Trekking

 

I must admit, though I find the idea of trekking enjoyable, I have gone on few treks. This is not to say I am an armchair trekker, but that the treks I have been on are few and far between! What is it that makes one go on a trek? It is constantly hard on the body, the almost endless toil of putting one foot in front of the other, on top of climbing up in altitude in case of trekking in the mountains. Sometimes, it feels almost masochistic in nature!

Any trek can be divided into three stages. The first is the start, which lasts from about half an hour to three quarters of an hour. This is the honeymoon period, full of enthusiasm, when one takes in all sorts of sights and sounds, happy in wearing and carrying all the new-fangled trekking gear and so forth.

The stage of  enthusiasm!

Then comes the second and the longest stage. Gradually the feeling of exhilaration tones down, and is further worn down by the increasing realization and thought, “When is this going to end?” Further, a sense of horror steadily encompasses one when it is realized how far the end actually is. This sensation then merges into sullen resignation when one has gone too far to actually quit and go back. This is the stage of drudgery and ‘trudgery’, when the endless trudging steps are all that matter and the only thought that remains is to get to the next bend, stop and take a sip of water and then go on again.

Stage of drudgery!

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The last stage of relief!

The third and last stage is when the final resting place is sighted. A surge of enthusiasm filters through the haze of dull exhaustion and one is again ready to march on and even scramble on all fours to finally reach the end!