PRELUDE TO MY HIKING EXPERIENCE.
Part - 1
Anuj has been trekking in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh during the months of September/October since 2017.
That is the time when he comes to India from Singapore.
Depending on the leave availability, sometimes it is possible for us to come togather as a family or else, he does his trek and returns to Singapore.
His first trek was on his own. He had employed two local people, one as a guide and the other to help him with his backpacks.
Thereafter, he did his trekking trips with Kaya, his daughter, by joining the treks organised by trekking organisations Indiahikes and other such outfits.
Having heard of the beauty, the challenges and adventurous aspects in his colourful descriptions, I have also wanted to do the trekking in the Himalayas. I contacted Indiahikes to enquire about their treks. I was informed that they accept trekkers below 60 years, and that too after submission of a treadmill test report and other medical as well as fitness certificates.
I was already around 75 when I had made the enquiries, and that was that.
I was bitterly disappointed, but nothing I could do about it, and my age 😒
This year, he had planned a trek for Madmaheshwar, one of the Panch Kedar Trek he had not done and Tungnath and Chandrashila peak from 02 September to 07 September.
Kaya had very crucial annual exams of her academic career, so he was doing the trek alone. This was the first time, after many years, that he was going alone on a trek.
I sensed my chance and discussed with Priti about going on the trek with Anuj. To my great surprise and delight, she agreed on the condition that, if I do not get carried away while taking photos and do not get into dangerous situations and if Anuj agrees, I could go 😀
Spoke to Anuj and used all my persuasive powers, pleaded and used every stratagem I could think of,till he eventually agreed to take me.
In Part 2, I will cover the preprations, hard work and planning which went on before we actually undertook the trek.
No comments:
Post a Comment