Ishan Sharma and the Mt. Frey Experience

“Never take a mountain for granted” – Ishan Sharma

Not many know about Mt. Frey, but those who do, know that this is one of the most beautiful and difficult mountains to climb in India. A beauty in the Himalayas, Mt. Frey was a dream peak to climb for Ishan, someone who knows no limits when it comes to adventures in life. His story with regard to climbing Mt. Frey is an inspiring tale to those who aspire to be mountaineers. And that’s exactly what he shares with us… a story to inspire!

Mount Frey is a difficult mountain to climb. Tell us about your experience.

It was a very varied experience. When we say we are climbing a mountain, we end up thinking about that one instant when we reach the summit, look at the view and forget how we got there. The journey was a mixture of different kinds of experiences and once on top of Frey, it was absolutely worth it.

Technically, From Chaurikhang, back to Chaurikhang it took us four days.

DAY – 1 The first day was called Load Ferry. So, Load Ferry essentially means that you carry your load like, food, utensils, cylinders. All of us had to carry around 15kgs of load, per person till the base camp of Frey, where we left our luggage. That day it was snowing really bad and the weather was not favourable for Load Ferrying at all, but we had to do what was planned.

DAY – 2 The next day we took our personal luggage, just the essentials that we required for the next two days. Along with that we carried some extra items like, ready to eat noodles, packed food, chicken and some utensils. Part of the things we carried were our stuff, part of it was kitchen equipment and tents. We reached the camp at Frey on the day two by the afternoon and we did nothing during the evening.

DAY – 3 We started around 2 am on the third day. This was the day we reached the summit and then came back by 3 pm. So, that was around 11-12 hours of mountaineering. After that we were too tired to go down and the weather was not favourable. So, we spent the night again at the camp of Frey.

DAY – 4 On the fourth day, we woke up early and had to Load Ferry again. We had consumed all the food, but we still had utensils and other things to carry. And then we made it back to Chaurikhang.

How different was Mount Frey from the other mountains you have climbed? What are your dream peaks to climb, like every mountaineer has one?

Mt. Frey was a very technical mountain, unlike anything I’ve done in the past. The gradient of climbing was also much higher. Mt. Frey was very rocky and the amount of snow was very intense. There were moments when my legs, up till my waist were covered in fresh snow and if you don’t take out your legs properly, chances are you will fracture your legs. I’d never experienced that before.

Mt. Frey was the No.1 on my “To climb list”. There is a story behind this. So, back in 2015 when I completed my Basic Mountaineering Course, Salwat sir (Team GBL) had already done his basic course by then and he had told me about this beautiful mountain called Mt. Frey. Till then I wanted to climb the Everest like any other mountaineering aspirant, but in 2015, during my basic course, I’d just sit at the camp and look at Mt. Frey. From that time on, Mt. Frey was the most beautiful mountain I’d ever seen. In fact in 2019 when I decided to do my Advance Mountaineering Course, the applications for Frey were not available. One of the main reasons why I applied in Himalayan Mountaineering Institute again was so that I could look at Frey again.

There is a very beautiful mountain in the Swiss Alps called Matterhorn. I put it No.2 on the list of the most beautiful mountains after Mt. Frey. Before I climb Everest or any other mountain, my heart would be at Matterhorn.

What were your thoughts when you were about to start the climb to Mt. Frey?

I was very excited. I was reminding myself constantly that I’ve worked very hard to get here. Another thing was, I kept telling myself that the next two days, I will remember for the rest of my life. I could remember it for two reasons, either I would make a great excuse or I would make a great story. I get to choose how I remember it and I choose to make a great story.

What were your thoughts after reaching the summit?

I thought I will go on top of Frey and start crying and my tears would freeze mid-way. But nothing of that sort happened. When I got to the summit, it was definitely a satisfying feeling, but it wasn’t like the way anybody would anticipate. It was very different because when you’re actually at the summit, you realize that it is just half done. Going up is optional and coming down is mandatory. Yes, there was a sense of satisfaction and a sense of gratitude, but when I reached on top, I was not in that zone wherein I was shedding tears of joy.

However, for the first time in my life I got to see Mt. Everest. There are many other ways to see the Everest, but I saw it from another peak. For example, there is a Micro-light plane from Kathmandu that goes around Everest and comes back and you can see the Everest from the sky. You can also view Everest from the Everest base camp, but looking at Everest from another mountain that you just climbed is a bonus, especially after around 11-12 hours of climbing. I told myself that if I ever see Everest, I’ll see it in worthy light. The first time I saw the Everest, I was on top of Mt. Frey.

Any problems or dangers that you faced during the climb?

