PREFACE - How I started Trekking.
It was in 1996 that I went to Himachal Pradesh in north India with family and relatives, and there I did one day trekking in the mountains. I enjoyed it very much and told my brother in law that if any one is going for such trekking then to let me know. In 1997 my brother in law informed me about a trip going to Kailas Mansarovar., and the China government had just opened the route for this trip. I was not aware at that point that it had great religious significance. I assumed that was in the mountains and would give me an opportunity to enjoy walking there. That is how I joined Kailas Mansarovar trip, which turned out to be quite different from what I had imagined.
In 2003, a doctor living in Liverpool, but visiting Pune in India mentioned to friends that he would like to do trekking in Nepal. My nephew was present there and suggested that I would be interested and that he contact me. We echanged a few emails, and met in 2004 with Dhiru who also showed keen interest. The doctor decided to drop out for various reasons, but Dhiru and I were firm and we did the Everest trek. Because of the uncertain security situation in Nepal we both wavered at times but ultimately made it.
Then in 2005 I was approached by a freind that he would like to go for trekking and we planned Gangotri, Gaumukh and Tapovan trekking in that year. We were joined by two others from India.
In 2007 Nirmal, who played golf with me, told me about Makalu Base Camp trek they had planned and were looking for one more person. I agreed to join and we did Makalu in April / May of that year.
Later the same year, one day I gave lift to my neighbour who was walking home and he mentioned that he was training for Mount Kilimanjaro. I immediately said that I would be interested in joining and in September I did that trek.
In 2009 the same group, with whom I did Kilimanjaro, organised a trek in Himachal Pradesh in India. The trek to Beas Kund was in support of a charity and I did that trek.
I had met Shailesh in Pune after my Makalu trek, and at the beginning of 2010 he emailed me saying they were doing Annpurna Circuit and asked me if I would like to join them and I immediately agreed. Later in the year I had a few medical issues and had to spend some time in hospital. But it was nothing to stop me from trekking. While the family were not very happy with my decision, I went for the trek and completed it successfully.
My trek report for the last trek says Ultimate Trek - and that was my intention when I went for that trek. At my age that would be the right decision to take. But after the way I completed the trek, I feel that I can possibly do one more trek.
In 2012 I did two treks inspite of saying that 2010 was my Ultimate Trek.....and I am hoping these want be my last treks.
I never planned any of my treks myself.....the treks just happened coincidentally. ....and I hope that another trek happens in the same way.
I hope my trekking inspires others to undertake such trekking. Nature has given us so much beauty and we do not appreciate the same. The beauty on the mountains, specially the Himalayas, is uncomparable and one has to go there to appreciate it.
The Bill Board in Nepal says "Never Say Good bye to Himalayas."...and perhaps I should not say good bye either.
Jayant Doshi
