Life Lessons on a trek

It was time for 'that' time of the year: time for an unwind, tucked away in remote hills, swamp lands of North Sweden: away from screens, away from family, as close as you could get to natural environment..

It started as fairly medium level of difficult hike as compared to ascent of Kebnekaise (Sweden's highest peak), couple of years ago. However, it turned out to be tough trek next to Kebnekaise as Mother Earth gently grabbed us in her embrace. A embrace tight enough to reminiscence who the real boss was !

Easy to start:

It is always easy to start an adventure, the real push comes when going gets tough. Barely 1st hour into trek, my jacket was already out. Thanks to uphill terrain, loaded with close to 15 kg backpack and not to forget the thick mushy undergrowth succinctly holding loads of water underneath. This swampy undergrowth sucked in each step we took and we had to pluck out each footstep before taking the next one.. On the outside it looked so easy and inviting, on the contrary it made us count each step we took. So in essence, what looks easy and inviting on outside may not really be the case - a good lesson to be kept in mind even in normal life , albeit learnt the hard swampy way..

Another unexpected turn was around the corner: The muddy puddle of water pictured below seems so ordinary and common sight on a trek/terrain like this.. I stashed my trekking pole to check in and then took a giant leap of faith to cross this puddle. Lo behold, the very next moment, I am in tummy deep water and right foot is stuck in muddy soil down below. I put in all my strength, but all in vain as, the weight of backpack + jump made sure I landed with an impact. Thanks to my dear friend Harshendrakumar Nagaraj right behind me, who advised me to stop rigorous movements, first offloaded my backpack and then slowly helped me get out of seemingly innocuous puddle. Big takeway: As above, don't go by outward appearances

Keep the Focus

As mentioned, the start was easy enough, now came the hard part: to keep the focus and complete what we started.. This is pretty similar to present day dilemma we all face: inundation of screens: we are constantly bombarded with numerous apps and sites and what not to get a share of golden pie: our time and attention.

So, here is my antidote: learnt a rather practical way during trek to maintain focus: Haul a backpack of 15 kg, over a fairly steep slope, throw in the swampy under growth with water gushing onto shoes and each step is dinosaur in walking, then, naturally enough you weigh in, calculate how and where you wanna keep your next step. You become the best navigator, each single step matters and every slight turn also holds immense impact. So you take every step in such a way that it takes you closer to final destination. Not even a single step away from that ultimate goal. So poignant question is: WHAT is your ultimate GOAL? Think through and craft it carefully as that shall be your beacon, NORTH STAR

How beautiful it would be imbibe this sense of focus, motivation and clarity in what we do daily. That begs the question: What do we really want from ourselves? If we are clear enough with this thought, then, drop everything else and do only that what matters to you, cos remember: time is less, heavy weight on back and good uphill to destination. So whatever your ultimate goal is, just chase that. Sounds easy but doable, think of weight on your back

Well, as they say, All is well that ends well. After this leg shaking, monumental epic climb, we were treated to beautiful sunset across the horizon running over a range of hills, with windmills for company and cool soothing breeze.. Not to forget the next night also brought in few Aurora Borealis with its trademark green and pink hues showered across the night sky.