Absolutely! So, there is a thing called “Anchoring,” that is, you either tie a rope around a big rock or around a natural anchor like a tree, but there aren’t any trees at that altitude. Or you use technical equipments that will hold the rope. So at one point, we had tied our rope around a very big rock and around ten of us successfully used that rope to climb up and climb down. There were three people who faced trouble. There was this one guy from the Army and as he was getting down, that huge boulder slipped and it was about to almost topple him. If not kill him, it would cause him permanent damage. It just missed him by a few inches and since his entire weight was on the rock, he was weightless at that point. He could barely manage to save himself. There were other two also who were dependent on the rope, but they managed to be safe. But this was an incident where if anybody would be hurt, at that altitude, there was no scope of rescue. We had come a far way from Chaurikhang.

Frey, like I said is a very rocky peak. And because of the snow, the rock kind of gets covered by it. So it is difficult to pick the rock. There were moments we had to rock climb and fix-rope. There were moments when I was rock climbing and I could feel that the rock is about to fall and if it would fall, the person behind me would get hit. So I had to make sure that the rock doesn’t fall. And I think even the others ensured that, but even that could’ve been extremely dangerous.  

Now that you look back on the experience. How different is the feeling now compared to then?

Very different. At that moment I couldn’t digest it, but now when I think about it, I’ve digested it partially. I know that it was once in a lifetime experience. I was really lucky to get passage to Frey top and back. When I look back now, I realise that there are so many things we got exposure to. It was so cold there and we lived in a place where there was absolutely nothing else. During the advanced course training, we lived in the campus where batches would come and instructors would be familiar faces. Here things were very different. There was no civilisation around us and the experiences varied. People kept getting stuck in fresh snow and the wind was so intense that there were moments that we had to wake up in the middle of the night and hold the tent, so that it doesn’t fly off.

Was there any point during the climb where you felt like you might not be able to make it? What kept you motivated to keep going?

One of the criterias for climbing Mt. Frey was that the basic course had to be done recently, but I’d done it far back in the day. So I thought I wouldn’t go, but one hour before it started, the instructors told me that I can do it and that I had to pack up my stuff immediately. Hence I was going through a turmoil of emotions throughout.

After the second day’s Load Ferry, I was so fatigued. It had never happened in my life before… I just wanted to lie down and do nothing. One of my friends came up to me and told me that I had “Glacieritis” I don’t even know if it’s a real thing! He probably made it up. But that scared me at that time because I didn’t want to fall sick on the mountain, so I immediately got up. This was one such moment when I genuinely wanted to just lie down and stay like that, but what kept me going was when he told me that I was suffering from a particular problem.

Any tips for those who aspire to climb Mt. Frey?

Not just Mt. Frey, but any other mountain for that matter. Never take a mountain for granted and not just Mt. Frey, but if your preparation is less, you shouldn’t do it. Do not wait for the odds to be in your favour, but instead make sure that the odds are in your favour. So, I’d just say that know what you’re signing up for. Yes, best news comes after the hardest climbs.

Can you tell us something interesting about Mt. Frey that you learnt while you were there?

Mt. Frey is named after a famous mountaineer named George Frey. It is believed that George Frey was on a mission to climb Frey along with Tenzing Norgay, but before they started, they got into an argument. George Frey with confidence did not listen to the advice of Tenzing Norgay to put on his crampons and eventually fell and died. Legend has it that George Frey’s Ice axe and crampons are still lying at the base of Mt. Frey.

If you wish to go on a trek or a camp anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com

ISHAN SHARMA AND HIS EXPERIENCE COMPLETING THE ADVANCE MOUNTAINEERING COURSE – AN INTERVIEW

If the sky’s the limit, then we have just not tried enough.

We all aspire to achieve something big someday. Be it wanting to be an engineer, doctor, entrepreneur or something less common like a mountaineer. One thing that bounds all these aspirations together is hard work and sheer determination. If you’ve got the combination of these two inside of you, nothing can stop you from reaching the zenith of success.

One such mountaineer who knows no limits is Ishan Sharma, who recently completed his Advance Mountaineering Course. From the difficulties, technicalities and the inspirations that made this a wholesome experience for Ishan, he shares with us exactly that… An experience of a lifetime!

How to prepare for the course? How would you say your preparations were?

The preparations for me were mostly two things – 1. Definitely physical preparation which is getting in shape for what’s in store. As I’d already completed my Basic Mountaineering Course, I knew what level of fitness was expected. I had  been doing Yoga since the past six months, but before that, last year I’d run a 40 km marathon. I wasn’t sure if Yoga would be enough, but it turned out it was. 2. Mental preparation for me was getting in the zone, which was accepting that it was going to be very challenging, but knowing that it would be worth it at the end of it. There was a lot of technical preparations involved as well. For the advanced course, technical preparations are very important. One thing I practised the most was knot-making, which is essentially the right use of ropes. YouTube helped me with learning knot-making.

