Welcome aboard!

Dear Students
Raman and I will be there to welcome you at the airport. While you may have seen me in some old pictures, you may have seen Raman hanging out somewhere near “Westdale”! But don’t worry, we will have no difficulty spotting you! So, here is an advance welcome to all of you..

You will have an hour or so to relax at the airport and then transfer to the Mini-bus and then a drive through the plains of northern India to the Himalayan foothills- through sleepy towns, villages, fields etc..

The first thing in Vikasnagar as soon as you have rested and settled in- we will have a detailed planning session, where we will try to answer your questions and plan various events- especially departures, since travel has to be booked in advance to avoid inconvenience at the spur of the moment.

As to Mohini’s query- 16th June, you will be in Vikasnagar (SMTA hostel) and by same evening / night, you all could be in Delhi, if you desired so. So, catching a train in Delhi on 17th June, should not be a problem. But if you all agreed, we can start the trek one day earlier, so that you had more leeway at the end of the trek.

15000 ft is an obvious mis-reading. Most of these popular trails are around 14000 ft. Don’t worry about it anyway. Since you will have enough time to acclimatize. If you don’t, I will know what to do, since I did study Mountain medicine some years back when I was climbing. Problems are rare if you follow the established protocol. The purpose of the one day “test” is to discus these things and to offer individual counseling if needed.

Now, just one thing: How many of you are actually coming? Is there anyone left whose intro is not up?
Sachin