Page 78 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 8 | December - January 2025

The Packing toughened up my grit, tolerance and patience, knowing I’d need
We packed light and effectively, including all necessary all three to survive the journey. This trip was going to be legendary,
medications. We took very dependable shoes and windproof gear to one for the books and I was determined to make it count.
make the journey comfortable. We experienced how people live in
higher altitudes (amidst hardships at times) with limited belongings, The Packing
no electricity and scarce warm water – yet they were always filled The essentials include quick-dry, reusable, comfortable clothes,
with joy! trusty trekking shoes, a comfy backpack, quality sunglasses, a buff,
a windcheater, multiple power banks, and a stash of wet wipes (a
Lukla Airport hygiene lifesaver). Snacks were non-negotiable: dry fruits, nuts,
We had a smooth journey despite granola bars, and of course, Snickers because nothing beats a
hearing about how dangerous Lukla chocolate fix at high altitude!
Airport is. I always prayed that we
were safe throughout. We could see Lukla Airport
beautiful mountains throughout The adventure started with landing at Lukla, the world’s most
the ride and had very comfortable dangerous airport – a thrilling, albeit risky, experience. The plan
transportation as we took a helicopter was to helicopter back from Gokyo to Lukla, but nature had other
down. With high-altitude trekking, ideas. Bad weather stranded us in Gokyo, forcing a gruelling two-
the weather is always uncertain, so day descent on foot and horseback – eight hours a day!
we were truly blessed to be able to
make it there and back safely. Accommodations
We booked average accommodations that were “passable” at best. In
Meals the rougher spots, we reminded ourselves to be grateful for having
We had very good food along the a roof at all. Tea houses aren’t exactly luxury stays, and the irony is
way. My favorite was daal bhat and that the higher you go, and the more rest you need, the worse the
Sherpa stew. Local ingredients and a conditions get. By the time we reached Gorakshep near EBC, there
great breakfast helped us start the day weren’t even half-broken sinks anymore for basic hygiene.
well, as we weren’t sure how the meals
would be during the day. To keep our Meals
energy up, we always kept hydrated I loved the food! Tea-house menus
and snacked along the way with Snickers bars. included everything from local
favourites like daal bhaat to pizzas,
Some Perks pastas, fried noodles and even
Packing light and hiring porters made the journey very comfortable. burritos. But the momos were the
We were fortunate enough to take the trek slowly with two days to real MVP – a daily must-have that
acclimatise, which made the trip much more fun. never got old. Each meal came
with tea or coffee. The ginger
ChaetanSaheb (Aek) Singh – Entrepreneur & Educator and mint teas were unbeatable,
“For me, the mountains were a gradual calling. What started off especially knowing they were
as a wild “bucket-list” fantasy snowballed into an unforgettable grown right there in the Himalayan
adventure of a lifetime. Don’t let your bucket list stay a list – turn backyard. For those freezing -10
it into a reality and a memory to cherish. Reaching an altitude of degrees Celsius nights, a hot cup
approximately 5,500 meters on foot was a true “Top of the World” of chocolate and Panjiri-Giriya
experience! Trekking for 13 straight days is no small feat, and I feel became my go-to survival kit. I
incredibly lucky and humbled by it all.” also went full vegetarian for the
trip – a disciplined choice that, in
The Emotions hindsight, was absolutely worth it!
From the spark of this “wild” idea to planning, training and
trekking, the journey was an exercise in presence – breathing, Some Perks
eating, walking, resting and conversing. Even silence became With a private guide and porter, we had the luxury of setting our own
profound. It wasn’t just adrenaline but a deep sense of gratitude pace and stopping for as many photos and videos as we wanted, perfect
that made the EBC trek unforgettable. Each step brought clarity, for soaking in the surroundings. Naturally, I asked a tonne of questions
and in that clarity, I found the courage to challenge myself. Every and picked up a lot along the way. For me, “fully living” each day
step demanded focus, especially on technical terrains. The mental of the journey became more meaningful than simply reaching base
and physical intensity pulled me fully into the moment, leaving camp, which felt more like a checkbox than a true goal.
no space for “what ifs,” only for gratitude and awe. Every day was
unique, every trail revealing new dimensions – not just of the “The magic of the Himalayas is beyond words. I wish everyone
mountains, but of myself. could experience it. Anyone can trek it, no matter your age or
gender. I saw kids as young as 10 and folks in their 70s on the
The Preparation trail—each one was an inspiring reminder that the trail doesn’t
I focused on four physical key areas: Mobility, Balance, Strength, discriminate!”
and Stamina – no shortcuts here. To nail them, I crafted my own
drills and stuck to them for weeks before the trek. Mentally, I To watch Aek’s experience, visit: youtube.com/@asethi

78 | MASALA MAGAZINE DEC 2024-JAN 2025