Sign up for this trek to help visually challenged trekking enthusiasts experience the Western Ghats

When you stand atop Mount Kalsubairsquos summit the highest peak in the Sahyadris the sky changes shades in layers The clouds drift close enough to touch those who have been there will vouch Sunsets we hear are to die for Yet on a trek last month a group saw none of it Guided by the Blinds Who Trek community 10 visually impaired trekkers discovered the magic of the Western Ghats through the breeze echoes and the diverse terrainldquoEven though Irsquoll never know how a waterfall looks I can now tell you how water sounds when it falls from different heights I can recognise the fragrance of newly blossoming trees and bushes or the nostalgic smell that emanates from wet soilrdquo says Nikhil Bhalerao who was rendered visually impaired when he was one year old Bhalerao recalls feeling unseen among his friends who would have stories of their school trips to parks and forts Maharashtrarsquos rich natural history he now reminds us is for everyone to enjoyMira Roadbased trekker Siddesh Nayak has been meticulously planning these treks both on and off field ldquoIn 2018 I was pursuing my Masterrsquos degree in Marketing As part of a college workshop my professor asked us to spotlight one communication pitfall in the city that needed a solution My mind immediately skipped to the many visually impaired commuters I had observed at Dadar railway station During peak hours some of them would stumble even fall to the ground There was no help at handrdquo the 31yearold recalls The project sparked a commitment to give the visually impaired a dignified life he saysAlfiya Memon right with her guideThe community functions through a WhatsApp group of volunteers passionate about the mountain range On a trek each participant is usually paired with a volunteer who becomes their eyes for the day ldquoThese volunteers are experienced trekkers but more importantly theyrsquore patient and caring human beingsrdquo Nayak points out The many shades of blue meeting each other over mighty peaks is conveyed to the participants through words Unlike most busy Mumbaikars this group does in fact have all day The Kalsubai trek that usually takes six hours to finish is extended to 12 hours to accommodate the special needsSiddesh Nayak centre with a group of trekkersldquoBeing visually challenged I was always surrounded by protection I had to take the leap of faith with a trek to Sudhagad near Punerdquo says Alfiya Memon who joined a trek this year Ask her for her fondest memory from the climb which she summited by the way and itrsquos not the cold wind blowing through her hair or the sound of raindrops 2000 ft above sea level ldquoAt one point in the climb I had given up My peers relentlessly motivated me to get back up The memory of reaching the top and hearing everyone cheer for me will stay with me foreverrdquo she recallsA senior participant lays on grass for a fully tactile experienceAhead of the next trek at Harishchandragad this weekend Nayak is counting on Mumbaikars to step up to the cause ldquoWe need volunteers in large numbers to help expand our avenues Because we operate on a slim noprofitnoloss model we cannot afford to pay muchrdquo he ruesHelp comes in many shapes and forms for the group At the Sudhagad trek where Memon had reached her first summit it was humanity that peaked ldquoA group of young trekkers behind us was visibly confused and irked by how slow we were moving One of them reluctantly came forward to see what the commotion was When they realised we were with visually impaired individuals they all joined in and we became one large grouprdquo he reminisces before signing offON December 6 7MEETING POINT Revealed on enquiryLOG ON TO blinds_who_trek for queries and registrations