Words simply can’t express my incredible experience with Aman and his amazing team at Anthill Adventures! Let me tell you, my last trek was back in 1984, so when my friend Sandy convinced me to join him on another one, I was more than a little apprehensive. Here I was, approaching 57 and haven’t trekked in over 40 years! Plus, let’s be honest, I’m not exactly the picture of peak fitness.
Another friend, bless their heart, tried to talk me out of it. They researched the Dodital and Darwa Pass trek and assured me it was no walk in the park. Given my situation, they strongly suggested something easier. But Sandy’s enthusiasm was contagious, so I took the plunge and signed up.
Then came the (slightly terrifying) interview with Aman. He wanted to know everything about my fitness level and any medical conditions. Let’s just say the list of medications I sent him might have raised a few red flags! But then came the Strava data – proof of my (somewhat questionable) fitness. Thankfully, with a green light from my cardiologist (who, being ex-army, was strangely excited about my trek!), Aman gave me the go-ahead.
We met Aman and the team in Kuflon a little late at night. Despite the age gap, I felt an instant connection with Aman. He gave us a thorough briefing on the trek, though I suspect he might have left out a few details about the tougher parts (a wise move!).
The first daywas undeniably challenging. Those initial 6-7 km were a steep climb that nearly drained my energy. Here’s the kicker: it turned out we could have driven to the starting point! But Aman, in his wisdom, wanted to ensure all of us (Rahul, Sandy, Sanju, and myself) were truly up for the trek. Looking back, I guess we all passed with flying colors. Aman playfully mentioned his initial confidence in Rahul (young and fit), Sanju (a black belt!), and Sandy (a seasoned trekker). That left me feeling a bit on the edge, but by the end, Aman was clearly impressed by my perseverance.
Throughout the trek, Aman and Anant (the lead and sweep, respectively) kept a watchful eye on our little group of four. Even when we got a bit spread out, they never wavered from their positions. Aman’s patience was truly remarkable, especially when I slowed down on steep climbs. As for Anant, he was my constant cheerleader, every time I threatened to give up!
Suman, the mastermind behind the camps, food, and kitchen, deserves a shoutout too. Not being a hardened mountaineer, I truly appreciated the luxury of not having to carry my entire load. All we needed was a daypack with essentials.
Reaching Dodital was an absolute triumph! I never thought I could conquer such a challenge. We faced extreme cold, scorching heat, pouring rain, and even a heavy hailstorm. But the Anthill team handled everything with aplomb. Summiting Darwa Pass was an exhilarating experience that left me with goosebumps for hours.
Aman, Anant, and the entire Anthill Adventures team are simply the best. I can’t wait for my next adventure with them! Thank you, Anthill, for making this an unforgettable experience!