By Kavitha Jothikumar
The winding mountain paths, the rhythm of boots against gravel, the whisper of pines in the wind and the occasional gurgling of the streams—trekking is no ordinary journey. It is a personal transformation wrapped in layers of sweat, grit, and unfiltered joy. What began as a solo leap of faith into the Himalayan wilderness has evolved into a way of life. With every trek—from the Nethravalli Forests to the snowy trails of Chandrashila—I’ve learned that nature isn’t just a place to visit. It’s the finest classroom there is.
Lesson 1: Preparation Builds Confidence—but Nature Still Surprises You
My first high-altitude trek in Uttarakhand was more than a bucket list tick—it felt like a long-overdue conversation with the Himalayas. I trained for weeks, building lung power, strength, and belief. I packed dreams heavier than my backpack, but no training could prepare me for the magic of standing before the Yamunotri and Gangotri ranges, crowned in silence, and alive in a way only the mountains can be. The mountains remind you—your preparation matters, but your humility matters more.
Lesson 2: Fitness is Freedom
Trekking isn’t just about endurance; it’s about freedom of body and spirit. Carrying your own load, pacing yourself through changing terrains, feeling your calves burn and your breath shorten—it humbles you. But it also emboldens you. The mountain doesn’t reward speed, but the steady steps of determination.
Lesson 3: Leadership Means Looking Back, Too
I began solo but never walked alone. Trekking with strangers turned into moving as a team—sharing supplies, stories, and silent encouragement. As a teacher, I’m used to leading from the front. But the trail taught me to lead from the end, to check in on the last person, to encourage fellow climbers, and to celebrate small milestones of the weakest.
Lesson 4: Less is More
The trail teaches you to strip life down to the essentials. One backpack, a reusable bottle, and a hand towel drying in the sun—these become treasures. You learn to live with less, and in doing so, feel more. Simplicity becomes a quiet luxury, reminding you that abundance isn’t found in possessions but in presence.
I’ve realised that happiness doesn’t come from having a million things—it comes from a mountain, a moment, and a little madness. In letting go of the excess, you make space for what truly matters.
Lesson 5: Learning Goes Beyond Classrooms
Trekking teaches what textbooks don’t: grit, patience, adaptability, and empathy. You learn to listen to your body, manage your fears, and trust others. These trails shape character in ways no boardroom or blackboard can.
Lesson 6: Live Light, Tread Soft
The trail demands awareness of what you use, what you waste, and how you move. You become conscious of your impact. There’s a quiet discipline in consuming less, leaving no trace, and walking gently. Long after the trek ends, this awareness lingers, gently nudging you to live lighter, cleaner, and more gratefully, even off the trail.
Lesson 7: Clarity Comes with Altitude
I return from every trek not just with stunning photos, but with something intangible—clarity. When you’re off the grid, away from notifications and noise, you hear yourself better. For me, trekking isn’t an escape from life; it’s a deep dive into it. Each trek is a reminder that discomfort often precedes discovery. And when I return to school, to my students, to the business of the classroom, I return recharged. I return with stories that spark curiosity. I return as a better version of myself.
The trail continues across the Kashmir Great Lakes, the Bhramatal, Panch Kedar, and beyond. Every climb teaches something new, every descent reveals something within. As long as my legs carry me, I’ll keep learning from the mountains—one step, one summit, one lesson at a time.
Because in the end, trekking doesn’t just transform your body. It transforms your perspective.
It doesn’t just take you up a hill. It grounds you.
It’s not just a sport. It’s a way of life.
And yes—it is the best school I’ve ever been to.
Kavitha Jothikumar – Academic Coordinator – CS Academy International, Erode.