Knot in the hills

Into the wild

It’s a common saying that marriages are made in heaven but little do people realise that they can meet their partners in the wilderness too. After all, trekking and travelling with your soulmate and living amidst nature can be nothing short of a romantic experience.

A journey often blesses one with a bouquet of memories and a number of stories to tell the world.

For many in the city, it’s the story of how they met their partner that they often recall. They make a new friend (who later becomes their soulmate) when they go trekking through an organisation or even while undertaking a solo trip. And most couples unanimously agree that nature has played a huge role in strengthening their bond; for, out in the wild, people generally show their true selves to each other and don’t hide their inherent qualities under any garb of pretence.

Manali, an avid trekker, says that she has found an increase in the number of trekkers who join trekking groups as they wish to make new friends. She says, “On a trek, one can make friends in the wildest and most random situations. In a group, the stranger who saves you while you’re falling off a cliff or about to slip, can turn out to be your best friend. I run a small software company and I see many employees going for treks through trekking groups. I also encourage them to go on trips with their spouses before marriage as the bonding happens at a deeper level.”

She met her husband, Ashwin, on a trek in 2003. They got to know each other and became friends when they took part in a number of activities such as tree plantation drives and waste management projects that involved the outdoors. “Nature does help one get to know somebody at a deeper level, even if they don’t intend to.”

Similarly, professional Gopal Kishore met his wife Smitha when the duo trekked from Kodaikanal to Munnar with the Youth Hostels Association of India. He says, “We weren’t supposed to meet but I guess destiny had another plan. She was part of another group and ended up in mine because there were not enough people in hers.

Interestingly, the village has this tradition where one has to remove their footwear outside the village and walk barefoot all across. The trek was challenging enough. I never keep in touch with my trekking buddies later. However, after having taken care of Smitha during the trek, I realised I wanted to take care of her forever!” He credits the outdoors for strengthening their relationship.

“The fact that we were together in a challenging environment forced us to be completely natural and not at our best behaviour. It helped us understand each other’s real nature. The long duration of the trek resulted in the sharing of several details that we usually keep to ourselves. Nature brings out one’s true self and when someone else sees that and decides that it’s what they really want, then that is the perfect match.” 

While it’s a great sign that trekkers are increasing in order to meet new friends and find their soulmate, this shouldn’t be the only reason for someone to go on a trek. Gopal adds, “I recommend trekking to everyone, not because they can find their perfect soulmate but because they can discover themselves. If someone likes the outdoors, there are high chances that they will find someone with similar interests and wavelength. I recommend that everyone should try trekking solo as well as in groups, whatever the intention. If their intention is to only find a partner, nature will ensure that they find other things as well.”

     Hitesh, the founder of trekking group ‘Nirvana Nomads’, says, “I met my wife Megha, on a surfing trip in Kodaikanal around 2012. Travel did work its magic and we kept in touch and developed a special bond. However, people shouldn’t go on treks for this reason only. There is so much more to travel than just finding a partner. If it happens, it’s special.”