11-Year Old Girl Conquers The Mighty Bali Pass At 16,200 Ft.

Trekking fever is sweeping across India, and it's not just adults who are catching it. In a remarkable display of determination and enthusiasm, a 11-year-old girl and her 16-year-old brother from Uttarakhand, along with their father, have successfully traversed the formidable Bali Pass. This high-altitude Himalayan trek, peaking at 16,200 feet, was no small feat, but the family emerged triumphant after a thrilling seven-day journey through the Govind Pasu Vihar National Park in the Garhwal Himalayas, culminating in their arrival at Yamunotri on June 8, 2024. Their adventure was expertly organized by Mountbuzz Pvt Ltd, a mountain-focused tour operator. The trek was not just about reaching the summit; it was a holistic experience that included sustainability practices, experiential learning, team-building activities, and skill development. The young adventurers participated in yoga, tent-pitching, and group tasks, all under the watchful eyes of seasoned professionals.

For 11-year-old Usha Pathak, this was her first taste of high-altitude trekking. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she shared, "I really enjoyed the trip to Bali Pass. It was really beautiful, and I want to thank my father for taking me there. I want to do more treks in the future as I love the mountains. I have learned how to pitch a tent and also how to do river-crossing!” Her older brother Divakar, at 16, found the experience equally exhilarating and educational. Reflecting on the trek, he said, “This was our second trek with Mountbuzz, and it was full of adventure. We had a lot of fun and I got to learn so much about the mountains. We saw Mount Swargarohini, Black Peak, Bandarpoonch, and many other notable Himalayan peaks. We were given valuable information about mountain behavior, hazards and safety, waste management, survival lessons, and the dos and don’ts of high-altitude trekking. I look forward to becoming a mountaineer and climbing Mt. Everest one day.”

Expedition leader Mr. Aritra Mahapatra, a certified mountain climber, emphasized the importance of preparation and safety. “We are very specific about the acclimatization process and the safety measures. My team of tested mountaineers goes the extra mile to ensure each trekker’s safety during adventure tours. With the right attitude, everything is possible. We want to make adventure safely and easily available to people of all ages, in a sustainable way. Through our outbound training programs, high-altitude expeditions, and trekking, we are trying to water the plants from an early age, by unlocking new doors of opportunities in the outdoors. Being a proud alumni of Sainik School, Purulia, and a mountaineer, I have understood how important it is for a kid to be mentally, physically, psychologically, and socially fit before going out to achieve his/her dreams. And there is no better teacher than the mountains. We are very happy that all the members successfully crossed the pass in great health. We hope that everyone, especially the kids, benefited from the entire process.”

Their father, Mr. Prakash, beamed with pride and gratitude as he thanked the organizing team. “As a father and a teacher, I wish the best for my children. I am a nature-lover, and I want my kids to be able to connect with nature and learn how to respect the environment. I believe that we as parents must take our children out to the wilderness so that they become more independent and self-reliant in the future and understand the values of resource management and time management. I was confident about my kids as well as the trek leader, Aritra Mahapatra, who once again proved to be the right person. I am deeply thankful to the entire team and look forward to joining them in my next adventure.”