Learning Lessons Through Adventures- Ritesh’s Pangarchulla Trek With Thrillophilia
Ritesh was not a regular trekker.
He is a businessman who sells rucksacks and trekking equipment. It is a family business that he never wanted to leave, as his father had always taught him that for great adventures, one needs great support.
Their family business gives that much-needed support.
But, meeting passionate trekkers and adventure enthusiasts almost every single day, around 3 years ago Ritesh suddenly had this urge to go for a backpacking trek. There is a short yet interesting backstory to that—
One mundane morning, while he was just setting up the new arrivals in the shop, a girl came in. She wanted to buy trekking shoes. It was her first time going trekking and she wanted some help regarding what kind of shoe would be best. Curious, he asked what trek it was and she said it was the Sandakphu Trek. After she left, he googled the place and the details of the trek, and his mind was blown away. Such beauty, and such preparations for walking that undulating route….but oh, the views!
Since then, he has not stopped. Yes, the first few treks almost knocked the breath out of him, but he loved the sense of achievement and the relief that comes after completing a trek. It provides a kind of euphoria that the world’s best raves can't.
So, this year, Ritesh planned to go for the Pangarchulla trek. It is considered to be a moderate-difficult level trek and he knew that he had to prepare well. While wondering and searching which would be the best possible way to plan the trip, one of their regular customers arrived. Ritesh knew he worked in Thrillophilia, and he also knew that the company is great at organising treks. He told him about his plan to go to Pangarchulla and the customer immediately gave him the number of one of his friends who was an expert in the niche.
His name was Pradeep. After having a conversation with him about the inclusions and the itinerary, Ritesh confirmed the booking. Pradeep’s attention to detail was so on-point that there was no hassle in understanding the plan, and the entire picture of the journey was clear to him. He was to leave the next month, and Pradeep suggested that he do some particular exercises to keep up with the difficult terrain.
The test of nature
After they met their driver and trek leader at Rishikesh, the group went straight to Joshimath. From there the trek would start from Dhak village. It was Ritesh’s first time trekking in Uttarakhand, and he did not know what to expect.
They had a few stops—Dhak village- Gulling Top- Khullara Top- Kuari Pass- back to Khulara and then finally, to the Pangarchulla summit. Ritesh was truly excited about this adventure, and since the group of trekkers in his batch were mostly experienced, he had a feeling that this experience would be completely different.
The trek started with a bang, the first hour being quite difficult. But as they gained pace and got accustomed to the terrain, the landscapes started to change… from remote settlements to thick forests to meadows surrounded by tall pine and deodar trees. And with the background of the Himalayas, it all seemed too unreal to be true.
On the way, the trek leaders told them about the vegetation here, about the different medicinal plants that grow, and the kinds of birds that can be seen in different seasons. Yes, each season brings its own charm to a place and changes its entire ambience.
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Their camp stays were very comfortable, with clean sleeping bags and all necessary equipment like water supply, first-aid kits, and washroom tents. Also, they had people who cooked healthy food and served it hot to them. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all were delicious, fueling them for the next day.
On the way to the Pangarchulla summit
For Ritesh, the main motive for going on treks or any kind of adventure was much more precious than experiencing thrill. It was about responding to himself and widening his perspective. It enhanced his survival instincts.
The walk to the Pangarchulla summit was harder than he expected. The scenery transformed from green and white to entirely white…it was almost difficult to see. He could only distinguish the sky from the peaks, and the scarcely placed black patches of rocks here and there. After a while, trekking through the powdery snow, he could hear his heartbeat. There was no sweat, but he could feel the waning stamina in his nerves, his legs moving mechanically and his core hurting immensely. He was just following the trek leader, taking turns and steps as he was…
And then, he looked up to the sky once…and there it was! The Pangarchulla summit! He made it!!!
All the pain and hurt were gone. A sense of immense satisfaction and achievement filled his bones.
The team unfurled the Indian flag, and they were all shouting “woohoo” out of excitement. Hearing back the echo of their own voices was the celebration!
That day Ritesh learnt, that the harder the road, the better the reward!
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