I occasionally wonder whether I was born to be a mountain man. Since I was a child, I have been captivated by the mountains because of their stillness and the pure, unadulterated beauty that surrounds them. It is here that you are most likely to see God’s creation in its clearest form, allowing you to revere and worship the Almighty. That is the reason why I always longed for a mountain destination whenever my parents discussed our summer vacations.
My buddies and I went on our first mountain trip together to the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. However, we spent most of the days travelling in the comfort of our private vehicle, staying in relatively good accommodation and enjoying delicious meals. I was in awe amidst the picturesque splendour of the Himalayas. But what I actually wanted was a real trek without these comforts, where my strengths would be put to the test by the tough terrain and harsh climate.
As for my my physical endurance, I performed far above both my own expectations as well as of the others in the group. In fact, I appeal to everyone-including my own family members-to take time off their busy schedules and partake in the untainted and unadulterated beauty of Mother Nature by hiking in these locales. I have come to the conclusion that if one keeps on putting it off until later, then age catches up with us and such journeys pose a real challenge.
Regarding emotional fortitude, I did falter in some desolate and difficult terrains, as well as in other areas where there was no cellular connectivity. It looked as if I had stepped onto a different planet.
The Almighty God, who has become the core of my life in all its facets and who has abundantly blessed me with everything I have today, has been the catalyst for the success of both of my trekking expeditions, and I have no regrets about anything.
Confident of my physical, psychological and emotional strength after these treks, I have now lifted my bar higher for the year 2023 when I intend to visit more locations, including the once-in-a-lifetime voyage to the North and South Poles. If the reader of this blog develops a desire to trek in the mountains, then I hope my experiences will provide them with some useful information. I would then consider my efforts in writing this blog sufficiently rewarded.
Thank you.
Kapil Kumar
