This September, students of Jain International Residential School (JIRS) joined us for a Trek to Kedarkantha. This was their IAYP Bronze Adventurous Journey, a milestone in itself and also their very first Himalayan trek with the Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL).
For many, it was the first time setting foot on a high-altitude trail. From the very first day, the trek called for self-reliance. Students pitched their own tents, carried their gear, and learnt to set up camp in unpredictable mountain weather. They experienced firsthand what it meant to be responsible for themselves and their teams.
Midway through the journey, heavy monsoon rains turned the trails to mud. The easy thing to do would have been to stop and complain. But the JIRS students surprised us. They problem-solved, laying planks to make safe paths at campsites, building stone walkways, and finding joy in every challenge by taking initiative.
At camp, they showed remarkable resourcefulness by quickly pitching tents when the rain eased and adjusting their rhythms to the mountain’s moods. They learnt to make fire in the rain by identifying natural elements in the forest which would not be wet, they also discovered the thrill of cooking their own meals.
These moments of problem-solving and adaptability are the very essence of an Adventurous Journey.
On Summit Day, even the mules struggled on the wet slopes, but the students pressed on. Together, step by step, they made their way as a unified team. The sense of achievement was written on every face, a pride that comes only from having pushed beyond comfort.
After descending, a treasure hunt had them tying splints, navigating with maps, building fires, and working as a team with each student carrying a responsibility.
The Himalayas also gifted them wonder. One night, the skies cleared to reveal the Milky Way. Students lay back on the grass, tracing constellations and learning about zodiac signs through a stargazing activity. At other times, they discovered joy in the simplest things, sharing meals they had cooked themselves, or simply gazing at the vastness of the valleys below.
Perhaps the most beautiful transformation was social. The invisible walls of grades and batches dissolved quickly. By Day Two, juniors and seniors were moving as one group, supporting, encouraging, and laughing together. Some students who had started the trek quiet and hesitant found their voices; others overcame fears that had long held them back.
The JIRS students carried themselves with resilience and curiosity, turning every obstacle into an opportunity to learn.
Their IAYP Bronze Adventurous Journey was a story of growth, of bonds deepened, and of a lasting connection with the mountains.
We feel grateful to have shared this first Himalayan trek with them. And we know this is just the beginning. The outdoors has so much more to offer, and these young trekkers are already ready for what lies ahead.
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