Mountains Calling – Part I: A Detailed Account of Our Trekking Experience
“Hi! Shailesh Kaka is planning a Himalayan Trek in May – do you want to come? I got a text from my cousin a few months ago. I was skeptical. While I have done a few day treks before, I am not someone who is known for her stamina or trekking skills & it is certainly not my idea of a great summer vacation. But the idea of a long trip with my cousin after many years was too attractive to resist. “Yes sure!” I replied. The 3 months before the trip were full of physical preparations & mental dilemmas. Trekking was not so much the fear as high altitude & almost every day I asked myself what possessed me to say yes to a trek which I was mentally not prepared for. The starting point of the trek was 2 days of flight & road travel into the mountains & by that time we had begun to enjoy the cold weather, the nature around & each other’s company. It was a group of fifteen & while some of us were family, the rest were mere acquaintances with whom 2 days were quite e...