I canceled this trek four times over a year and a half. The distance, the days, the sheer uncertainty of it all made me question my limits over and over. Autumn in the Himalayas is supposed to be about crisp air, sharp views, and mountains that look like something out of a travel dream. But the mountain, bless its chaotic soul, decided to serve me rain, fog, and mud that clung to my boots like a needy friend. It was the kind of place where lofty expectations go to die, and I ended up thanking it for that. Day one was the drive—four hours …
When the Bucket List Wasn’t a Place, but a Feeling
I thought I wanted the Valley of Flowers. What I really wanted was to sit on a damp rock outside a crumbling homestay, a dog curled beside me, clouds playing hide and seek with the mountains—and Hari walking up, placing his arm gently on my shoulder, settling next to me like it was the most obvious thing to do. That moment, more than any meadow or misty summit, is what stayed with me. That was the real bucket list—quiet, unexpected, and wildly alive. I first read about the Valley of Flowers while drenched to the bone on the Bhrigu Lake …
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When the Mountain Let Me Pass
There’s a moment I return to often—not because it was dramatic, but because it stripped me of every idea I had about strength. The Bhrigu Lake trek wasn’t supposed to be hard. The trail notes called it “moderate.” No death-defying ledges. No ice patches. Just a soft, promising trail through pine forests and wide-open meadows. I packed light—on gear and on expectations. But altitude doesn’t care what you pack. Somewhere after the first climb, my breath tightened. Not tired-tight. Something-is-off tight. My legs dragged. My thoughts …
Walking Into the Unknown, Again and Again
Then vs. Now: Same summit, different me. I was bent over, hands on my knees, dragging air into my lungs like it owed me something. My stomach clenched in protest. My feet felt like dead weight. The trail ahead stretched unforgivingly upward, snow-packed and steep. Every part of me screamed to stop, but stopping wasn’t an option. A little over a year apart, I stood at the start of this same trail. Same climb. Same mountains. But I wasn’t the same person. Seven treks in roughly 15 months. That’s the number people get stuck on. “Wow, …
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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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Step by Step: Finding Strength in Weakness on the Trails
When I lace up my trekking boots and step onto the trail, a mix of excitement and nervous energy fills me. Every trek has its own challenges, and by now, I’ve done five treks in just over 10 months. You’d think I’d have it all figured out, but each time, I face the same uphill battles—literally. Steep climbs at high altitudes? They humble me every single time. Add to that my inability to sleep on treks, and it’s a perfect storm that leads to AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Yet, somehow, I keep going back. Why? Because it’s in these struggles …
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