Those who travel to the mountain tops are half in love with themselves and half in love with -The Oblivion !! 

In awe of the name, its difficulty level, and the excitement of crossing Khangchendzonga National park by walk made Goecha La the number one on my to-do high altitude trek list. Having done Roopkund before, I was well aware of the level of preparation I needed for a trek of this level, but at the same time, I was expecting the unexpected because mountains are mysterious and each one of them is different. Goecha La, unlike Roopkund, was incredibly long, and it tested our patience and will power in a much more stringent way.

But, regardless of all the hardships, now when I am back to my cubicle after those long hours of  “excruciating” walks through the colourful rhododendrons, dreamy tall pines, the bold and the beautiful oaks, the scary big rocks, the beautiful curvy brooks, the steep slopes, and the glaring snow-covered majestic mountain peaks, I can so very well understand the quote that says, “Between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery WHY we climb.”