I trek for a living. Every month, I spend seven to 10 days in the Himalayas. And I have done this for the last 10 years. The one question I get asked most often is — what draws me to the mountains? I am also offered options to choose from — must be a good escape/a chance to rejuvenate/to stay fit... And before I can answer, I am asked the follow-up question — why don’t I just live in the mountains?
Its time — that draws me to the mountains. Time to sit, soak in the moment, eat, talk, read, do things. And still have time to spare. It’s like the romantics say — time stands still. And only then do we acknowledge its existence. We realise there are distinct, well-defined separations between morning, afternoon, evening and night; that they don’t merge. That you can get things done and still relax.
Beyond the last range (Clockwise from top left) Gaurav Punj, the Gaddi sheep, Kuthi village and an open-air breakfast at Khan Pari pass special arrangement
Its people. They draw me to the mountains. The equanimity with which they live their lives. The smile on their faces, as they chat in their verandah under a warm sun on a clear morning, doesn’t lose its intensity when they struggle to get the kitchen fire going during a blizzard. They don’t fight and conquer the mountains, they surrender. And in that lies their bravery, their wisdom, a sense of their place in the scheme of things.
- Trekking: The original way of exploring the mountains — on foot — still holds its charm. Trek alone or with a group, go for easy or a tough trek, a well-known or remote trail — you are bound to have an unforgettable experience. Just follow the basics of trekking — no littering, no loud music, small groups and no packaged food/noodles.
- Homestay: Wherever possible, try to spend at least a night with the local people in their homes, eating with them, talking to them, sharing stories and getting an insight into their way of life. This will tremendously add to the overall experience of your trip and help you transition from tourist to traveller.
- Doing nothing: The toughest thing to do for city people, but worth giving a shot. Stay at a nice place in the mountains, go for an early morning walk, have a relaxed long breakfast, sit with a book in the sun, doze off while reading, have lunch followed by a siesta, a massage or stroll in the market in the evening, early dinner, some more reading and a long undisturbed sleep. Sounds good?
Its balance. The interconnectedness and interdependence of mountains, snows, rivers, meadows, sheep, climate, crops and life. Nature is balance. And when there is balance, there is life. Nature was balanced before humans came into the picture, and when we did, we were incorporated in. We are not discriminated against, as long as we hold our end of the bargain, as long as we co-exist. The illiterate shepherd understands this and lives his life by this rule.
Every trip to the Himalayas is an opportunity to experience time, treat extremes alike, and learn to co-exist. And these are lessons worth reinforcing every month. As to permanently living in the Himalayas, the mountains are in my heart, they are always there.
