I thought it would fade. That with time, it would dull, shrink, maybe even disappear. But some pains don’t listen to logic. They settle in, uninvited, making a home where I wish they wouldn’t. On my last trek, I told myself I was past it. That I had made peace with not summiting. That the self-doubt I carried wouldn’t weigh me down anymore. But then, as I watched others push ahead with ease, the familiar sting crept back in. It shouldn’t matter, I told myself. I made my choice. I don’t regret it. And yet, the ache lingers. A quiet …
What You Don’t See in the Photos
She looked effortless in the summit picture—arms raised, a wide grin, snow-capped peaks behind her. I double-tapped, then sighed. I had just come back from my own trek, where I felt like the weakest in my group. Where every incline made me question why I was here. Where I cried, not from the view, but from exhaustion and self-doubt. No one posts that part. A week later, I spoke to someone who had done the same trek. “It was brutal,” she admitted. “I almost turned back.” I stared at her, surprised. Her photos had told a different …
Prisoner to the Elements Against Which I Have No Defense
I thought I had prepared. Layers upon layers of fleece and down. Gloves thick enough to smother my fingers into numbness. A balaclava that left only my eyes exposed. Yet, none of it mattered. At 12,000 feet, the wind didn’t just cut through me—it claimed me. It howled through the valley, slapping my face raw, seeping into every gap I had failed to seal. I tried to walk faster, to generate warmth, but the air was thin, and my lungs had turned against me. Every breath felt like drinking through a straw. This wasn’t the first time I had …
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Kuari Pass Trek: A Journey Beyond the Summit
The Kuari Pass Trek in Uttarakhand has long been hailed for its grandeur—the majestic Himalayas stretching across the horizon, the serenity of oak forests, and the vast meadows that unfold before your eyes. The sight of Mt. Nanda Devi, so rare and beautiful, never fails to captivate the soul. Every day on the trail feels like a fresh adventure, a story waiting to unfold, making this trek unforgettable. October vs. January: A Tale of Two Treks I’ve walked the Kuari Pass trail twice now. The first time, in October, I pushed through the …
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Chasing My Own Horizon: Lessons from Five Himalayan Treks
My first trek happened on a whim. I barely knew how to pack a rucksack, let alone survive chilly nights in a tent. It was so new that I thought the biggest challenge would be the steep climb. Turns out, the real hurdle was figuring out if I could live with just the basics: a few warm layers, a sleeping bag, and the will to keep putting one foot in front of the other. The trek organizers handled meals and tents. That left me with the essential responsibility: moving forward, even when my lungs felt like they’d gone on strike. It’s still …
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Strength in the Struggle: My First Trek
The sun was still low in the sky, but the weight of the day was already pressing on me. I had only been hiking for about an hour, but it felt like my legs had been in motion for days. Every step was a challenge, each one dragging my body further into the mountain’s relentless incline. My lungs were tight, my breath shallow. I looked up at the peak—a faraway dot that seemed just out of reach, taunting me with its unattainable promise. I stopped for a moment, hands on my knees, gasping for air. The heat from the sun beat down on me, and the …
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