How Pankti Came Back to do the KGL Trek After Winning Over Her Fitness

“It was in 2018 when I was about to give my CA final exams. I used to weigh 111 kgs back then. I really wanted to do the Kashmir Great Lakes trek.

With only one month's time to prepare for the trek, I was sceptical about my fitness.

I used to go for brisk walks every day and lost about 9 kgs.

My Experience Coordinator Suhas told my Trek Leader Himanshu Thapa that I might be slow on the trek and may have to be sent down.

That’s exactly what happened. I was sent back from Nichnai Pass because of fitness issues.

I was extremely sad for a lot of days. But I had gone back giving myself a reason to come back again.

In 2019, I decided to go for the Sandakphu trek. The trek went fine but KGL was stuck in my head.

So for the next time, I decided to plan much further and leave no stone unturned.

I signed up for KGL in February 2021. For my preparations, I decided to take the help of a personal fitness trainer.

I have always had a lifestyle of waking up late in the morning around 10:30 am. My coach wanted me to wake up early and work out at 5:30 am, so that I can train regularly from 6 to 7 am.

It was all going great but then I got Covid and it completely ruptured my internal system.

To add to that, after some time I realised I have a flat foot issue in my tendon. Due to this, I got an injury while running and I had to be on rest for 15 days.

During this period, I happened to come across the book ‘The Alchemist’ and after reading it, I knew everything will fall into place if I keep manifesting and giving my best.

Finally, I went on the trek and reached Nichnai Pass. It was an extremely emotional moment for me. That was the point I was sent back from and in 2021 I met the same guide who was with me in 2018. He surprisingly recognised me and told me, “Madam is baar aapka hojayega.”

This time, I didn’t just complete the trek. I was always pushing others to keep going on. There was a natural rhythm in my body and I thoroughly enjoyed the views along!

At present, I weigh 85 kgs and I plan to reach 75 kgs. The whole experience of going on a trek has inclined me to strive for a healthy lifestyle every day.

After I was sent down in 2018, I got a mountain tattoo on my hand. Because I knew that I would go back no matter what.

Even though we couldn’t cross the Gadsar Pass, we realised we were meant to summit ourselves and come to a side with a better version of ourselves.”

- Pankti Shah, Indiahikes Trekker