A journey of transformation: Lessons from a Himalayan Outbound Training Program : IIM Indore Students

In a recent trek to the Himalayas, I had the privilege of collaborating with India Hikes to facilitate a Himalayan Outbound Training program for students from IIM Indore. Embarking on the KedarKantha Trek, renowned for its winter summit and life-enriching experiences, the journey unfolded from Noida to Kotgaon, the trek's base.

Day 0 - Preparing Minds and Exploring Kotgaon

Preparation kicked off with revisiting expectations & technical aspects including the core philosophy of self-sustainability. After a good night's rest, we explored the picturesque village of Kotgaon in Uttarkashi, setting the stage for the adventure ahead.

Day 1 - Conquering the Trails and Team Bonding

Students, divided into teams, faced the challenge of reaching the first campsite by 2 pm. Initial moments tested their resolve, but soon, a lush forest and positive team energy emerged. Team bonding activities in the midst of nature laid the foundation for collaboration, a key theme of the program. A unique dinner challenge further strengthened their teamwork under the stars.

Day 2 - Student Leadership and Beautiful Memories

Students took control, navigating trails and preparing maps. The transformation was evident as individuals evolved into effective team players, enjoying coordination and creating lasting memories against the backdrop of a breathtaking sunset.

D Day - Summiting Together

The final day saw complete control handed over to the students for summiting Kedarkantha Peak. Collaborative strategies and a unified effort resulted in a breathtaking sunrise from the summit, evoking emotional moments and becoming a defining scene of the program.

Key takeaways for the new tomorrow:

Planning: It is an essential part of our daily routine and each one of us learned by executing strategies ,it begins from the day you commit to a Himalayan Trek where fitness and equipment planning does make a lot of difference.

Team Formation - It started from dividing larger groups into smaller teams ,knowing the team well is first priority before assigning tasks & responsibilities.

Art of Collaboration - I observed students are highlighting? positive changes from being competitive to collaborative within teams leading to a perfect team effort.

Exploring Leadership Skills - Learning by experimenting is the core essence of outdoor training modules.For daily tasks, changing roles within teams worked well where everyone was able to discover their leadership skills & how they can improve was the key take away.

Sense of Achievement & Strong Mindset - While we climb mountains it gives that confidence to conquer anything in life at any given conditions which eventually leads to a strong mindset.

Gratitude & Empathy - When we are in mountains,the first thing we learn to pay gratitude to nature, which help us to be a better human when we go back to our routines.

Art of concluding - Art of concluding is the most essential part of narrowing your thoughts.After every task, as a team we all concluded our learnings, reflecting back every moments.

The Himalayan Outbound Training program was not just a trek; it was a transformative experience that instilled invaluable life lessons, shaping resilient, collaborative, and empathetic leaders ready to conquer anything in life.