What is the prerequisite to an Advanced Mountaineering Course?

India is blessed to be a country which has beautiful mountains, at the same time it has a crazy amount of support from the Government of India. Essentially it’s the Ministry of Defence that supports these mountaineering courses. Right after Mount Everest was first climbed till the summit, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru thought that there should be lots of mountaineers in the country, so they have these courses in these specific institutes in India. There are around 6-7 institutes in India now that offer these courses. The prerequisite to the Advance Mountaineering Course is to have an Alfa Grade in your Basic Mountaineering Course.

What is different in a Basic Mountaineering Course and an Advanced Mountaineering course, mentally and physically?

So, in the Basic Mountaineering Course they give you an introduction. They will tell you about the equipment required. They will also tell you about, say you’re falling off a mountain, they will blatantly tell you that chances are you will die. But these are the certain ways you can use to probably save yourself. They will teach you techniques like self-arrest and familiarize you with the mountain. But considering that there are people who are doing this for the first time, they ensure that the confidence is maintained. For me this was the difference – In an advance course, since I’d brushed up on everything I’d learnt, I was confident. They do give us a run-through of the basic course and then they build up the more advance techniques. After the completion of the basic course, you can climb mountains, mostly under the supervision of an expert. But the completion of the advance course will enable you to not only climb mountains by yourself, but also supervise other mountaineers. So they give you that much of an exposure.

What inspired you to take up mountaineering?

Back in 2012, I’d visited Darjeeling with my parents and somebody told me that I can see Mt. Kanchenjunga from there. At that point I really didn’t care about mountaineering, but I wanted to see the mountain. Because of it being too cloudy, I couldn’t see anything. I was really pissed. I told myself, “Forget Kanchenjunga, I’ll see Mt. Everest.” I then started researching on Everest and realized that it’s a different world altogether. The views you get from there or the fact that the ears get so dry there that people end up coughing so much that they end up breaking their ribs. Another interesting fact that I read was that, here when I’m breathing, I’m getting 100% of oxygen in one breath. There in Everest, we have to take 3 breaths to equate one breath because there is so less oxygen available at that altitude. I don’t know why these things inspired me, I think that was the beginning. The more I read about it, I more I felt like I should get into mountaineering.  

What are the few challenges you faced while training for an Advanced Mountaineering Course, and what are some you faced during the course?

Before the start of the course, there really weren’t that many challenges. It was just, making time from my daily work schedule to practice and train myself for the course. During the course, everything was a challenge. But what was really challenging was to constantly have faith in myself. Especially in that environment, there are 50-odd people who have done similar courses like the basic one, also India is a country where people have this mentality where if they don’t know anything, they constantly undermine the others. So if you’re not confident with yourself, you can easily be undermined by the others. When you’re doing a course like the Advance Mountaineering Course, you do things that are very difficult and if you do them half-heartedly, then you don’t give it your best.

What does a day in an Advanced Mountaineering Course look like?

The day there is pretty simple. The major things that happen are pertaining to the course. The courses are divided into two sections –

1. In Darjeeling, where theoretical training or rock-climbing is taught. 2. The mountains, where we trek for 4 days and we reach a point which is completely disconnected from civilisation.

So at this point, It involves :

  1. Waking up at 5am because in that altitude you cannot sleep a lot. For men there are no toilets there, so you have to find a boulder behind which you take a dump. Also, you have to make sure that you do not use too much toilet paper because there are others who will need it and you have to save toilet paper for the rest of the day.
  2. We then have to wear our snow-boots. They are essentially 3 kgs each and wearing them takes 20 mins.
  3. After this we had our food and then we head to the training programme. Most of the days it involves going to a glacier, doing a half-an-hour hike.
  4. Then we had a one hour exercise to go to a lake and getting water to the base camp, which was used to make food.
  5. This was followed by a few more classes, then dinner and then sleep.
  6. But then again, you have to ensure that if it’s too windy, your tent doesn’t fly off or if there is too much snow accumulated on top of the tent, to shake the tent so that the snow falls down. So that’s a day in the course.    

What would you say was the best moment/best part of the entire 28 days training?

It was actually very painful to choose one but I think it was Badakhana. So usually we are given the same type of food everyday. The usual, healthy food consisting of dal, rotis and everything. After the training is complete, there is day day called “Badakhana” That’s almost after 14 days of eating the same type of food. Badakhana usually has Malai kofta, Kaju Rice, Puri and Aalu. You might think that this is regular food, but people who are out there, away from all this, that day was a delight.

What kept you motivated throughout the course?

