When you stand in front of a peak like the Everest or the Kanchenjunga, you are in awe look at the mountain from so close and at the same time, when you look down at your feet, you are afraid of falling to your death. And I think it is in that moment of experiencing awe and fear at the same time that we begin to appreciate our spiritual response,” reflected renowned author Stephen Alter at a talk show on his latest book Wild Himalaya at 2019 Dehradun Literature Festival held at Doon International School.  

For the globe-trotting author, the mountains of Mussoorie remain his compass- the needle that points him back where he belongs. Alter’s words ,“ if my hometown of Mussoorie did not exist, I would have been forced to invent it,” struck a special chord with people of Doon valley.

The talk was moderated by lawyer and poet Atul Pundir. On travelling alone, Alter said, “When you travel alone, you meet many more people as compared to when you travel in a group. As  a solitary trekker I get to meet many people and hear their stories.“ Alter also expressed concern for climate change in the Himalayas. Responding to audience request of advice for aspiring travel writers, Alter stressed, “Have discipline. I write 1000 words every day, no more and no less. So fix a specific number of words and stick to that. Also, as a writer it is very important to choose a topic on which you want to write, a subject that you find very interesting, not what you think others will like to read.”

In Wild Himalaya,  Alter brings alive the greatest mountain range on earth in all its beauty and complexity.