You Should Go To The Mountains

Here's why...

Hey friends,

Greetings from Bangalore, India!

Climbing mountains is an odd sport. Out of the ground rise these massive geographical structures, which people ascend for no justifiable reason. One can’t find tangible value in putting oneself through physical exertion and mortal danger. So many have gone up mountains only to never come back. Some have never been found. Those who return do so from the brink; on mountains above 8000m, your body is dying from the thin air.

Yet, these land masses continue to attract people every year. There is something in the very act of climbing that draws them. Some intangible value makes people sign up for this; maybe it’s something adrift in the air.

I am one of these people, and while I will not dream of ascending 8000m peaks (26,000+ ft), I certainly seek out the mountains. Just last week, I stood atop the Barua Pass at 15,000 ft. UP there, I realised that one of my missions is to connect people to the mountains, be that the Himalayas, Alps, Andes, Arakan Yoma, or any other mountain range. There is something incredibly powerful about these colossal landforms, and I will try to capture that in words.

• The mountains show you how small you are. In our daily lives, bound within four walls, I think we develop this over inflated sense of self importance. But out there, you realise how small you really are. When I’m in the mountains, I feel small, and I think that’s a good thing. We should all be reminded that we’re small beings every now and then.

Try and find me in this photo!

• The mountains holds vast swathes of forests. Because of the hilly terrain, it is harder for ‘development’ to reach the mountains. In the Himalayas, especially in states like Uttarakhand, there are still mountains and mountains of jungle. That’s while I love it so much. You can drive for kilometres and not encounter another house.

Look at the lighting!

• Being in the mountains show you how you can lead a minimalist lifestyle. When you’re trekking and camping in the mountains, every ounce matters. You don’t want to carry things you’re not going to use, because it will just be an additional burden on your back. You use water sparingly (like washing utensils with only a few drops), because you know that it is hard to come by.

• The mountains hold a lot of wildlife! You can probably understand why this is a big draw for me. If you are someone interested in the natural world, the mountains is a great way to engage with nature first hand. While many animals will remain elusive (that’s just how it goes), you’ll see signs of them everywhere. If you’re lucky, you’ll even spot a few.

This is a snow leopard pugmark I came across last week. I put my watch next to it to give you a sense of scale.

• The whole experience of trekking can transform you as a person. Okay, I know this might sound cheesy. But I genuinely can’t describe it in any another way. There is something about the intensity, the scenery, and the shadows of the tallest landmasses that change you as a human being. Don’t believe me? Go to the mountains and see it for yourself.

People might read this and say that I’m romanticizing the mountains. Yes, living in the mountains is hard, only for the most rugged amongst us. But I believe there is more to these landscapes. You must trust me.

Here’s a video from Instagram where I talk about these snow leopard pugmarks I found in the Himalayas. I try to film educational videos about whatever I’m interested in, which I post on social media.

Postcard

The people of the Himalayas are beautiful. Here, a farmer takes a few logs to his house, which he plans to burn to keep himself warm in the frigid temperatures.

Favourite Quote

“There are always graduation speakers who say, “Follow your passion”. And I say, “No, it’s not about your stupid little passion”. It’s about connecting your passion to something higher than yourself. So figure out what that mission is for you.” - Walter Isaacson

Have a creative, wild and inspiring week!

If you’re new, welcome to The Owlet! My name is Ishan Shanavas, and I am an Artist, Photographer, Writer and Student of the Natural World.

Here I talk about my work, along with curating the most interesting ideas on the internet. I confine them to topics like Nature, Culture, Photography, and Art but often fall prey to other genres.

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