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Defying all the myths and taboos, we see people making and breaking exceptions daily. Still, whenever we come across such a feat or drive, we cannot help but appreciate the motive that keeps those going.
Traveling is one such feat. Few of us travel for an escape, few out of passion and few out of living; then there comes the breed who travels to live happily. Some of the travel nomads can’t see the world where they don’t get to travel every once in a while. They need to break the cocoon of the daily hustle and seek solace in nature’s lap.
Alka Ketkar: The Trek Aficionado
This story is about Alka Ketkar who loves mountains. Before we introduce Alka who, believe us, is no less than an extraordinary personality; you should know that she’s been serving in the Indian Police Force since all her adult age. Hailing from the cozy Bhopal, defying the norms is her attitude since the beginning.
Whether it is choosing to live with parents and not getting married or scaling the heights of the mountains which people only dream to reach someday, she is a rockstar of her own league. “She never got married as she wanted to take care of us”, mentions her mother.
With such a humble heart and a mountain like will, Alka has a dream to scale Mt. Everest on the very next opportunity that she can bag. “She is trekking since the age of 23 and have never looked back”, states her father. Adding to that he mentions, “My daughter is physically fit to scale Mt. Everest.”
The Travel Feat: The Everest Base Camp
Alka Ketkar, a 52-year young female constable serving in the Bhopal Police force got the chance to visit the Everest Base Camp in March, 2018. Alka, who relates herself very close to the religion, believes immensely in Lord Shiva and hence scaling Mt. Everest is her dream feat.
Bhopal Police Department also came forward and sanctioned her a month-long leave on the terms that she has to bear her own expenses. Well, Alka was all ready for that. She took the opportunity wholeheartedly and enrolled herself in the Thrillophilia’s Everest Base Camp itinerary.
In the Indian society, although the perception is changing, women still are considered as the weaker beings in comparison to their male counterparts. Women like Alka challenges that norm every day and her feat to put her foot on the Everest Base Camp at the age of 52 just proves it once again.
The Everest Base Camp Itinerary
The itinerary of reaching the Everest Base Camp is not for the faint-hearted as it involves all the tests that nature can put on you before you reach your destination. Alka braved every challenge graciously.
She started her journey on 1st March when she landed in Kathmandu, where after taking a pause and briefing, she along with her group and Sherpa, left for Lukla. From their, the group trekked the Everest Base Camp in the course of the next 10-days. Alka, along with her group trekked to Phakding (2610 m), Namche Bazar (3441 m), Tengboche (3860 m), Dingboche (4410 m), Lobuche (4910 m), Gorakshep (5153 m) to reach the Everest Base Camp (5364 m).
Alka recalls, “We used to start our day around 8 AM and wrap before 3 PM on the usual days when the weather would be clear”. She emphasizes that the clear weather in mountains is a short affair and it promptly changes post noon, hence one should always follow their trekking lead and be punctual on the times specified.
The group then trekked via the Everest Base Camp to Gorakshep (5153 m) and then to the highest point of the journey, Kalapatthar (5545 m) and then began their retreat trek to Lukla, while covering Lobuche (4940 m), Tengboche (3860 m), Monjo (2835 m) to finally Lukla (2800 m).
“Upon reaching the Everest Base Camp, all I could think was – When I’ll get to scale the Mt. Everest?”, Alka smilingly puts it.
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Alka and Her Trek Marvels
Her faith in Lord Shiva has already driven her to successfully complete her Kailash Mansarovar (6,638 mts) trip for more than 8 times. “I’ve explored Kailash Mansarovar from both Uttarakhand and Nepal region”, Alka mentions, with a sparkle in her eyes.
Along with Kailash Mansarovar, she has also been to Shrikand Kailash (5,162 mts) and Adi Kailash (6,191 mts) in the past. “I want to explore Mt. Everest from all possible regions”, she says.
Prior to the Everest Base Camp, Alka has already been to Vaishno Devi, a Hindu pilgrimage, over 40 times. Religious folks in India wish to visit the holy temple of Vaishno Devi once in their lifetime, whereas Alka has already been to the temple more than 40-times at an age where most of the elderly opt for retirement plans.
Upon asking, Alka mentioned that when you are on a trek, it is of utmost importance that you give your body the time to adapt to the weather. You should not rush yourself and should always listen to your body. Also, she says that your lead on the trek knows the things better than you and hence you should try and do exactly what they ask you to.
“One of the things I miss about my trip to the Everest Base Camp is the amazing weather”, she says, upon asking about one thing that she misses about the trip.
Whilst our conversation she also mentioned that if you are taking any altitude trek, you should start with short walks and move onto longer walks before you actually take the trek. She added, “once you are on the trip, you should watch what you eat, as it plays a crucial role”.
Stories like that of Alka Ketkar drives us to set the benchmark of our travel packages exciting and affordable at the same time for everyone to explore. It is hard enough to decide on breaking the hustle and choosing to ensconce for a while in nature’s lap. Choosing your next vacation should never be this hard. We at Thrillophilia salute the passion of Alka and all of you who defy and create benchmarks every day.
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