The mountains have always meant more to me than just a place to trek; there are some journeys in life that are intended to be shared. They’ve always made me feel at home, and I wanted to spread that wonderful feeling to everyone. A place to connect, contemplate, and grow is the mountains. My affinity for the mountains predates my founding of a trekking club at Kongunadu Arts and Science College, which was the first stage of the Hillers’ journey.
I developed my small community during the last three years. We would go on hikes, challenging ourselves to the utmost while taking in the tranquility and splendor of nature. With my Instagram page and personal blog documenting my trekking adventures, I felt it was time to do more—to bring others along on this journey. Little did I know that this passion would lead me to something greater: creating a space and a community for like-minded adventurers.
Crafting a Vision: My Role as a Founder, Designer and Organizer
Being the creator of Hillers Trekking Club, my goal was to build a community that reflected my love of the outdoors, adventure, and creativity. However, one of the responsibilities of being a founder was not only to guide the club but to create its identity from the bottom up. As a designer and organizer, I took it upon myself to ensure that every part of the club, from its style to its events, reflected the attitude of discovery and progress. I always thought of Hillers Trekking Club as a place where students would be encouraged to push themselves—both mentally and physically.
I created the club’s visual identity as well as the advertising materials for our first significant event in order to accomplish this. In addition to serving as promotional materials, the banners, flyers, and posters were meant to evoke the spirit of adventure and entice viewers to join a greater cause. I accepted the challenge of realizing this vision as the person in charge of organizing the first event. Every aspect of the event, including the music band and the captivating Bharatanatyam dance, was thoughtfully chosen. My goal was to create an event that not only celebrated nature and adventure but also highlighted the importance of community.
From an Idea to Reality
The idea for this club began with me sharing my personal trekking experiences on Instagram and my webpage. Being a mountain nerd, I wanted to share the excitement of trekking and the tranquility of nature with others. So, I approached my Head of Department, Mrs. Kavitha Ma’am of the Psychology Department.
She saw the potential right away and gave us her full support, helping us navigate the more bureaucratic aspects of starting a club. She’s one of those rare educators who genuinely supports everything you do. She also introduced me to Dr. Muthukumar Sir, an assistant professor in the Tamil department who became crucial in the club’s formation. Muthukumar Sir was the driving force behind that success.
His efforts were recognized and commended by both the major guests and the attendance, making him one of the event’s unsung heroes. We worked together to create the club’s structure, and with his guidance, we presented the concept to Vasuki Ma’am, our college secretary. Vasuki Ma’am has been a continual source of encouragement and advice. Her encouragement during the planning phase was vital. Meeting her was a turning moment. Her acceptance for the club’s founding made Hillers Trekking Club’s vision a reality.
Organizing the perfect inaugural event
The much-anticipated Hillers Trekking Club’s maiden event began early for me. Although the event was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., I was up and at the venue by 7 a.m., ensuring that every last detail was in order. We were moving around the auditorium, placing flowers, organizing seats, and testing microphones.
The Hillers Trekking Club banner stood high at the entryway, welcoming the 750 students who had signed up in less than a week. It was a gratifying time to witness the realization of my ambition, surrounded by passionate people who shared my enthusiasm for adventure and the great outdoors. The Masters of Ceremony, Aarthi, Parthiv, Yadhu, Vikram, and Benjamin, led the event with grace and professionalism, ensuring smooth transitions between segments
The Event Begins
The celebration began at 10:15 a.m. with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, which symbolized the club’s objective of lighting a route for future explorers. As I glanced out at the sea of enthusiastic faces, I felt a surge of pride.
The event opened with a Bharatanatyam performance, an elegant demonstration of classical dance that added a touch of history and vitality to the occasion. The dancers glided gracefully, captivating the audience with their rhythms and attitudes.
As the Bharatanatyam performance ended, the scene was set for something quite different: a music band performance by some of our own club members. The shift from the traditional dance to the lively tunes of the band created an exhilarating atmosphere in the auditorium. The crowd was captivated by the pulsating rhythms and dynamic vocals, bringing a modern and energetic flair to the event.
I showed a film that highlighted our fundamental values—nature, adventure, and community—with highlights from previous expeditions and the vision we have for the future. The video grabbed the audience by introducing our goals, the tale of how the club came to be, and our shared passion for the outdoors.
