Scaling the mountains and looking over the snow clad peaks, every climber thinks of capturing that feeling for eternity. Even if trekking to the Himalayas is a distant dream, it takes trekkers who have climbed the mountains to motivate and encourage other trekkers and thrill seekers to pursue their goal earnestly. And what better way to start planning this trip than on National Mountain Climbing Day, which is celebrated on August 1. The day aims to encourage people to pursue mountaineering as a recreational activity while also emphasizing the importance of gaining knowledge and skills to ensure safe and enjoyable experiences.
Mapusa-based Durgadas Parab is the only Goan who is a member of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). He climbed the Himalayas for the first time as a participant in 1989 and since then he has been a guiding force for other Goans in reaching the icy heights. Durgadas has been a part of the Zonal Himalayan Expedition Progamme (ZHEP) since 1996 and was made leader in 2002 at the programme in Pune that is associated with IMF. After founding Eco Treks Goa in 2008, he began with the Trek in the Himalaya programme in 2010 with a batch of 35 members to the Himalayas. Eco Treks Goa recently organised its 17th Trek in the Himalaya, in the month of May 2024 and 35 participants were awarded their certificate this month.
“Whatever I am is because of the mountains. I was an athlete in my younger days and I was very competitive. I didn’t want anyone else going ahead of me but the mountains taught me everything. When you look at the mountains, you come to know how small you are. It is like a pilgrimage to climb the mountain and it is gives you the urge to carry on. Fitness is a must for taking on this arduous trek,” says Durgadas.
In the last 35 years of his treks to the Himalayas, there has been a lot of change in the gear as well as the expense for the trek. “When I started my first trek in 1989, I must have spent around Rs 5000 to Rs 6000 but now the same journey will cost a minimum of Rs 50,000. However, the gear has upgraded like anything. You can now carry 5 litres oxygen in a can similar to a room freshner. It is easier to source mountaineering gear too,” says Durgadas who has completed 44 expeditions to the Himalayas.
Durgadas also trained his son Vrishabh with trekking trips and he was the youngest Goan at the age of eight to go on a trek to the Himalayas on May 16, 2008. However, since then the IMF have changed the eligible minimum age to 12 years, due to the physical and mental demands of the trek.
Prof Ramita Gurav has been a trekker for many years. She has been to six treks including Deo Tibba Base Circuit, Shirigan Tungu base trek, Mani Mahesh base trek, Sour Tal trek, Seri Frozen Lake trek and Chandra Tal trek since 2012. “I love the feeling of being up in the mountains. It makes you feel at peace and at home. It is also a great learning experience as you realised that you are nothing in front of the magnificent nature. It humbles you as a person and ground reality and a sense of being rooted. It is also challenging to complete the journey. Instead of looking at the big mountain ahead of you, you should achieve small goals. This lesson of trekking is true in our life too. Climbing these mountains also gives a chance to admire the beautiful scenery and sleep under the starry and often snowing skies,” says Ramita.
Living at sea level in Goa, it is a challenge for Goans to get acclimatised at greater heights. With prime focus on fitness, Ramita advises what to do best to complete a climb, “Most importantly, follow discipline and listen to your leader. They are well trained and they guide you properly. It is best to travel light and instead of carrying more sets of clothes, you can repeat the clothes over the days which makes your luggage light. However, don’t skip on the essential warm thermal wear as it should be clothes that keep you warm and dry fast too. Good shoes are extremely important for a comfortable climb and keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water.”
A general physician by profession, Dr Shradha Surlakar was bitten by the trekking bug quite recently and she was enthralled with the idea of climbing Mount Everest. She completed the trek with her 14-year-old son, Shaurya by her side as it helped in the mother-son bonding on an exhilarating climb to the base of Shirgan –Tungu this May. “This was my first experience and it was really good and it leaves you completely mesmerised. The family that I made there with the other 30 members of the group was awesome. There were a lot of hurdles but they made it look so simple for us that it made the trek completely a smooth running,” says Dr Shradha from Porvorim.
With the excitement to make it to the Everest in May, besides her daily yoga practice, Dr Shradha started practising walking uphill too. She started walking in January apart from planning and getting her gear in place. “Once we reached the base camp, we were welcomed with a refreshing drink at Shuru followed by acclimatization walk to Sharvani Devi Temple. It was a great experience and I am looking forward to trekking on the mountains again,” says Dr Shradha.
To truly understand the significance of this day, one can participate in trekking or hiking sessions and can even relish the adventure and excitement of scaling mountains.