Ah, the misadventures of a forgetful trekker! While the sun was rising in Mumbai one fine day in February 2020, I found myself in a train from Ahmedabad to Mumbai, delayed by two agonizing hours. Panic had set in; I had another train to catch to Haridwar from LTT Kurla station at 8:30 am. The…

Amidst the sea of snow, the mountains of Gulmarg in Kashmir stood like majestic giants, draped in white cloaks, accessorized with green pine trees full of snowflakes. And there I was, standing at the foothill of an intimidating slope, contemplating about one last run down after a day of exhausting endeavors on the kiddie hills.…

The zigzag mountain route resembled a muddy obstacle course, now murkier, battered by the relentless rain of the previous night. I was seated in a shared Sumo Taxi with five other souls as our emotions oscillated between anxiety and shared camaraderie in sync with the bumpy ups and downs. The seasoned driver appeared slightly overwhelmed…