B23, Shrinivas Park, Baner Road, Pune 411045. INDIA.
Low to High
Low2high “Hum fit toh Bharat fit”.
Low2High was an initiative to complete a jaw dropping 4,003 kilometer run from the lowest geographical point in India, which is Kuttunad in Kerala situated at 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) below sea level, to the high point of Umling La in Ladakh, which is situated at a majestic height of about 5,798 meters (19,022 feet) above sea level in exactly 76 days to commemorate the 76th Independence Day of India, on the 15th of August, 2023.
During Low2high, Ashish ran through 9 states of India besides 1 union territory. A heartwarming feature of Low2high expedition was that the local people from India as well as tourists from several countries from all over the world joined Ashish for short distances along the way throughout the journey.
“Low2high is a unique life changing journey that teaches one that with desire and discipline, miraculous things can be achieved”
When Low2high reached Sonepat in Haryana, Ashish was felicitated by the Sports Authority of India, which conferred on him the title of ‘Fit India Movement Influencer’. Prodigious talent, limitless endurance, indefatigable determination, indomitable courage and gut wrenching grit are words that are often associated with Ashish. Ashish is all of these and more.
While he has literally achieved Himalayan heights, it is the very Himalayan mountain range that keeps him ever humble, ever grounded and ever open to learning from the ever giving benevolence of Mother Nature. The magnificence of this mountain is unparalleled and cannot be captured in paragraphs, pictures, words or visuals. Its very presence is awesome and inspiring and Ashish is fully mindful of this and hence his respect and reverence for this divine creation.
In fact, Ashish has been bestowed with the sobriquet of ‘Himalayputra’ for his prodigious performances in this majestic range of awe inspiring mountains. For Ashish personally, the Low2high run was a combination of the Badwater 135, La Ultra, Comdares and the Cherapunjee Ultra but this Himalayputra with the calmness and composure of a monk was thoroughly enjoying himself in spite of the debilitating conditions, which included the extreme high altitude, desolate terrain, scorching heat, uncomfortable humidity touching 93% and blinding rain.
But Ashish believes that “there is no such thing as bad weather”.
At each of the mighty Himalayan passes, Ashish would stop momentarily, pay his respects and offer prayers to the Gods in his own unique style.He knows that “you cannot cross a mountain; the mountain allows you to pass”. It is thus seen as a miracle that on reaching the destination of Umling La, there was, what can only be interpreted as a divine blessing in the form of a soft shower of heavenly snow.
On the 15th of August, 2023, Ashish Kasodekar’s dream of unfurling the Indian national flag and singing the Indian national anthem came true.
Ashish Kasodekar…. an inspirational Indian, a hero, a champion, simply – a passionate runner. Everyone has a story…..start yours today! “Be together, achieve together, celebrate together.”
While he has literally achieved Himalayan heights, it is the very Himalayan mountain range that keeps him ever humble, ever grounded and ever open to learning from the ever giving benevolence of Mother Nature. The magnificence of this mountain is unparalleled and cannot be captured in paragraphs, pictures, words or visuals. Its very presence is awesome and inspiring and Ashish is fully mindful of this and hence his respect and reverence for this divine creation.
In fact, Ashish has been bestowed with the sobriquet of ‘Himalayputra’ for his prodigious performances in this majestic range of awe inspiring mountains. For Ashish personally, the Low2high run was a combination of the Badwater 135, La Ultra, Comdares and the Cherapunjee Ultra but this Himalayputra with the calmness and composure of a monk was thoroughly enjoying himself in spite of the debilitating conditions, which included the extreme high altitude, desolate terrain, scorching heat, uncomfortable humidity touching 93% and blinding rain.
But Ashish believes that “there is no such thing as bad weather”.
At each of the mighty Himalayan passes, Ashish would stop momentarily, pay his respects and offer prayers to the Gods in his own unique style.He knows that “you cannot cross a mountain; the mountain allows you to pass”. It is thus seen as a miracle that on reaching the destination of Umling La, there was, what can only be interpreted as a divine blessing in the form of a soft shower of heavenly snow.
On the 15th of August, 2023, Ashish Kasodekar’s dream of unfurling the Indian national flag and singing the Indian national anthem came true.
Ashish Kasodekar…. an inspirational Indian, a hero, a champion, simply – a passionate runner. Everyone has a story…..start yours today! “Be together, achieve together, celebrate together.”