04/05/2026
“A Trek that could have gone wrong.
How one decision changed everything.”
September 2020. Just after lockdown.
Empty mountains. Closed offices. Uncertain rules.
And we chose to attempt one of the toughest expeditions in India — the Kalindi Khal.
Getting permission itself felt like a trek.
From DM offices to forest departments, endless visits, calls, waiting… finally, we got the green signal.
But the real test started after that.
No Nepali porters were available. We had to build a team with local Garhwali porters—most of them had never done Kalindi Khal before. Still, we moved ahead.
Day 2, at Chirbasa—5–6 porters gave up and went back.
We could have cancelled.
We didn’t.
We stayed back. Waited. Called. Convinced.
After 2 days, we rebuilt the team and continued.
At Shweta Glacier (5500m), things got serious.
One participant fell sick—clear signs of AMS and peripheral edema .
Helicopter rescue? Denied. Too high.
Going back? 6 days through rough terrain—not possible.
That night, we didn’t sleep.
We monitored him every hour—oxygen, BP, breathing.
Oxygen cylinders ready. Team alert. Every decision mattered.
By morning, he improved.
We had a choice—turn back or move forward.
We moved forward.
At 4 AM, we pushed for the summit. Step by step.
By 9 AM, we stood at the top—5950m.
But leadership isn’t about reaching the top.
It’s about bringing everyone back safely.
Ration ran out. Two days still left.
So we made a call—we walk out in one push.
No complaints. No excuses.
Leaders walked hungry so others could eat.
14+ hours later, in complete darkness—we reached the road.
Everyone safe. That’s what mattered.
Even today, when I think about that expedition, I don’t remember the summit first.
I remember the decisions, the pressure, the silence of that night, and the responsibility we carried for every single person.
Mountains have a way of showing you who you really are.
