Wanderer's Diaries

Part 1- I walked back to the mountains: Year 2011. IIT Kharagpur. Inter IIT cricket tournament. Our team of young players lost to IIT Delhi. We prepared well. We defeated previous champions but we failed to keep the winning momentum going. After the match, I spoke to my ex. Captain Kartik. He was totally disappointed & frustrated. He had seen our progress very closely during the training days and not only Kartik but all IIT Bombay cricket fraternity was holding high hopes from our energetic team. That we could win the series. That we could defeat IIT Delhi and avenge previous years’ loss. But sadly, total disappointment came to their way. So did to me. That scar never healed. Never. Here on CB13 expedition, after 6 years, almost similar situation had arisen. Our team of young mountaineers after putting up a stellar attempt, fell short in reaching the summit. And we were left choiceless and had to turn back leaving last 400 m due to worsening weather conditions an...

Happiness is in as simple things as laying on the seashore watching the oppressor setting beyond oblivion; waves making a gushing sound, tickling the bare feet, and a tiny boat trying hard to stay up deep on the endless blues. The time never stops. It keeps ticking endlessly. Fortunately you have some clarity of what in a bigger picture you wish to do in your live. But sometimes, even though you are pursuing goals with all your hearts and brains, your efforts dont see the outcome you had expected. Not that you lose interest in your passion and start hunting for something new; but in the tug of war that life plays with you, the spark which keeps the fire within burning.. one that puts the propeller in full swing, dulls briefly. The life rebels. Bonds that seem incredibly precious and unbreakable, quakes all of a sudden leaving you in complete bewilderment. The safe harbor that you once anchored to, remains only in the memories. The loss blurs the site of who you really w...

Mt. Elbrus ((left) west summit at 5642 m & (right) east summit at 5621 m) 14 th Aug 2016, 23:30 PM Barrels, Elbrus, Russia 3700 m. It was a moderate warmth inside our Barrel. But outside it was windy and cold. Hazy lights of Garabhashi station just 200 m above our barrels were the primary navigational tool. And in the midst of subzero temperature of -10 degree celsius ( That’s a usual cold on Elbrus at night ), assured 35-40 km/hr wind speeds and possible storm towards the end of the day, Anatoli & I had embarked on Elbrus slopes with just enough clothing layers. We packed light and even dressed not that bulky. Slightly bold but more of a risky decision I thought initially. I had a feeling that I could do this. Training for an expedition doesn’t mean just slogging in gyms and running on long trails. It’s a way of life. A routine as simple as cold water baths helped me deal with the shivers and initial hyperventilating phase on the summit push. It didn't make...