Page 21 - E- Connect 2021

A JOURNEY WORTH

REMEMBERING

“When you make your hobbies a part of your
experiences, the experiences sure turn out to
ARTICLES be exciting & become unforgettable.”

And I got a chance to do so in the summer of
2019.
Trekking has always been my dearest hobby.
I have done a couple of treks around Pune. But
I always went either with my family or with my
friends. Never did I try much going with a trekking
group or with a different or unknown set of people.
I wanted to do something adventurous before I
turned 21 last year; although not as courageous
as a solo trip. But it had to be something that
as a solo trip. But it had to be something that
would be worth remembering for the rest of my
would be worth remembering for the rest of my
life. Luckily, I had plenty of time in hand due to
life. Luckily, I had plenty of time in hand due to
my vacations & it was time to make a good game
my vacations & it was time to make a good game
plan if I was going to see this through.
plan if I was going to see this through.
So, I took a cue from my favourite movie YJHD &
So, I took a cue from my favourite movie YJHD &
decided to venture out on a Himalayan Trekking
decided to venture out on a Himalayan Trekking
Trip with a group of strangers. This was going to
with a group of strangers. This was going to
be my first ever Himalayan trekking experience.
be my first ever Himalayan trekking experience.
Step 1 - was getting Permission from Parents. An
Step 1 - was getting Permission from Parents. An
all-time Herculean task for most of us surprisingly
all-time Herculean task for most of us surprisingly
turned out to be a cakewalk for me as they agreed
turned out to be a cakewalk for me as they agreed
easily. Step 2 - was Choosing the trek destination
easily. Step 2 - was Choosing the trek destination
– I gathered some information, chose Yuvashakti,
– I gathered some information, chose Yuvashakti,
a popular trekking organisation, went to their
a popular trekking organisation, went to their
office & from the beginner treks, chose one with
office & from the beginner treks, chose one with
Shameeka Bhand
was.
I
did
Manali, Bhrigu Lake it was. I did

it
my gut instinct – Manali, Bhrigu Lake it was. I did Shameeka Bhand

Manali,
Manali,
Lake
Lake
Bhrigu
Bhrigu
not even have an iota of clue who my trek mates
not even have an iota of clue who my trek mates
would be. Step 3 - was the Prepping up for the
would be. Step 3 - was the Prepping up for the
trek. I practiced daily as much as I could. And the
trek. I practiced daily as much as I could. And the
last step - was to pack my backpack. And with all
last step - was to pack my backpack. And with all
this preparation, I was all set for the trek.
On the day of departure, I had just the feeling
that we have on the first day of the school;
Excitement, a bit of nervousness & the curiosity
of exploring a new place & meeting new people.
Being a Train Journey, I reached the station &
started searching for my trek leader & to-be trek
mates. And when I met them, I instantly jelled with
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