As I stood alongside Tenzing Norgay watching dawn break over the Himalayas, I learned lessons that would shape not only my life as a mountaineer but decades later my calling as a Lion.
Today, in the 50th year of my Kanchenjunga Expedition, I feel deeply grateful as I look back at the journey that led me to the highest peaks and the deepest valleys, a remarkable adventure that introduced me to incredible people and resilient communities.
My lifelong odyssey began in 1974, when I had the privilege of joining the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Manali, for my inaugural expedition to Frey Peak. The subsequent year brought truly indelible memories during the Kanchenjunga Expedition, where I had the singular honour of climbing alongside two towering figures of mountaineering: the legendary Tenzing Norgay and Sherpa Nawang Gombu, who, at that time, had already summited Mount Everest twice.
That experience was a profound lesson in the very essence of teamwork, perseverance, and courage. Standing before the mighty Kanchenjunga, I was instantly awestruck by the sheer grandeur of Mother Nature. The snow-capped peaks shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, the forests below thrived in a lush tapestry of green, and the vast plains seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon.
Yet, as the climb commenced, this breathtaking beauty swiftly gave way to the harsh realities of high-altitude mountaineering. The air grew perilously thin, making each breath a calculated struggle. Icy winds mercilessly cut through every layer of clothing, and the unforgiving slopes relentlessly tested every ounce of my physical strength and mental focus. Still, I pressed onward, driven by an indomitable spirit of adventure.
The mountain demanded absolute respect at every step. I navigated glaciers riddled with deep crevasses, remained constantly vigilant for avalanches that could strike without warning, and endured winds capable of freezing exposed skin within minutes. High-altitude sickness, with its debilitating headaches, nausea, and exhaustion, was a constant, lurking threat. Every arduous moment underscored the very real danger ahead.
Finally, standing triumphantly atop Kanchenjunga, a feeling of pure happiness and profound pride filled my heart—an emotion that remains truly beyond words.
Now, as a Lion, I apply these same lessons in service to our communities. The pursuit of service, like the pursuit of a mountain summit, requires dedicated focus and an unwavering spirit.
~ Pradeep S
Trivandrum Metropolis Lions Club,
District 318 A