By Vijaykumar Duraiarasan
For nearly a decade, the Indian Himalayas have shaped my journey—wild, raw, and endlessly inspiring. It all began in 2015, when I nervously stepped into the world of high-altitude trekking. My first Himalayan trek tested every limit I thought I had. It was difficult. It was humbling. And it was utterly transformative. That single journey sparked a fire that never faded. Over the past 10 years, I have ventured into some of India’s most challenging mountain passes and summits—each trek demanding not just physical stamina, but deep mental endurance, the kind that only silence and solitude can build.
This year marked a special milestone. To commemorate 10 years of trekking in the Himalayas, I crossed into Nepal to chase a long-standing dream that had quietly lived in my heart for years. In the summer of 2025, I set foot on Everest Base Camp, nestled at a staggering 17,700 feet in the heart of the Nepal Himalayas. This marked my 12th Himalayan expedition, and the most emotionally stirring of them all. Standing face-to-face with Mount Everest and its towering neighbours wasn’t just surreal; it was a powerful affirmation of everything this journey has come to mean.
What made this journey even more meaningful was that I was able to document it through photography, capturing moments that were as soulful as they were spectacular. Though my profession as a Software Engineer offers little room for mountain pursuits, I have spent the last 10 years building a parallel life rooted in travel writing, landscape and wildlife photography, and endurance sports. It’s in the intersections of these passions that I have found the strength to rise before dawn, train for altitude, and carry both a backpack and a vision through every trail.
This achievement isn’t about records or recognition. It’s about demonstrating what’s possible when we listen to our inner calling and commit to it with discipline, patience, and persistence, despite the constraints of routine, responsibilities, and urban life.
More importantly, I hope this story inspires others, especially the younger generation in our community, to believe that bold, life-affirming dreams can be pursued even while balancing a full-time career. You don’t have to give up stability to follow passion; you just have to stay consistent, stay curious, and keep walking.
Vijaykumar Duraiarasan is a resident of Adyar and can be contacted via email: [email protected]; Website: http://www.xplorewithvijay.com; Instagram: @vijaykumar_duraiarasan; Facebook Profile: vijay8686.
