Footprints on the Mountainside

Go on, ask - why would someone who does this regularly find it an adventure? Its all in the logistics.

On the first September, which is last week (I’m always late with these things) Raka and I accompanied a group from Cleartrip.com that we were sending for a day’s outing on the river Kundalika, and the region around Nagothane.

Considering that the booking numbers fluctuated all the time, and we had multiple pick up points, I just had one of those feelings. Raka and I were due for a break anyway, so we went along for the ride.

The morning pickups were predictably a nightmare and we managed to get out of Mumbai at a record breaking 6:30 with me praying constantly that the water held. White water for the rafting is really a matter of being at the right place and right time, as the Rafting depends on the release of water from the Bhire Dam, further up the valley in the direction of the Tamhini Ghat.

The group was excited and quick on their nerves and it was a mission to keep people moving fast (like it always is with high energy groups). With a few pick ups and some miscommunication, we caught the tail end of the water and I heaved a sigh of relief to see the participants depart on their rafts at the starting point.

This is when I really stopped worrying and caught up with the moment. As always, this region is a pleasure to be in, and it was my trip to catch up with people. I was visiting the Kamath Residency resort after quite a few months, my rafting field staff after even more, and to top it all, I happened to run into Brig. Sushil Bhasin of Empower Camps right there near the rafting equipment, as he drove by with some guests.

For a moment, I wondered idly, if Raka and I should simply hijack one of the vehicles and go ahead to visit Garudmachi - the High Places campsite - who knew who else we could meet out there? Instead, we chose to arrive at the ending point of the river run early and wait for the group to arrive and spent a nice hour watching the tiny fish nibble at the banks and clouds doing their best to impress us with added impressions of peace.

A couple of groups who had left earlier arrived, and I met yet another old friend - a rafting instructor I used to know as Kumar when he was a straggly youth figuring out this job, when we did the pilot run for this route 3 years ago. Now, he looks totally classy with a low ponytail and all that. Honestly, i hadn’t recognized him at all until he came up and shook hands.

Soon, out group came, and it was time to go back to the resort for a well deserved lunch and some lazing around.

Then, we left for a waterfall nearby, and managed to get thoroughly confused by the route and our own mismanaged communications, and out hike to the waterfall turned into quite an adventurous and highly enjoyable hike in the area of the waterfall. It was good fun. Particularly considering that the rain at lunch time had made all the flowing water too muddy to appeal in any case.

On the way back, we hooked up with an online friend of mine - Abhijit Rao and we went over to his place to continue into a weekend celebration that didn’t end until Monday evening.

All in all, one of my not-smooth bits of management, but a fun day even then. And yes, I’m planning to upload pictures, and it isn’t my usual “one day” scenario either. The thing is, I’m waiting for some pictures from Ameya Salvi. Its a new excuse this time.

Update: Some photos from my mobile are up, and can be found here. Ameya is also planning to upload his photos here (one fine day)

Add to your favourites

One of my freelancers was just enjoying a cup of tea with me during some spare time on a programme. He wanted some advice, and I had all the time in the world, unless something went wrong, so we plunged into the subject.

He had been offered a job with another company and was wondering if he should be taking it. He does some freelance work with Hills and Trails, Wild country Learning, us, OET, and some other companies as well, and earns, (like most other free lance outbound resource people in India) in a very erratic manner. A good month is riches and luxury and some months are a step away from being very badly broke. Not that it isn’t the same with any self employed person, but I find this particularly of concern in the outdoor adventure industry in India.

The salary offered in this case was pitiful, but it would be guaranteed every month. On the other hand, this boy would lose his freedom to choose jobs that he liked, paid well or even helped him learn and develop. It was a tough decision.

Most Indians are not too aware of adventure tourism, and even those aware of it are not always happy to pay big money. Most adventure businesses do reasonably well, but the pool of freelancers we mint our fortunes on, are not as lucky. Some of us are now taking care to offer better rates, more reliable working relationships, some security, etc.

But on the whole, an adventure instructor in India, is leading a life with its economy also in a desperate rescue scenario.

Most such people are more into the business as it doesn’t require any specific qualifications or skills beyond those they can earn on the job. So they aren’t always equipped to have any other profession. They are in a physically demanding profession, and even barring accidents, very few can work in the field as they grow older. They need to be able to figure out other ways of sustaining and providing for their futures, which is something that doesn’t really seem to occur to them.

Not having the benefits of a regular income, or investments through the work place, there is also no source of back up for money. Hardly any invest in any sizeable life insurance, medical insurance or even basic “nest-eggs” for emergencies.

I suggested the best I could. I asked him to tell his new employer that the amount offered was really low, and he couldn’t accept it, unless he was allowed to accept bookings from other companies on the days when the company employing him did not require him. In my opinion, he should have asked for a basic amount per month, with an additional smaller amount calculated according to the number of days he spent in the field. This is what I offer my regulars. Unfortunately, his new employer wouldn’t have allowed that, and I don’t have vacancies.

I hope things work out for him.

Add to your favourites