60 for 60 Inspiration: Mayo College, India

For Mayo College in India, there was only one way to mark Round Square’s 60th Anniversary and the 60 for 60 Adventure Challenge: head to the mountains.

Over three expeditions in Uttarakhand, students trekked through some of the most breathtaking and demanding terrain in the Himalayas. No two journeys were the same, and no two groups came back the same either.

For many students, the trek to Mukta Top was a first encounter with the Himalayan wilderness and a first real adventure. Climbing through pine, oak and rhododendron forests to a summit of 11,800 feet, they discovered that adventure is not the absence of difficulty, but the decision to keep going when things become challenging.

On the Surya Top expedition, students covered 35 kilometres through forests and alpine meadows to reach 12,900 feet. Along the way, they cooked their own meals, pitched tents in demanding conditions and learned to solve problems together. They also demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship, carrying out everything they brought onto the mountain and collecting litter left behind by others.

The third expedition, to Pangarchulla Summit and Kuari Pass, provided the greatest test. After months of preparation, students faced long days, high altitude and challenging terrain on one of the most demanding treks in the Garhwal Himalayas. All fifteen students reached the 15,000-foot summit.

As Grade 12 student Aditya reflected: “Six years of Himalayan trails led me to Pangarchulla. Every other summit felt like I was testing myself. This one felt like the mountain was testing me back. The altitude hit harder than I expected; the snow made every step uncertain, and there were moments when my body told me to stop. But that is exactly why I go. You don’t find out who you are on a comfortable day.”

These expeditions were made possible through a partnership between the Round Square Society and the Mountaineering and Trekking Society of Mayo College, combining technical expertise with a commitment to the Round Square IDEALS.

Expedition Summary

• Mukta Top – 16 students and 4 teachers trekked from Kuflon Base Camp to a summit of 11,800 ft.
• Surya Top – 19 students and 3 teachers completed a 35 km trek from Barsu Base Camp, reaching 12,900 ft.
• Pangarchulla Summit & Kuari Pass – 15 students and 2 teachers tackled one of the Garhwal Himalayas’ most demanding routes, reaching 15,000 ft.