Muthukumar sir, a significant figure in organizing this event, delivered the welcome remarks. In his speech, sir reminded everyone of the club’s humble beginnings and emphasized that, while there are many communities like ours, the Hillers Trekking Club stands out because it fosters a genuine connection with nature and adventure, encouraging students to explore the world beyond textbooks and classrooms.
Following Muthukumar sir’s warm welcome, it was time for Secretary Ma’am Vasuki to deliver the presidential address. Secretary Ma’am, who has been a huge supporter of the club since its inception, took the floor and explained why efforts like the Hillers Trekking Club are so important in today’s academic atmosphere. She described how the group provides students with a respite from their daily routines, allowing them to pursue their interests outside of class.
The principal then offered his congratulations. Our principal, a supporter of extracurricular activities and personal development, took the stage to recognize the effort that had gone into making the club a reality.
Chief Guest Speeches
Following the felicitation, the program transitioned to the much-anticipated principal guest addresses.
I had the honor of welcoming Ganesh Kumar, my mentor and great inspiration. I’ve known Ganesh for over four years, and he’s the one who started my interest in trail running. Our paths crossed during a trip along the Melmudi Trail, a spectacular day that altered my outlook on adventure.
On that trail, I had four pals with me. When Ganesh asked, “Do I run?” I boldly answered yes. His reply was simple: “Let’s go first.” Without hesitation, I started off racing with him, leaving my friends behind. We quickly arrived at a checkpoint, but instead of resting, we turned back to check on my friends. When we spotted them, they were fatigued and struggling with the weight of their bags. Ganesh’s enthusiasm prompted me to take all of their luggage and carry it to the checkpoint myself.
Thanks to Ganesh, I am now completely absorbed in the world of trail running. His accomplishments in cycling, trail running, and skiing continue to impress me. You can learn more about his experience and insights on the Working Athlete podcast and follow his exploits on Instagram: @irunandcycle. His story is extremely inspirational.
When it comes to trekking, nature frequently puts us close to wildlife. That’s why I asked Mini Vasudevan, a well-known animal activist and the founder of the Humane Animal Society (HAS), to our event. The President of India awarded Mini the Nari Shakti Puraskar for her work in animal rescue and rehabilitation.
We met through a vegan community, and I eventually volunteered at her shelter, spending weekends caring for the animals and cleaning the facility. Her love for animals is extremely inspirational. HAS also offers the opportunity to adopt abandoned dogs, giving them a second chance at life. Mini’s presence at our event perfectly complemented our aim of connecting with nature and respecting all of its inhabitants.
I also had the privilege of inviting Manoj Krishna Kumar and Senthil Nallaswamy, both experienced trekkers and inspirational adventurers. Senthil Nallaswamy, an entrepreneur and ardent trekker who has visited numerous places, added a global perspective to the event. His passion for trekking has taken him to some of the world’s most spectacular locations, and his tales of adventure and resilience have captivated the audience.
Manoj Krishna Kumar, the Coimbatore Adventure Club’s joint secretary, has a profound interest in hiking and outdoor adventure. His experience and views have been a source of inspiration for many aspiring travelers, and having him speak at the event was a great highlight. He also happens to be a mutual acquaintance of Mini Vasudevan, resulting in a beautiful bond among our guests.
Manoj Sir said it best: “I’ve never seen an inaugural event like this—from the Bharatanatyam performance to the music band, it was something truly special.“
Having Manoj and Senthil speak at our event offered depth and inspiration, connecting the community with experienced explorers who have walked numerous paths and embraced the spirit of adventure.
To cap our inaugural event, Geoffrey, a valuable part of our organizing team, offered a vote of thanks. His genuine words added the perfect finishing touch to an unforgettable day.
Conclusion
The Hillers Trekking Club’s debut event was a great success, combining adventure and community spirit. The visitors’ enthusiasm and the rich ideas from guest speakers have built a solid platform for future events. As we move forward, our primary goal continues to encourage a love of nature and personal growth. This club is more than simply an organization; it is a vibrant community dedicated to discovery and connection. We are enthusiastic about the voyage ahead and look forward to many more adventures together.