The Principal, Vice Principal and the Instructors of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute are incredible. You know these patriotic movies where all cadets are asked to assemble in a place and a motivating speech is given? So that happened with us periodically. The Principal would sit in Darjeeling and we would be at the area called Chaurikhang. Trough walkie-talkies he would talk to us, every once in a while. That kept our spirits high, so not just me, but I think everybody got motivated through these talks. Besides that, I think we tend to learn a lot through these experiences. For me, one such learning was that no matter how difficult the days are, I knew that they would come to an end if I keep walking. And that end would make me feel proud of what I’ve achieved.

What will you say to those who aspire to take up this course in the future?

For the basic one I’d say that you should be fully aware of what you’re signing up for. Because people who are unaware of this tend to struggle more. Also remember that one day it will get over, provided you do not give up halfway through it. Intense experiences like these are the ones that teach us a lot. For the people trying for the advance course, make sure you do not compromise on your preparations and the better prepared you are, the more you can learn.

If you wish to go on a trek or a camp anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com

Top 8 Trekking Foods and Meals

We all love food, but eating while on a trek is a little trickier than it seems. While trekking, we need to keep in mind our stamina and how much we can carry without any spoilage or spillage. It isn’t just about the fact that you have to eat so that you stay active and energetic throughout the trek, but it is also about the fact that you enjoy what you eat. Food is not just food, but an emotion to many. So why compromise on taste when you are trekking? Don’t you worry, here are the top 8 foods and meals that you can carry while on a trek and still enjoy eating them.

  1. Instant Oatmeal

              Be it Quaker Oats or Saffola Oats, Indian market has quite a few of these magic foods. They are not only healthy and easy to carry in your backpack, but cooking them is hassle-free and quick. And if you are worried about the taste, don’t be! From Chinese flavored oats to Indian masaledar oats, there is a wide range of tasty flavors to choose from. Oatmeal is packed with B vitamins and manganese and are a great source of carbs. Try choosing the right oatmeal by reading the ingredients. Avoid the ones that contain added sugar as they are unhealthy for trekking or any activity that requires one to have high stamina.

2. Powdered Milk

            Dairy products are a big no for trekkers and backpackers. Dairy products usually need refrigeration and can get spoiled very easily. But powdered milk contains almost the same amount of nutrients that fresh milk might contain. Like fresh milk, powdered milk is a great source of protein, calcium and potassium. As Indians, we love our chai and powdered milk is a bonus if you want to drink chai on the go. Carrying them in your backpacks is easy as they are powdered and hence, dry. Remember your childhood when your mom used to tell you how healthy drinking milk is? Well, a trekker can apply that while trekking too with this product.

           

3. Dried Fruits

Fresh fruits are juicy and yummy, but on treks, they are perishable and sticky. Dried fruits are healthy and can be stored for a long time. Dried fruits are rich in nutrients like fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and carbs. Especially raisins are said to contain resveratrol that is very good for heart health. Dried fruits are a great snack option for trekkers who are needed to eat less, but often. These can also be sprinkled all over your bowl of oats so that your meal is not only yummy, but also pleasing to the eyes.

4. Protein Bars

                   Proteins are great for your muscles and take a long time to digest, hence keeping you full and off the pain of hunger. Protein bars have a long shelf-life and do not need refrigeration. Also, are you vegan? Then do not worry because there are a few companies that make vegan protein bars, just make sure you check the ingredients before purchasing. Like the name of the product suggests, these are high in protein and are made to please your palate.

5. Preserved Meats

              If you are a meat lover and eating vegetarian food makes you feel incomplete, you can opt for preserved meat. Salami and pepperoni are taste great and have good shelf-life. These meats are low in moisture and high in sodium content. But like any processed foods, they can be harmful to the health if eaten too often. Hence consume them in less numbers and you are good to go!

6. Poha (Flattened Rice)

                 Poha is one of the main breakfast dishes for us Indians. Some like it with spices and peanuts while some prefer it soaked in milk. For trekking, it is easy to soak poha in the powdered milk you mix with water. Avoid adding sugar because like I mentioned before, sugar might give you instant energy, but it is not healthy while on treks as it can slow you down.

7. Sprouts

                Sprouts like green grams, horse grams, etc. are again a great choice of snacks while hiking or backpacking. Even as children we were forced to eat sprouts by our parents for its nutritional value. They are rich in nutrients like vitamins, C, A and K, protein, fiber and many more. They just require overnight soaking and can be eaten with a pinch of salt or even just like that.  

8. Nuts and Seeds

               If you are not allergic to nuts or seeds, this is a snack option you can count on. Just like dried fruits, they are moisture-free and have a long shelf-life. They are said to be high in calories even though they are tiny and this just tells us how great they are as a trekking snack! Almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are some examples of nuts and seeds you can carry while trekking.

