier travel and crampon experience. A minimum of 2-3 prior Himalayan treks above 5000m and basic ice/snow skills are required. The route is rarely done and largely unmarked — an experienced local high-altitude guide is essential. Dev Yatra organises Auden's Col expeditions for qualified trekking groups with full technical support including crampons, ice axe, rope, and experienced mountaineer guides.
The col crossing involves glaciated terrain, steep snow, and technical sections. One of the most demanding non-mountaineering-permit routes in India.
Multi-day glacier travel on the Gangotri side — seracs, crevasses, and high ice plateau before the col.
Sacred lake at 5050m on the Kedarnath valley side. Mythologically connected to Vasuki (the divine serpent). Beautiful blue glacial water.
Shivling (6543m) — the "Himalayan Matterhorn" — and all three Bhagirathi peaks visible from the glacier approach.
BEST SEASON
Best snow conditions for col crossing. Stable weather windows. Most successful attempts in May-June.
EARLY AUTUMN
September can have good weather windows post-monsoon. Riskier than pre-monsoon. Only for experienced parties.
NOT POSSIBLE
Col is inaccessible in winter and monsoon. Very narrow weather windows.
All our treks start from Haridwar . Reach Haridwar first:
Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun (35 km from Haridwar). Flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru.
Haridwar Railway Station — overnight trains from Delhi take 5-6 hours.
Delhi ISBT to Haridwar by Volvo (6 hrs). State buses connect Haridwar to base towns.
Delhi to Haridwar 210 km (4-5 hrs via NH-58). Pickup from Delhi/Chandigarh/Dehradun on request.
Auden's Col (5490m) is one of the highest and most challenging high-altitude crossings in the Garhwal Himalaya, connecting the Gangotri glacier system (Uttarkashi) to the Kedarnath valley (Rudraprayag) via a remote and rarely-visited pass. Named after British geologist John Bicknell Auden who first surveyed it in 1935, the col requires crossing permanent snow and glaciers, using ropes and crampons, and camping above 5000m. It is a true Himalayan expedition rather than a trek. The route passes through Gangotri, Nandanvan, Vasuki Tal, and Khatling Glacier. The scenery throughout is extraordinary — close views of Bhagirathi peaks, Thalay Sagar, Jogin group, Kedarnath dome, and the vast Khatling ice field. Dev Yatra arranges complete Auden's Col expedition packages with technical guide, climbing equipment, full camping, high-altitude rations, and emergency support.