I am amazed at how independent and courageous children of this generation are at 16, compared to our generation. Rahul Munshi, who has just finished his ICSE board examination from Mumbai’s Cathedral School, decided to trek to the base camp of Mount Everest.
First of all, without being judgemental, I do find children in Mumbai to be more “city kids” than kids from places in the North including Delhi. They may be excellent in sports, but don’t go trekking on challenging terrains.
Rahul had a few months before he joined the Charter House School in the UK, and decided to do something that he thought would be challenging. He decided to go on this expedition without family or friends. “None of my friends seemed to come to a consensus and were not confident about it, and it was my desire to go. It had nothing to do with others,” he said.
When Rahul flew to Kathmandu as part of a package tour, he realised that there were only two other people with him. “A German woman and her daughter. However, I took it in a positive way,” he said.
I remember my trekking trips during my college years to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers.
“Though I am into sports like soccer and rugby, mountains were a new territory for me. The only advice I got was from my cousin who asked me to carry cereal bars and lots of water,” he said.
The first day was a trek to Phakding where they spent a night. The next day they underwent a strenuous seven-hour climb to a place 11,000-feet high called Namche Bazaar. “This is the place where we are meant to stop for one night to acclimatise ourselves. The view is breathtaking,” he said.
Unfortunately, Rahul fell ill. He suffered from altitude sickness accompanied by vomiting and severe headache. “Did you feel alone or scared at this stage,” I asked the young boy, who was alone and thousands of miles away from the warmth of family. “No,” he said. However, the doctor found the symptoms severe and suggested that Rahul fly back.
“Maybe I was not fully prepared and did not know what to expect, but I am definitely going back,” he said. At this point I had to share my experience with him. After my trek, I was unconsciously prepared to do things I could never have dreamt of doing. Tough things became easy to accomplish. Having just got back from the trip, Rahul probably does not know how much this experience will benefit him. But sure as hell it will! “When I was climbing the mountain, I saw that there were many people past the age of 65. The whole experience, even the illness part, has been a hell of an experience for me and has totally been worth it. The next time I am going to prepare myself, but I am certainly going back,” he said.