Kedarkantha peak - quattro

Is there method in this madness? 

The night before our climb we had been scared enough to start early on, that I guess I woke up around at 3 AM. I still lay lazily in my tent until I started to hear banging of people around.

I quickly dashed to the toilet tents to get my morning chores done and got dressed. It would be a long climb in dark and our head torches, poles and everything else was out. Happy who had doubts climbing to the peak due to his aching back was also feeling better and ready.

Somehow I was again nominated to lead. It is embracing that I am asked to do this although everyone else in the group seemed to be faster and stronger. I have been told I make a good rhythm and hope people are not overly kind.

We had a quick breakfast, I think, drank some tea and started climbing towards the peak. Before we could climb we had to get to the kitchen tent and fill up on water.

We were not carrying much today, just daypacks with bare minimum, for me it meant chocolates, cheese and water.

Lets Go!

It was dark when we started, with our guide leading and Neeraj managing the group. We had a steady pace, this is perhaps one of the only hikes I have ever done were I have not been exhausted. Every other trek in my life I get to a point where I question myself why do I do this? It as perhaps bonds of friendship being formed with new people that have led to an overall relaxed pace.

Our progress was slow but steady, it was a large group however suddenly one our team members (he /she who shall not be named) got sick, Lord Voldemort as I shall call this individual had been feeling dizzy and suddenly had a bad case of HAPE, he breathing was slow and was getting really tired. Neeraj true to his leadership skills got one of the guides to accompany her down.

Its hard to remember anything about this climb, I concentrated mostly to keep one step ahead of other, but I do remember the summit kept eluding us. Every time I am trying to get to top after a couple of hours you want it to be over however we saw three false summits but we soldered on.

During the hike the water line on my bladder froze and I was unable to drink any water for around an hour. This was rather troubling because I am in a habit of drinking water every now and then.

The last thing I remember getting on top was Neeraj dashing.

I want to go pee pee

When we were on one of these so called I am on top, one of our lady friend had to do her business, it was perhaps the worst place to get down and get it over with, she was on top of the ridge and wind was screeching and wherever you would look you her giant tattoo would read 'Jesus was here'. 

On Top

Eventually we were on the top,  The top is less of a peak and more of a plateau. I was rather dehydrated and very very slow, however I was carrying an empty bottle with me. I had expected to need it for alternate business.

I poured water from my bladder into the bottle, we made some calls and started ahead to the final yards at which there was a trishul. This for the highest point. We gathered around took pictures and started downhill.

The first thing as we started down was a a temple of Lord Shiva. I offered my prayers and started.

The most difficult part of the trek for me had now started, for those who know me I have no down climbing skill. I get super-super slow as I trot down, the only saving grace is that I dont get tired and do not have to stop.

At various points to pick up the pace I was sliding down the mountain with help of an ice axe. 

It was an unadventhrous climb down and I reached by the time lunch was served.

I had my lunch post which we walked down to Hargaon.