Above 14000ft | Mission | Values | Why Us? | Risk Management | Responsible Travel Policy

Rinku (Rajender Sharma) and I have known each other since 2000 when we were both running a mountaineering course at WHMI, Manali. He was from the hills of Narkanda and I was from the plains. But both of us were (and are) passionate about climbing and mountains. Of course, we hit it off instantly. Rinku has climbed various peaks all over the Himachal and Uttarakhand - Bara Shigri, CB 13, CB 14, Menthosa, Joanli, Fray Peak, Hanuman Tibba, Deo Tibba to name a few. Soft-spoken and quick to laugh, you will always find him humming an old Hindi tune while walking or cooking in camps.

Rinku's wife, Sushma is from Manali and a mountaineer herself. Arghan Kangri, Gangotri I, Nun, Menthosa, Deo Tibba and Hanuman Tibba are among her climbs. As part of Above 14000ft, she brings in a lot of local knowledge, especially for treks or climbs around Himachal. Together, Rinku and Sushma form an integral part of Above 14000ft.

While we have experienced guides who join us, we also have our own pack of four-legged cheerleaders who join us on all our treks - Maggie, Biki, Cookie and Scrawny.

Maggie is the de-generate aunt, the pack leader, the alpha female… who teaches the rest the fine art of tearing up their bed. I found her lost and hungry, but very friendly, on a meadow near Hampta Pass. Since then, she has stayed with her nose a couple of inches from my knees wherever I go. And yes, I can't stop talking about her.

Biki, Cookie and Scrawny's mother adopted us. She gave birth to the threesome in our house, along with four of their siblings. The siblings found a new home but Biki, Cookie and Scrawny chose to stay with us. A year ago, however, Cookie went on to the Big Kennel in the Sky but Biki and Scrawny continue to be part of treks and road trips.