               

  The length or the duration of your trek should not matter, healthy, durable and portable food and meals are a must when you are a trekker. Life is short and making memories is a must. As a trekker, you are exploring nature and making some beautiful memories. Eat healthy and stay fit and do what you love doing – Trek!

Compiled by: Shrija Bhattacharya

shrija.b9@gmail.com

If you wish to go on a trek or a camp anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com

Camping Or Trekking? How To Decide On A Weekend Getaway

Camping and trekking are both really fun activities to engage in if you’re an outdoorsy person. While camping is more about relaxing and getting to know nature in a more personal way, trekking is more rigorous and challenging. Both are fun, but it really depends from one person to another. And if you’re unsure as to which one to choose as your getaway from all the mundane things in life this weekend, here are a few differences, pros and cons of both camping and trekking to help you decide.

Itinerary

Camping ensures that you spend more time in your campsite while trekking is about walking miles and miles into the wilderness and explore the hidden gifts of nature. Hence the itinerary of both these outdoor activities differ greatly. Firstly, a camping itinerary might contain things that are more technical like, learning tent pitching, short hikes to see the sunset, etc. whereas a trekking itinerary might cater more to walking and less learning. To understand this better, here are the two short itineraries of Kudremukh Trek and Phunsukh Wangdu Isolated Camp that Get Beyond Limits offers –

Kudremukh Trek (short itinerary)

Day 0 – Pick up from Bangalore

Day 1 – Overnight journey till Balegal – 6 kms off-road jeep ride – Trek from Mullodi – Kudremukh Peak – Reach Base Camp – Campfire (if permitted by situations)

Day 2 – Base Camp – Somavati River – Walk/Jeep ride next to coffee farms – Bangalore

Phunsukh Wangdu Isolated Camp (short itinerary)

Day 1 – Leave Bangalore at 12pm – Introduction sessions – Self-sponsored lunch on the way – Reach campsite – Know Your Surroundings session – Tent pitching/Campsite setting up session – Hike to sunset – Campfire – Dinner next to the campfire – Story-sharing at campfire by everyone – Stargazing

Day 2 – Wake up for sunrise – Hike to Slide Hill – Breakfast – Depart for Bangalore – Reach Bangalore

Season

Trekking can be done in winter, monsoon and summer alike, but camping has its own problems in some seasons. For example, it is really difficult to enjoy camping in the monsoon season. The soil is damp and tent pitching becomes a problem, similarly, continuous rains can hinder a good campfire experience. If stargazing is something you want to experience while on a camp, it is very difficult to do so in the rainy season. Even trek destinations are based on seasonality. While some places are great for conducting monsoon treks, others are great for summer treks. Hence when it comes to outdoor activities like camping and trekking, seasonality plays a very important role.

Size of Groups

Even though solo treks are enjoyable, camping solo has no fun in it. While solo treks can help you escape the bustling city life and find your true self, camping solo will only make you feel more lonely. The highlight of a campsite is its campfire, now where is the fun in a campfire when there is no one around you to share stories and unwind. Plus, pitching a tent is also more fun when you have people who help you out.

Learning Curve

Learning new skills and experiences are the main attraction of both camping and trekking. However, camping has a higher learning curve as compared to trekking. Going out camping can teach you many things. For example, tent pitching sessions, campsite setting up sessions,etc. can teach you the technical aspects of campsite building. Also, story-sharing sessions during campfires are a great means to share each other’s experiences and understand life better. It is often seen that campfires are places of great discussions and brainstorming. Trekking can teach you about nature and the environment around you. It will make you realize the importance of conserving nature and why city life is not that comfortable after all.

Preference

Like I mentioned earlier, your preference matters the most in this decision-making dilemma that you face. If you’re the kind of outdoorsy person that loves to just sit back, relax and indulge in great conversation with great minds amongst nature, camping might be your scene. But if you are into physically challenging activities that require lots of walking and exploring, trekking is the right choice. Hence it’s your call.

Camping or Trekking? The answer is deep within your heart. Understand what goes on in each of these activities and decide where your heart lies. Once that is sorted out, you will know exactly what to choose. So tell me, are you a camping person or a trekking person?

If you wish to go on a trek or a camp anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com

Differences Between Monsoon And Summer Treks

Monsoon treks are wet, lush green and splashy, while summer treks are more about sunshine on your face and sweat dripping down your back. But is this the only difference between a monsoon trek and a summer trek? To find out, you need to experience these seasonal treks to understand better. While some like the rain and some like the feel of the harsh sun right above their heads. Seasonal treks are all about your personal preferences. However, if you’re looking for the differences between these two seasonal treks, here are a few.

