Badrinath: This challenging journey was undertaken by a team of 17 soldiers from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), including guides. This Kalindikhal-Badrinath track stands at 19,495 feet. Despite challenging conditions, the team, consisting of 17 soldiers including guides, navigated the pass on August 22-23, crossing around 80 icy streams and reaching Badrinath via Gastoli on August 30.
Surya Prakash, a guide with the trekking agency, mentioned that the 17-member ITBP team embarked on the trek on August 12. They traversed from Kalindi Base through Raktavan and Kharapathar, despite the track being damaged by monsoon rains. This was the sixth time Surya Prakash had guided a team across the Kalindikhal-Badrinath track, but he noted that this experience was unique due to the closure of the Gomukh-Tapovan trek in the Gangotri glacier for mountaineering.
This highlights indomitable courage of the ITBP officers and soldiers
This achievement highlights the indomitable courage of the ITBP officers and soldiers. RN Pandey, Deputy Director of Gangotri National Park, confirmed that this was an official and routine program of the ITBP. He said, “It is not the first time when a team of ITBP has crossed this highest trek route, it was a routine program. Every time, these ITBP soldiers exhibit immense courage while embarking upon this trek.”
World’s highest and most renowned trekking routes is the Everest Base Camp Trek
One of the world’s highest and most renowned trekking routes is the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. This trek reaches an elevation of 5,550 meters (18,204 feet) at its highest point, Kala Patthar. The journey takes trekkers around the foothills of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet).
Another notable high-altitude trek is the KalindiKhal Pass Trek in Uttarakhand, which reaches an elevation of 5,950 meters (19,520 feet). This challenging trek connects Gangotri and Badrinath Dham, offering breathtaking views and a demanding route through glaciers and snowfields. Kalindi Khal Pass, situated in the Garhwal Himalayas at an elevation of 5,950 meters, lies at the base of Kalindi peak. Renowned for its challenging nature, the KalindiKhal Pass Trek is one of the toughest treks in Uttarakhand. Despite its difficulty, it is well-known for its route that leads to the sacred Badrinath Temple.