Peak Point Performance

IMJA TSE, better known as ISLAND PEAK, is one of the most popular and frequently climbed peaks of Nepal’s trekking range. Three adventurous Puneities, MANISH HINGORANI,SANDEEP DESHMUKH and JAISUKH SHAH recently conquered this huge summit. Having descended back to our level, we speak to them on how it feels to be right up there looking at the world below from 20,000 ft…

- Akina Godhrawala

Manish Hingorani, a media professional, was always fascinated by the mountains, and lawyer Sandeep Deshmukh is passionate about trekking since a very young age, whereas their third counterpart, Jaisukh Shah, who is into adventure tourism, it was like just another task at work. The trio have completed several trekking expeditions in the Himalayas, including the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, and treks including the Leh-Ladakh region, the world famous Zanskar trek, the frozen river trek popularly known as Chader trek, and more in the Indian Himalayas.

As for Island Peak, it is a tough mountain, especially when one has to cross crevasse and climb vertical walls using ice pixels, jhumers and other climbing equipment. When we ask them what inspired them to start climbing, an enthusiastic Manish says, “I have always been fascinated by challenges which have a certain amount of risk of live involved. It gives a particular high that can only be felt and experienced on achieving it. The power and the magnitude of size, shape, that the mountains portray brings out the adrenaline rush in my body, and the lure to climb. Mountains have taught me that we humans are so small in this universe and most of us tend to behave as if we own the world. It makes me feel humble and have respect for Mother Nature.”

We couldn’t agree more; nature has a lot to teach us. “The beauty, the calmness and the peace at the mountain peaks cannot be described; it can only be felt,” adds Manish. For Sandeep, who has been trekking for many years now, stories of the mountaineers reaching the summit and their experiences was the motivation behind this expedition, whereas for Jaisukh, it was a test of his mental and physical endurance by giving exposure to the pinnacle of pain, fatigue, weather changes, living conditions, etc, to see if he could do it or not.