Many years ago, George Mallory, one of the pioneers of modern-day mountaineering, was asked that what inspired him to keep returning to the Himalayas. Mallory gave a simple answer. He said, "Because it's there".

South Calcutta Trekkers Association, a tiny initiative of a group of friends, started walking on the same terrain roughly from the year 1983. Today, when we look back at those footprints left on the face of time, Mallory's words and the question that he was asked become very important for us. In all our modest activities of climbing peaks, trekking in the mountains, camping in the jungles, we have always felt an irresistible urge to come back. We have felt it almost as a compulsion, as an intoxicant, as the point of fulfillment of our lives. And in all these years, many more have joined us. Young minds with fresh enthusiasm have got involved in this endless voyage, in this carnival of joy, sorrow and unrestrained vigor.