Seasonality

Monsoon treks are organised in the rainy season between the months of June to September, whereas summer treks are organised between the months of March to May. However, July and August have the heaviest rains in the western ghats and if you’re a rain-lover, this is the ideal time for you to take up trekking. If you’re a first-time trekker, you’d want to go trekking in the later monsoon months, so that the rain is not too harsh and your first-time trek experience is amazing.

Difficulty Level

Both the seasonal treks are equal on the difficulty scale. However, during monsoon treks, the rains are so heavy that even the walking trails have water flowing in them. And every stream that you will cross will have waist-deep water. The trails are very slippery and after it stops raining, there are leeches ready to suck your blood. If you like challenges, a monsoon trek is the perfect type of trek for you. Summer treks have no leeches, but if you don’t keep yourself hydrated during these type of treks, you will face the sun’s wrath. Trekking is a rigorous physical activity that involves a lot of sweating already. Hence, summer treks will churn out every ounce of energy inside you. The trails are dry and the streams you encounter will be very less on water content.

Clothing

It is generally advised by experienced trekkers to wear light clothing on both the treks because, even if it is monsoon, due to so much walking, your body will be sweating profusely anyway. However, raincoats are a must during monsoon treks. In terms of footwear, we’d advise you to wear waterproof or water-resistant shoes. Rain boots that reach up to your calves can also be worn to avoid leech attacks. During summer treks, clothes made of cotton, linen or breathable material is preferred. This will ensure air circulation and help your skin to breathe. Any comfortable shoes can be worn in this season’s treks, but do ensure that your footwear has good grip. Caps or hats are very important when it comes to summer treks as the sun shines harshly above your head.

Other Essentials To Carry

Basic trekking gear and necessities are a must for both the seasonal treks, but when it comes to monsoon treks, you must pack a few mosquito repellents and leech repellents. Even though cream-based repellents can be easily washed away by the rain, it is usually advised that you carry them. Salt and deodorants will help you keep the leeches away. Similarly, summer treks can also use mosquito repellants, but leeches aren’t a problem at this part of the year. Sunscreens are a must here as the sun’s rays can be harmful to your skin. Any sunscreen with SPF 30 or above is advisable.

Food Requirements

Food is an essential amenity at all times, especially when you are outdoors and are engaged in a physically exhausting activity like trekking. You need to eat less, but more often so that your body has enough energy to push through. During monsoon treks, cooking out in the campfires is difficult. Ensure that you collect enough dry wood at the outset, but even after that, cooking under the rain is not possible. Carry your meals in tiffin boxes and spare the effort of cooking on treks. In summer treks, cooking under the sky is not difficult, but it is often seen that the quest to stay hydrated often tend to fill your stomach with fluids and kill your appetite. Hence, eating well is kind of a challenge for both.

To make choice making easier for you, here are the top 5 monsoon and summer treks that Get Beyond Limits has to offer. You can check out our website for more details on these beautiful treks-

Monsoon Treks

  1. Kudremukh Trek
  2. Tadiandamol Coorg Trek
  3. Kodachadri Trek
  4. Nishani Motte Trek
  5. Galibeedu Peak Coorg Trek

Summer Treks

  1. Gokarna Beach Trek
  2. Kodachadri Trek
  3. Nilgiris Waterfalls Trek
  4. Hampi Bouldering and Heritage Trek
  5. Chikmagalur Trek

As this monsoon season graces us with its presence, let’s make the most of it. Let’s trek under the rain and embrace nature in its most beautiful form. They say raindrops are like diamonds falling from the sky, so let’s soak in them and make memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re a person who loves the feel of raindrops against their skin, what are you waiting for? Book a monsoon trek with us now!

If you wish to go on a trek anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com

Top 4 Spooky Stories That You Have To Share In Your Next Campfire

Campfires are the highlight of any camping experience. They help you socialize and create the mood by sharing stories that can chill your bones. Spooky stories have been a campfire tradition around the world since times immemorial. But the question is, are you a good storyteller? Or do you have great stories to share? Well, if the answer to these questions are a no, here are top 4 spooky stories that you have to share in your next campfire experience.

  1. Do Not Turn On The Light

Courtney and Ashley were roommates in college. The girls got along quite well and spent their free time together. One evening, the girls got ready and got out to head to a party.

As they got down the stairs, Ashley realized that she had forgotten her purse in the room. In a hurry, Ashley rushed into the room and without turning on the lights, she grabbed her purse and head to the party with Courtney. The night was fun and by the time it was 1am, Courtney felt sick and head back to the room, turned on the lights to change into her sleeping gown and went to bed. Ashley stayed back at the party as she had met a few of her college mates.

When Ashley got back to her room early in the morning, she saw the dead body of Courtney lying there lifeless with blood soaking her bed sheet. However, written on the wall above the bed were the words, “AREN’T YOU GLAD YOU DIDN’T TURN ON THE LIGHTS?”

