Wikipedia Treks Kalindi Khal

Background

Wikipedia Treks Kalindi Khal is a high-altitude trekking expedition from Gangotri to Badrinath in the Garhwal Himalayan region of India, which is to be organized by experienced mountaineers and trekkers of West Bengal, India in the month of September, 2015. This 99 kilometer challenging trek route passes through more than ten Himalayan glaciers like Gangotri, Raktabaran, Chaturangi, Basuki, Sweta, Sita, Arwa, Bidum etc. and one of the most breathtaking mountain-scape under the shadow of great peaks of Garhwal like Mt. Bhagirathi I, II, III, Mt. Shivling, Mt. Vasuki, Mt. Chandraparvat, Mt. Meru, Mt. Kalindi, Avalanche Peak etc. Scree, hidden crevasses, rock-fall zones, avalanche-prone areas, white-outs make this trek route extremely difficult to traverse. Kalindi Khal pass, the highest point of trek route, which is 19,510 feet or 5,948 metres above from sea-level, take a toll on the health of the trekkers, due to the high altitude and steep ascent.

This expedition targets not only to capture the photographs of the entire region, but also to document every possible details to fill the gaps in Wikivoyage and Wikipedia articles. Though this is the third Wikipedia Treks Mountains event, but it would be the first of its kind to help reach the Wiki world beyond the high passes and majestic terrains of Himalayas.

Importance of Kalindi Khal (pass):

Gangotri is the main source of the Bhagirathi River, an important tributary of the Ganges. Other glaciers like Raktabaran, Chaturangi, Basuki, Sweta, Sita, Arwa, Bidum etc. are also the life line for Bhagirathi and Ganges, the main source of water in Northern as well as Eastern India. Due to global worming the glaciers are getting reduced gradually. Due to these rapid variations, the geographical features of the whole region are getting transformed constantly. The high-resolution images captured in the trekking expedition will help the volunteers for documentation purpose and enrichment of existing articles.
The overall purpose of Wikipedia Treks Kalindi Khal is to increase the material related to Himalayan Range with a free license in Wikimedia Commons and improve the quality and increase the amount of articles about diversifying Garhwal Himalayan mountain range and other respective variety in different languages in Wikipedia. Reaching out to the majority of Himalayan mountain range during this trekking program will not only raise awareness among various community chapters, but also motivate them to contribute to the Wikimedia projects and organize this kind of trekking expedition in future.

Date of departure:	11th September, 2015
Date of arrival:	3rd October, 2015
Point of Assembly for departure:	Howrah Railway station
Time of Assembly for departure:	11.00 AM IST