Journey to Himalayas

2026-10-29

I had seen mountains in photos and videos for years, so I thought I knew what to expect. I didn’t. This July I went on my first Himalayan trek, the Hampta Pass in Himachal Pradesh, and it was also my first time in North India. I’m writing this while it’s still fresh, because I don’t want to forget how it felt.

It started at the TKI base camp, where I knew nobody. By the time we reached the Chika campsite near Jobra village, the first day was over and the trip had finally stopped being a plan. I posted a photo that evening:

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The second day was the first time my legs really felt it. We walked about 8 km with an 8 kg rucksack to Balu Ka Ghera, at around 11,900 ft. Eight kilos sounds like nothing until you carry it uphill at that height. What surprised me more was the weather. It was my first time in North India, and I wasn’t used to cold like that.

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Then came the day everyone talks about: the Hampta Pass itself. From Balu Ka Ghera it was about 2,000 ft of climbing over 4 km, a steep 50 to 60 degree stretch, and then 4 km down to Shea Goru. It was hard, and I’m glad it was. When I finally stood up there, above the clouds, I wrote “Above the clouds, beyond the excuses” under the photo, and I still think it’s the best summary of that day. You can’t skip a mountain. You just have to keep taking the next step.

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Along the way there was plenty more than walking. We did a river crossing in freezing water, the kind of cold that makes you gasp and then laugh. I have a video of it in my Hampta Pass highlights if you want to see how it went.

What stayed with me most, though, was the people. You start out as strangers and, a few days later, you’re sharing food, stories and aching legs like old friends. There’s something about being far from everything that makes you talk to each other properly.

If you’ve been thinking about doing a trek, I’d say go. Meeting new people, trying things you’ve never done, and seeing mountains in front of you for the first time is something you’ll remember for a long time. I’m already thinking about the next one.