Kanchenjunga - A Mountaineer's Upward Journey (Morning Story #02)

• Every now and then when we want to leave our hometown to have a memorable trip, we often think of places that reside in the nature's heart. Places that arrest you with either their sheer beauty, or their remarkable size, or sometimes, both.

  
  

  A few years back, I got an opportunity to make a 10-day tour to North India.  At times, I suppose we travelled a little too much to go from one point to another, sitting for long hours in our 30-seater mini-bus. But having said all that, it was worth it. After reaching to a particular destination, nobody complained. Just like no one nagged to get up at 2:30 in the morning to witness the best sunrise anyone has ever seen. At the stroke of 3, in the almost unbearable chilling morning, we headed to the mighty Kanchenjunga. Considering the narrow roads curving up on the modest hills (modest as compared to the height of Kanchenjunga), it was sort of a rough ride with absolutely no seat vacant in the bone-crushing Armada. And finally, after a half an hour bumpy ride of constant ascending, we reached our destination with one eye still lost in our respective half-shattered dreams. To our good fortunes, the weather was clear without a single cloud in the sky. So, the spectacle was definitely going to get its due appreciation.

  
  

  Gradually, the border of India and Nepal began to curve towards the sun and each one of us having booked our respective viewpoints, waited with bated breath. Standing in front of us was the humungous and astounding Kanchenjunga and its adjoining tall hills. The white snow-caps slowly began to absorb a tinge of yellow in them, as the sky was turning from navy blue to light blue to dull orange and lemon yellow. There were around a hundred people present to witness this phenomenon, and all eyes were fixed on the third tallest mountain in the world.

  
  

  Though the dawn was chilling, this spectacle was installing warmth in each one of us who were now wide awake. And at that very second, it happened. In an instant, the top of Kanchenjunga turned to gold. It felt as if the first sun ray to hit the India-Nepal border fell on top of this astonishing peak. Within seconds, its adjoining hills, too, were plastered with gold. The snow began to shimmer like a 24 carat diamond-studded necklace on a beautiful woman’s neck. The sun began to reveal itself entirely over the glittering shoulder of this tall mountain to announce its might by sending its rays to every nook and cranny of the whole of North India. But, there was only one king of the sky rising above all at that particular moment – Kanchenjunga.

  
  

  Slowly, the mist over the horizon began to disappear, and the temperatures moved up slightly. The sky was now a large blanket knitted with two shades of wool; off white and light blue. The entire mountain range, which stretches over quite a few miles on either side, was now clearly visible. The air that was getting lifted over these snow-capped peaks did a ballet, mesmerizing everyone with its charm and grace.

  
  

  To make this nature’s exhibition look even better, hot tea was served to everyone. With every sip, people were gazing continuously at this giant mountain with awe. It was quite hard to believe how something can stand so still day in and day out, and yet take everyone by surprise every time one looks at it. An even harder fact to accept was that this mountain is lifeless. Well, to me it isn’t. Kanchenjunga is brimming with life, not exactly in the physical form, but from within. And it brings the morning to life with its unmatched glistening attire nobody on this very earth can replicate. It was a morning I can never ever forget; a morning that will always be close to my heart, as it has gifted me with a memory I will always cherish.