The Deoriatal-Chandrashila Trek was my first high-altitude Himalayan trek - 6 days of pushing physical limits, clearing mental space. and rediscovering what really matters.
But, this wasn't just a trek. It was a mission.
A mission to represent the brand 3DEXCITE and Dassault Systèmes I believe in - not just with a logo, but through action.
From Day 1, I wore our colors proudly. At the summit, I recorded a video showing our software running smoothly - even in the cold, thin air of 12,083 feet.
PS - I got reliable 5G signal some 200 meters below the summit. The video is recorded at that location.
But the moment I'm most proud of?
Our team of 24 trekkers collectively carried 5 kilograms of trash back down. We were given Eco bags to collect plastic (yellow colored in the photo above). Leaving our mountains better than they are!
A small act, but a strong reminder: Sustainability isn't just a principle. It's a practice.
A Glimpse of the Journey
Day 1 - Drive from Rishikesh to Sari Base Camp (6,560 feet)
We practiced sustainable trekking principles like using sawdust to wash utensils, renting gear instead of buying new, promoting local traditional food & recipes over the "ready-to-cook" city food we are used to.
Day 2 - Trek from Sari to Deoriatal (7,841 feet)
We trekked along a well-defined but steep rocky trail, gaining altitude quickly. The lake is called Deoriatal, because it's believed that devis (goddesses) once came here to take a dip.
Day 3 - Trek from Deoriatal to Syalmi (7,600 feet) via Rohini Bugyal (Meadow)
The day began with a steep ascent to Jhandi Top - the highest point of Sari village - followed by a picturesque trail through the dense forest of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, rich with rhododendron and maple trees. The final stretch to our campsite included a sharp 2.5 km descent.
Day 4 - Trek from Syalmi to Baniya Kund (8,520 feet)
The day began with crossing the Akash Kamini river, followed by a gradual ascent through a series of three scissor bends. We were hoping for rain - and it rained. When the weather cleared, the scenery was mesmerizing. You could see the awe on our team's faces as we saw the Greater Himalayas with such clarity for the first time.
Day 5 - Summit Day (8,520 feet to 12,083 feet)
The big day: our summit to Chandrashila. We began the treacherous ascent at 3:30 am, climbing in the dark. At sunrise, the alpenglow on Mt.Chaukhamba was a breathtaking sight to behold. On the way to the summit lies Tungnath - the highest Shiva temple in the world.
Day 6 - Drive back from Sari to Rishikesh
We often talk about the impact, purpose, and performance in boardrooms and brainstorms. But this trek brought all threee into sharp focus - on the trail, in the snow, and in every wrapper we picked up.
There were moments I questioned my limits.
The terrain was tough, the air was thin, and the body didn't always agree with the mission. But I kept going - step by step, fueled by belief in what I was representing.
I came down from the mountain a little tired, a little lighter (thanks to the trash we cleared 😀).... and a lot more grounded. More connected to what we do. And even more committed to why we do it.
Here's to being part of Dassault Systèmes and 3DEXCITE - a brand that doesn't just talk sustainability - but lives it, one summit at a time.
