The Voyage In The Wind...

The evening sky was painted in hues of crimson and vermilion. Standing on the top of Kanchenjunga was a feeling one craved for, with frosty winds caressing one’s senses. I waited until my ride arrived, enjoying the sensation of being nestled among the second-highest mountain peak on earth. The white and the serene environ merged into the glistering sky over the horizon. My ride appeared, suspended in mid-air by the inch-thick steel cable, crowned by layers of snow like the peak my legs rested on.

Descending from Kanchenjunga is like thriving among the clouds. The dense haze that encompassed me felt so tangible, yet so abstract. The drop was 1200 km. below me, separated by just a see-through glass. As a child, I always wondered how the eagles felt, soaring through the cool haze of dusk. The mere feeling of being among them made me euphoric. The solitude among the vastness made the world seem surreal.

As the cable-car descended further, the mist hindered, bringing about a show put up by nature, I was privileged to witness. The flawless, diatonic snow sparkled like the iridescent sky enveloping it. The scanty rays of the sun that filtered in through the misty mesh painted a pale amber over the virgin snow. The expanse deemed like a pool of cotton one would enjoy diving in.

The swaying motion of the cable cars evoked childhood memories. The whole world seemed like a rocking cradle with Mother Nature cradling me, singing a soft lullaby that reverberated through the Kanchenjunga range. The cold breath of Mother Nature and her frosty embrace made me comfortable in her snowy lap.

The river slithered through Kanchenjunga’s heart slicing her icy skin. The river adorned Kanchenjunga like a necklace, shimmering in the evening sky. The rivers gushing sound resonated with the breeze, creating a serene tune. The scintillating chunks of ice floated along the stream like jewels. I noticed vixens wading through the gushing tides resisting the overwhelming flow with their tiny paws and immense strength. Their silky off white fur perfectly camouflaged with the surroundings, and their razor-sharp nails and the ever- staring eyes seemed to threaten any intruders.

The silent, snow-capped guardians watched over its beloved with their tranquil rock faces. I could easily make out blotches of red wandering along the expanse. I wondered what they were- foxes maybe? I opened the bleak glass window and felt rejuvenating breeze brush past my face. I inhaled a prodigious volume of icy air, in an attempt to take as much of Kanchenjunga back home. My senses sharpened and I felt a rush of adrenaline as the smell of snow and the tantalizing aroma of wild primroses overwhelmed me. The dense bouquet of vibrant lavenders and primroses that danced along the river- bed beckoned me to join them in their lonely pirouette.

I soared among the snow frails that glided back to their nest, reassured that the stone-faced ones protected their young ones from the harsh terrain. Over the horizon, the evening sky embraced the azure tides like a lover. I savoured every moment of the ride, trying to amass within my memories, the great riches and pristine beauty nature had to offer. Witnessing the incandescent sight, my mouth gaped in a perfect ‘O’.

The ride finally came to an end, as the cable car halted to a stop. I stepped out, carrying back the souvenirs of the most indelible moment of my life.....