    2. Be Careful What You Wish For

Sam was walking down a deserted street late at night, when he got pulled into an alley by an old man. Not wanting to be rude to an elderly person, Sam politely asked the man what he wanted. The old man smiled, “I want to grant you a wish.”

Sam laughed and wondered if he was talking to a lunatic. But he wanted to play along and have some fun at the end of it. So Sam controlled his laughter and seriously said, “I wish that you would leave me alone.”

The next day, police crowded the alley where Sam had been last night… alive. His dead body lay by the trash cans and a letter was tucked under his lifeless head. When a policeman named Josh opened the letter, it said, “IF YOU’D HAVE LEFT WITHOUT ASKING FOR ANYTHING, YOU’D BE ALIVE TODAY, BUT YOU WISHED TO BE ALONE! SO I LEFT YOU ALONE. YOU SHOULD’VE KNOWN TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.”  

   3. There Is Someone Under The Bed

Brad begins tucking his young son into bed when he tells him, “Daddy, check for monsters under my bed.” Brad laughs and looks under the bed for his son’s amusement and sees him, another him, under the bed, quivering and whispering with tears in his eyes, “Daddy, there’s someone on my bed!”

   4. Puppy In The Basement

Mommy told Kit to never go to the basement, but he wanted to see what was making that noise. It kind of sounded like a puppy and Kit wanted to see the puppy. So he opened the basement door and tiptoed down a bit. But soon he was yanked out by his mommy who kept yelling at him. She never yelled at him and thus he was sad and he cried that night. The next day, mommy nicely advised Kit to never go to the basement again and even gave him a cookie! This made him feel better, so he didn’t ask her why there was a boy in the basement making puppy noises, or why he had no hands or feet.       

Scared yet? Now that you know the top 4 spooky stories that can scare anyone at the campfire, remember to add a pinch of drama while narrating them. A little voice modulation and facial expression can always add to the scare!

If you wish to go on a trek or a camp anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com


6 Famous Sherpas We Should All Know About

Sherpas are real life heroes. While western mountaineers are famed all across the world, we often tend to forget to credit these sherpas who have equal, or far too many achievements to their names as well. Sherpa translates into “The Eastern People” and this ethnic group is a big help to all the mountaineers from across the world who aspire to climb the Everest, or any other peak around Nepal. They are also called as the superhuman climbers of the world. But sadly, there are only a few Sherpas who are known to the masses today. We all know about Tenzing Norgay, but what about the others? So, here are 6 famous Sherpas we should all know about!

  1. Lakpa Sherpa

Born in 1973, Lakpa is the first Nepalese woman to climb and descent the Mt. Everest successfully. She has climbed the Everest 9 times, more than any other woman climber.

In the year 2000, Lakpa was made the leader of the expedition to the Everest which was sponsored by Asian Trekking. This was her first climb to the highest peak in the world. In 2010, she also attempted to reach the summit of Mt. K2, but was successful in reaching only till camp 3, after which she had to turn back due to bad weather.

Now, Lakpa is an American citizen and a public figure. Her interviews have featured in The Telegraph and many other leading media outlets.

  1. Babu Chiri Sherpa

Born in 1965, Babu Chiri has reached the summit of the Everest 10 times! He also hold two world records to his name. First, he managed to stay on the summit of the Everest for 21 hours without auxiliary oxygen. Second, he is known to have made the fastest ascent to the summit of the Everest in 16 hours and 56 minutes only!

As a child, Babu Chiri grew up in the mountains and always loved them with all his heart. The legend of Tenzing Norgay was his inspiration to climb the Everest too. He began his career at the age of 16, as a mountain porter and the rest is history. He also went on some expeditions to Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world.

However, Babu Chiri died in 2001 when he fell into a crevasse from camp 3 while taking some photographs during his 11th attempt to summit the mighty Everest. He still is remembered for his achievements and always will.

  1. Pemba Gyalje Sherpa

He is a 46 year old mountaineer who is one of the most notable Sherpas of today. With an astonishing 127 ascents to various mountains of the world, he also trains aspiring mountaineers.

Being awarded various prestigious awards like, The Adventurer of the Year and The Heroism, he also featured in the documentary called, “The Summit” alongside some Swedish mountaineers. In this documentary, he was seen talking about his experience losing 11 fellow climbers to an avalanche while climbing K2.

Pemba Gyalje now lives in Kathmandu, Nepal with his family and continues to add feathers to his already crowded hat.

  1. Phurba Tashi Sherpa

If you’re wondering what his achievements in the field of mountaineering are, he has climbed the summit of the Everest twenty-one times, Mt. Cho Oyu five times, Mt. Manaslu two times and Mt. Shishapangma and Mt. Lhotse one time each.

