SUCCESS STORY

Worked as a guide and now is the owner of “Eco Adventure Trails” 

 

  “Quitter never wins and winner never quits” Mr. Dhirender says, the owner of Eco Adventure Trails’ at Mcleodgang, 10 kilometers from Dharamshala, who started as guide. From childhood he was passionate towards adventure sports. First he completed all the courses of trekking and mountain climbing from Manali, when he was in college. His parents wanted him to pursue civil or defense services, but his passion towards adventure sports didn’t let him stay at home. He started as a mountain guide in 1993. People told him that it is not long term career and there is no money in it. He was the person who thinks from his heart and didn’t care what people were saying. Mountains were home for him, and he did many expeditions at Kumao, Garhwal, Laddakh and Lahaul & Spiti and worked as mountaineering instructor for 10 years at regional mountaineering centre at Mcleodgang.

                                                                     He became expert in mountain climbing and trekking so he began to get Mountain Rescue Missions.  He had done many mountain rescues at Dhauladhar ranges and done para-guiding rescues at the time of International Event at Billing valley.  Still was fresh in his mind, when he with 5 members team, went to rescue Joel Kitchen (paraglider).  Who went missing during a paragliding competition at Bir. (April.26.2003) Due to inclement weather, the team lost its way and went missing for 2 days. One of the team members also became critically ill. Fortunately, after 2 days, the team spotted a small village and survived, but Jeol Kitchen is still missing till now.  

                                                                              He also has experienced many adventure sports like paragliding, snow skiing and Water sports like river rafting etc.  In 2005 he started his own company “Eco Adventure Trails”, registered under Himachal Tourism and also registered at IMF (Indian Mountaineering Foundation) at Delhi as LO(Liefon Officer:- Agent of center government,  who accompany foreigners for expeditions).  His company organize short and long treks at Dhauladhar mountain at laddhakh, Lahaul & Spiti, Chamba, Kullu , Kangra and Garhwal. Conduct schools and colleges camps full of adventure sports and helps in building leadership and team working quality.

                                                                   He also worry about the global problem of green house effect, and says ,keep the earth green and clean, and had participated in many NGO,s for this motive. When asked about the career opportunity in this field, he said that there is lot of opportunity and every year the Himachal state government organizes guide course, free of cost at regional centre Dharamshala, by getting training a person can start his own business. He smiled and said, if there is a will there is a way for any career and hard work is key to success.                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                  Megha Gurung