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"What are you running away from?"

I see this question asked to many people including myself.

And I can see why someone would ask it.

Because travel, at its very core, *is* a form of escape.

Our ancestors traveled to escape harsh weather and conditions in search of greener pastures.

The modern holiday is typically a two-week beach break that allows us "to get away from it all".

I can see how someone could come to the conclusion that a full-time traveller might just be extending their "getaway" into infinity, pursuing a very extreme kind of escapism.

Funnily enough, for me, this travel lifestyle has never been about running *from*. In fact, it's always been about running *towards*.

Since leaving my old life behind in 2019, I have been seeking something. Searching far and wide. For something.

Five years on, I still don't know what that thing is, exactly. Maybe it's more than one thing.

Whenever I am in a place that sings to my heart, I think to myself that I have been searching for home, and finally I have found it.

Whenever I gasp in awe, I think to myself I have been searching for wonder - and found it.

Sometimes, I find meaning. Other times, I find a new piece of myself. Or a simple but overwhelming feeling.

I find friends, I find new layers to life, I find new thoughts and philosophies and priorities and nuance.

And I don't think I ever want to stop searching.

The search is long, as long as life.

And you don't have to travel in order to seek. Travel just makes the search feel more intense, more in-your-face.

The search is within us, just as our mind is within us.

So as I continue to seek - that thing, those things, everything - I suppose I am also running away from something.

Travelling or not, I'm running away from complacency and staleness and indifference and a sense of settling for easy answers.

Instead, I'm running towards something I don't know. The great, expansive unknown, the possibility of forever-becoming, that I may never find.

The search is the journey. And the journey goes on, as long as we live.

📷 @prachiiiiiii____

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A Simple Guide to Gumbok Rangan, Shinku La and Zanskar Valley

There are still so many places in our country that remain unknown to most people. Places that less than 1% of the population have probably visited.

Zanskar Valley is one of them.
And it has recently become much more accessible.

If you want to explore it yourself, reach Manali, rent a bike, take your car or hire a cab and head towards Shinku La. From Manali, Gumbok Rangan is around 5–6 hours if you go non-stop.

The route itself is an experience. You cross the Atal Tunnel, Sissu, Keylong, Darcha and then climb up to Shinku La, which is almost 16,500 ft.
Shinku La connects Lahul valley of Himachal Pradesh to Zanskar Valley of Ladakh.

And the moment you start descending from Shinku La, something very special happens.

You keep descending without even realising that you are getting closer and closer to Gumbok Rangan Mountain itself. And as soon as you descend and turn your head around, you suddenly see this massive mountain standing all alone behind you.

Gumbok Rangan is often referred to as “God’s Mountain”, and when you see it standing there by itself, you understand why.

It is huge, beautiful and completely different from the landscape around it. You descend down at around 14,000 ft, and just being there makes you stop and look for a while.

And then there is Phuktal Monastery, around 40 km ahead. You will pass through several beautiful villages like Kargyak, where you will find yourself thinking, “I could just stay here.”

Phuktal honestly reminded me of Bhutan’s Tiger’s Nest. Built deep inside the mountains and caves, away from everything, and incredibly peaceful.

The landscape of Zanskar is something else.
Huge mountains, barren valleys, different colours and a sense of remoteness that is difficult to explain until you see it yourself.

The route usually becomes accessible once Shinku La opens, so June to September is a good window to plan this journey.

Continued in comments...

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Would you rather post on social media or run off to a mountain?

That's a serious question.

I have been spending a lot of time on social media. I suspect I may be addicted to my phone (100+ pickups a day, according to the Screen Time app, sounds pretty compulsive).

I am not the only one. Average kids spend 5h a day just on social media. Platforms like Instagram have been shown to have a negative impact on our mental health: we feel less worthy, more lonely and isolated.

As for me, the more time I spend on my phone, the more I feel like I'm throwing precious moments of my life away. The Reels and Stories I've just spent an hour watching? I can't recall what they were even about. The value is non-existent.

And with all of that in mind, I put on my "Outdoor Leader" hat and post content to my audience. The irony is not lost on me. In fact, it may just be one of the central conflicts of my entire existence.

Would I rather be contributing to the problem of social media or run to a mountain?

It's come to the point where I feel guilty every time I post anything to Instagram, because I feel like I am stealing YOUR time.

I know that many of you may not feel this way, and that you're free to unfollow creators, close the app or delete your account. Still.

Wouldn't we rather be outside, looking into the distance, laughing with friends, feeling alive in the way humans have felt alive for hundreds of thousands of years before social media came along?

I know I would.

But the reason I still post, despite the guilt and the choking sense of hypocrisy, is because I hope that some of my content becomes a trigger for someone:

Maybe my stories will help someone get off the couch. Maybe my camping posts will convince someone to go spend a night in a tent for the first time.

And so, less than before, and more reluctantly every time, but I still post.

I would love to hear from you: is this something you also struggle with? Have you found a solution?

Photos from my recent trek to Chandrabhaga Glaciers, Kyatso and Gasto Lakes near Baralacha la in Himachal Pradesh

PC: @jogeshh_

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@_theyogiclife discusses her experience as a through hiker in india. The challenges and rewards that come with the adventure.Amongst other hurdles, affordable gear is one of the biggest in india. Prohub is helping her and many other people like her in the adventure space by making gear accessible and affordable.
Check the Link in Bio.

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No one's talking about them!
Someone should
Prohub is live! a private buying club for Indian sports professionals to cut their annual spend on supplements & gear by over 40%. Link in Bio

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Riding in Heaven for sure😝

Riding at Rohtang Pass📍

📽️ @prashantbhatt_ / @unfensoutdoors

#adventure #mountains #outdoors

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Privilege or Hard work?

I guess privileged enough to be able to work hard 🙏🏻🙌🏻

📽️ :- @unfensoutdoors / @prashantbhatt_

#reels #trend #IndianAthletes #mountains

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Don't let your passion die due to dying gear. Replace it at the earliest from @prohubindia at the most affordable prices you can imagine. No hidden costs or fees. Absolutely FREE and only for people working in the adventure industry.
Link in Bio.

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Link in bio!
How to tell if it's safe to go trekking or not?!

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The best course to get yourself started in the adventure space.

Check out @haniflcentre

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Tried out @tripolegears 45L rucksack and their head torch recently. Honestly didn’t go in with expectations, but the pack feels solid and sits really well even when stuffed.
The head torch has become my go to for early trail runs. super light, great beam and doesn’t bounce around. Didn’t think I’d switch my old one, but here we are.
If you’re a runner looking to upgrade without burning a hole in your pocket, these are worth checking out — not a paid post, just something that genuinely worked for me.
Check out prohubindia.com if you are a professional athelete like me.

#travelgear #backpack #tripole #unfensoutdoors

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