Since his unbelievable achievements, Phurba Tashi has featured in a Discovery Channel documentary series called “Everest: Beyond The Limit” and has also led many expeditions. He is a role model in the Sherpa community and continues to inspire those who dream of climbing the mighty mountains of the world.

Phurba Tashi (48-years-old) has now retired from mountaineering and lives in Khumjung, Nepal.

  1. Ang Dorje Sherpa

Born in 1970, Ang Dorje is a Nepali mountaineer, trainer and porter, all packed into one. He has climbed the summit of the Everest 19 times and is a public figure whose achievements are phenomenal.

Ang Dorje also assisted Bachendri Pal, the first woman to reach the summit of Mt. Everest in 1984. This was his second ascent to the Everest. He has since climbed other peaks like Cho Oyu, Broad Peak and many others.

Ang Dorje now lives in the USA with his wife Michelle Gregory.

  1. Kami Rita Sherpa

Born in 1970, he has under his name the world record for the most ascents to the summit of Mt. Everest. He climbed the summit of Everest for the twenty-third time in May 2019, breaking the previous record of twenty-two ascent, which was his own record that he had achieved in May 2018.

The fact that he was 49-years-old when he achieved the above mentioned world record, is commendable. Kami Rita started the climb from the Nepal side along with eight other Nepali climbers. Because of him achieving this feat, he is now well-known around the world!

Kami Rita presently works for the mountaineering firm, Alpine Ascents and lives in Nepal, his home country.

If you are an aspiring mountaineer and want to summit the peaks that the Himalayas has to offer, you must get to know about the Sherpa community. They are not only porters and great mountaineers, but people with inhuman mountain climbing abilities.

If you wish to go on a trek anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com

TOP 5 CHEAP AND BEST BRANDS FOR TREKKING GEAR

If there is one thing that every trekker should have, it is good quality trekking gear. But shopping for these is a troublesome task as finding good trekking gear can be a little expensive. As any trekker might suggest, do not compromise on the quality as being broke at the end of the month is always better than coming back from the trek with blisters and injuries. But what if you knew the right brands to go to? Brands that promise good quality gear and also go a little less harsh on your wallet? Well, here are top 5 cheap and best brands for trekking gear that are also available on amazon.

1.    The North Face

North Face is the one stop shop for all your trekking essentials. From adequate trekking shoes and backpacks to active wear and camping supplies, they got it all. The San-Francisco based climbing equipment retail store was founded in 1966 and since, it has been one of the best in its field.

Best item – The Packable Fanorak Pullover

You can shop with North Face on their website – www.thenorthface.com or also on www.amazon.in

2.    Columbia

Named after the Columbia River situated in the Pacific Northwest region of North America, this company is literally the “river” of trekking gear when it comes to the variety of products. Columbia is famous for its jackets which are made of breathable waterproof fabric and interchangeable shells and liners. However, do go through the all other trekking equipments they have to offer.

Best item – Roan Mountain Jacket

You can shop with Columbia on their website – www.columbia.com or also on www.amazon.in

3.    Marmot

Marmot was founded in 1974 by two students from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Since its founding, the company has made quite a name for itself by manufacturing quality trekking gear. Marmot is known for its tents and sleeping bags, but do look into their clothing section for some great jackets and tees that will keep you stylish even when you are burning calories while trekking.

Best item – Tungsten Ultralight tent

You can shop with Marmot on their website – www.marmot.com or also on www.amazon.in

4.    Quechua

It is a French company founded in 1997 that was named after the Quechua language, an indigenous language from South America. The six-year-old company is already one of the 10 largest global brands in mountain gear. Quechua is known for its climbing shoes that are of fine quality and style alike. If you want to trek in style and comfort, Quechua is a great option.

Best item – Mid MH500 shoes

You can shop with Quechua on their website – www.quechua.com or also on www.amazon.in

5.    Wildcraft

Founded in 1998, Wildcraft is a Bengaluru-based company. The company’s products are sold in over 175 exclusive stores in India and abroad. The company’s first product in the 90s was a dome tent, but now it sells bags, shoes, clothing and anything that will help you with your trek. Wildcraft is known for its backpacks and rucksacks.

Best item – Hypalite Backpacks

You can shop with Wildcraft on their website – www.wildcraft.com or also on www.amazon.in

Trekking enables one to push past any sort of barriers and overcome all inhibitions. While trekking, confidence and comfort are two things that play a vital role in the overall enjoyment of a trekker. Hence, shop smart when you are planning your trek. Do your research and buy the gear that give you the best experience at best prices.

If you wish to go on a trek anytime soon, let us take you with us. To book your slot visit www.getbeyondlimits.com

For any further details contact us via email – connect@getbeyondlimits.com