I found a secluded spot on the summit. I sat down in awe of the beauty and grandeur around me. I removed my shoes and socks in respect for the mountains which had allowed me to be there on that day at that particular moment. I opened my eyes wide to take in as much of the nature as I could. And suddenly my heart beat increased. It wasn't due to the exertion for I had prepared well. I felt a drop leave my eye. And before I could understand, my eyes filled up. And then what happened took me by surprise. Tears rolled down my eyes like some floodgates had been opened. I didn't understand what was happening to me. I was sobbing like a small kid. Thankfully I had my sunglasses for I didn't want anyone to know anything because I had no explanation for it. It just happened and then suddenly everything went calm. I sat still, soaking in and wondering at the same time. Was it tears of joy or was it some pent up emotions. Was I overwhelmed with the majestic mountains that stood around me or was it the vast endless meadows that made everything else so insignificant? Or was it my journey from being a fat lazy 34 year old to successfully summiting my first ever trek climb? I do not yet have all the answers. But I do know that in that moment, I felt my entire being. I felt both significant and insignificant at the same time. For a second, my entire life flashed in front of my eyes and then I forgot about everything and everyone else. I was just there breathing and my heart beating. I knew, at this time, in this moment, on this particular rock, I was meant to be. It wasn't my plan. It was as if all of my life; I had been slowly inching towards being here. It was the most beautiful moment of the most beautiful day of my life. I finally had begun to understand myself. I truly felt a connection with myself and my surroundings. I wasn't anymore a zombie like I often am. I wasn't the practical and diplomatic me. For the first time, in many, many years, I felt excited and calm all at the same time. I was both happy and sad. I felt a multitude of emotions which I thought were long dead within me. I felt alive. I knew I had changed for good. And I knew it wasn't the climax. The journey had just begun.
I wasn't on the summit of a large mountain peak. I wasn't even on the summit of a tough trek. I was at 12000 feet of a relatively easy but beautiful trek. We call it Dayara Bugyal. We all have our own Everest to climb. For the time, this was my Everest. It took a lot of resolve and hard work. The preparation took me out of my comfort zone. The injuries made me question my decision. The insecurities made me give up a couple of times. But in the end, my love for nature and mountains in particular, triumphed. And as I sit here back in my office, I can only thank my stars that I was able to see what I saw. That, I was able to feel what I felt. That, I was able to experience what I experienced. And that I am one of those very few who caught such a lucky break on their first ever trek. Wide expanse of snow, beautiful crisp mountain views, charming forest trails, blooming flowers, beautiful weather and a group of amazing trek mates.
Our journey started with all of us assembling at our pick up point. We were unaware of the treat we were in for. We didn’t expect the strangers sitting around us to turn into really good friends in a short span of 96 hours. Some of us had already formed our bonds by the time we reached our base camp in Raithal. Solo trekkers didn’t feel solo anymore. The groups amalgamated and no one could make out who came with whom. While some enjoyed the chilly weather, a few dreaded the idea of -5 degrees. Some came for the photographs, while some to challenge themselves. Everyone had different expectations from the trek, but what was common was our love for the mountains. I never expected so much of variety and commonality at the same time. We were a group that had teenagers, students, professionals and businessmen. We were a group of crazy friends, solo treker, families, cousins, and even a father son duo. We were all from the west, the east, the north and the south. We were all so seemingly different and yet so similar. We didn’t know that the next ninety six hours were going to be so much fun and at the same time will change us for good. It ended up being so much more than that. Those 4 days took us through the very best of what nature had to offer. We got to see the most beautiful sights of our life. We got to drink the freshest water and the tastiest food. We saw the night sky in it full glory with millions of stars which is impossible in a city. We saw not one, not two but three shooting stars. We experienced snowfall, rainfall and hailstorm all within 2 hours of a single day. We got to see the beautiful snow capped peaks from up close while we walked on the beautiful green meadows. We made our own path as we walked on knee deep snow and then slid on the fresh snow while coming down. It tested our resolve and then woke up the child within us. The kids showed maturity while the adults relived their childhood. We all ended up being there for each other when it matter the most. The mountains brought out the very best in us and made us realize how significant and insignificant we are at the same time.
