It was an intense 10 days. I can say that now but it doesn’t come close to encapsulating the sheer grit it took to get through the event. I went from spending my days shooting the beautiful sandy shores of Diu in southern Gujarat to freezing in the lofty altitude of the Himalayas. We endured 2 a.m. wake up calls, freezing temperatures and endless stretches of unpaved road. I spent 71 hours in five different vehicles over the course of five days. I was abandoned on Barchla pass, left to find my own way to Leh. At times I was angry, depressed and confused but in the end I think it was worth it. I did get to make some beautiful images.

Here are a few of them, take a look. Watch the slideshow full screen to do the images justice. Slow it down. Take them in.

I’m heading north to cover the Raid De Himalaya for the National with Joshua. I’m a bit about nervous, about the potential of dying of frostbite or succumbing to altitude sickness or generally being unprepared but it should be exciting.

The route is intimidating. Last time I was up in that altitude it took a toll on my mind and body. I’m hoping this time we’ll be different. But as the picture at the top says in the usual broken Indian english “glory comes from daring to begin.”