I was so mesmerised by Sondai that I went again.
I mean—who wouldn’t?
It’s quick to climb.
Easy to finish.
Delivers great photos.
Why wouldn’t I return?
This time, I wanted to share it.
Krishna was ready to come along.
For some reason, that morning I also decided to bring Amu, my Golden Retriever. I thought it would make for an interesting hike. Krishna loved the idea.
Amu didn’t.
She gave up halfway.
I felt embarrassed.
It had rained the day before. There were a lot of people on the mountain. And there I was—the only one with a dog, and the only one trying to convince his dog to keep going.
That day taught me something unexpected.
I don’t like giving up halfway on a trail.
I pushed Amu to climb further.
The trail was steep, and she clearly wasn’t ready.
In hindsight, it was unfair of me to expect that from her. I was intoxicated—not by alcohol, but by the beauty of the light and the landscape.
There’s one more detail I remember clearly.
That day, I did not climb the final ladder section.