CONQUERING THE TRIUND WITHIN
By: Sahaj Shukla
Tags: Hiking, Trekking, Motivation, Triund Trek, Covid 19

Often quoted as tiny paradise, Dharamshala is a place that makes you realize that to understand why some places are worthy laureates of their titles, they must be explored. The shrunken streets amidst the mountains are filled with picturesque graffiti paintings sending on random abandoned walls. Brooks trickle down the mighty mountains glimmering beneath the sun. Bazaars with thatched roofs offering Tibetan and Punjabi dishes alike. Who would’ve thought that these cultures could marry?

Perhaps it’s all in the place. On one end, Tibetan missionaries exhibit utmost patience and delicacy in making handicrafts. The pillars of vipaasna and equanimity stand like the ginormous pillars of Norbulingka monastery and the handicrafts exhibit the simplicity in intricacies. Perhaps the whole monastery is a serene exhibition of the principles of Buddhism.

Walking up a few miles to Mcleodganj , one reaches the remarkable temple of Galu Devi. This temple is a safe haven for those wanting to challenge the might of Triund. I remember visiting the temple with a faint heart. With a heavy voice I murmured “we might not be able to get there today either.” It had been 6 tiring and yet inspiring days at the Chinmaya mission’s camp to discuss Ram, in the heights of Mcleodganj. The camp ended with a Maha Yagna at the foothills of Himalaya. And then began our journey to conquer Triund. The first day, was a huge failure. The trek was closed because of heavy snowfall. And yet, we were happy to have witnessed snowfall for the first time in our lives. We went back to the ashram tired and dozed off almost immediately. I remember waking up the next morning with devesh bhaiya’s enthusiastic voice saying “I hope you’re both ready for today? Triund waits for us to conquer its summit. I looked at chaitanya and he looked back at me. We weren’t ready for this. We had doubts in our minds. There were virtually no chances. With the temperature almost kissing the zilch point. Devesh bhaiya couldn’t hold his grin and exclaimed, look the sun is out, there’s hope. We succumbed to the enthusiasm and half-heartedly started our uncertain journey. We climbed up to Galu Devi because we wanted to trek as little as we could. A little though, wasn’t too little. We climbed up 4 kilometers. And I had given up on my hopes. Honestly, deep down I wanted the trek to be closed. I had my muscles pulled and I couldn’t walk anymore. To my surprise the trek was open, I was afraid and happy at the same time.

I could do what I dreamt of and I didn’t have the strength or energy to do it. I walked about a hundred meters before deciding to give up. I had to walk 8 kilometers more. It seemed hilariously impossible. Chaitanya and Devesh bhaiya continued. About five minutes later, I wondered if this is what I came for. I planned for this for almost two months and there I was sitting down doing nothing. The middle-aged hikers almost taunted me with their raised eyebrows and unwelcoming grin. Also, I had to wait for my fellow trekkers to come down for about five hours and listen to their stories and regret it for a lifetime. It was clear. I couldn’t just sit. I started to walk. Not knowing how far I’ll reach. It was almost like fighting a lost battle. But I walked my ground. A little by little. One step at a time. I met two travelers who offered me water and I almost gulped down their entire bottle. The only bottle they carried for the two of them. My apologetic eyes looked up for considering showing great remorse but I was welcomed with a warm smile. “We often do this, don’t worry. We won’t be thirsty. My cousin and I often come here.” A glass of water and unexpected warmth, pushed me a little further, the beauty of divine valley, a little. And so, a little by little I pushed through. A little more each time. I could see Devesh bhaiya and Chaitanya at a distance or so I thought. And I yelled their names. But they sat right next to me and were surprised. I was welcomed with a hug. Their expressions said it all.

Devesh bhaiya and I

They didn’t expect me to make it so far. But I had. I had caught up with people that left me behind at the start. Perhaps, it’s never too late to start I said to myself. I was pumped with hope. A little more now. There were times I almost gave up again. I met fellow travelers who were descending after their triumph. They’d all lie to me. It’s just five minutes from now. Probably three. And it was about an hour that this continued. I was furious. Why would they lie to me? Finally, I could see the summit. I couldn’t move a step. Almost paralyzed. I almost forgot walking. I couldn’t stand either. It felt like I wanted to tumble down after having come all the way. Success seemed futile and I was caught up in a Kafkaesque circle. I dragged my way up. And reached the summit. I couldn’t believe I had done it. I still cannot wrap my head around how I trekked 8 kilometers when I never had the strength to walk a hundred meters? Chaitanya and Devesh bhaiya had already reached a few minutes before I did and they ordered Maggie for me too. The warm Maggie was nothing short of a deserved reward. I looked down from the summit. It felt like Triund applauded my victory with a little snowfall. Have I conquered Triund? Or have I conquered myself I wondered. Perhaps success begins right after our limitations. It’s a matter of those few steps when you feel you’d never make it but then you do. In a day, I had made memories to inspire me for life. I thought to myself as I munched on looking down at what was the most beautiful scenery I had ever seen. Perhaps that day, I deserved it.

At the summit