My first exposure to adventure was as part of a cycling trip from Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) to Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), which was followed by a course in Basic Mountaineering, at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling. This left me hooked to adventure, and gave me the adrenaline rush that we have all experienced at one time or the other! One thing led to another and I joined the Army, a move that changed everything for me. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have received wonderful opportunities to pursue my dreams and, also, to learn, participate in, teach and plan a host of adventure activities in India and abroad. This includes about 20 mountaineering expeditions - including four 8000ers; skiing expeditions to Greenland, Svalbard, the South Pole, and an attempt on the North Pole; rafting in nine Indian rivers (Alaknanda, Zanskar, Indus, Beas, Bhagirathi, Spiti, Teesta, Saraswati and, of course, Ganges); parachuting and skydiving; sailing in the open seas, and scuba diving in the Maldives, Thailand, on the UAE-Oman border, and, closer home, in Goa, Netrani island (near Murudeshwara), Lakshadweep and the Andamans. Adventure has given me the best friends and, more importantly, a zest for life .