Growing up, my relationship with food was far from ideal. Like many students, I leaned into convenience and comfort—my go-to evening ritual in college was a bottle of Mountain Dew and a bag of chips. It became a bit of a running joke among friends, but behind the laughs was a pattern that stuck with me for years.
After college, with a steady income and more freedom, my indulgences—and my waistline—grew. I crossed 100 kg without much thought. But that all changed in 2016, during a hiking trip to Parashar Lake in India. I struggled so much that my friends had to carry some of my gear. We barely made it to the summit and back. It was a wake-up call.
That day sparked a transformation. I committed to becoming healthier, fitter, and more self-aware. Since then, I’ve steadily built better habits. Today, I’m 78 kg, follow a protein-rich vegan diet, and feel stronger in both body and mind.
Hiking has played a huge role in that journey. It keeps me grounded, challenges me physically, and heals in ways that go beyond the surface. My partner Surbhi and I have hiked countless trails around the Bay Area and Seattle. We’re mountain people—so much so that even our Hawaii trips include two hiking days, minimum!
After four years in the Pacific Northwest, admiring Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker from afar, we asked ourselves: why not take the next step? Why not challenge ourselves to stand on the very peaks we’ve spent years gazing at?
That’s when we discovered Asha for Education —a community of kindred spirits using their passion and energy to raise funds for something deeply important: education. It’s one of the most powerful ways to invest in a better future. As full-time professionals living in the U.S., we don’t always have the time to contribute directly on the ground in India—but we can put our time, effort, and miles toward something that truly matters.
This climbing season, we’ve committed ourselves to doing just that.
Our team trains hard—two hikes a week across the beautiful (and sometimes rainy!) trails of the Seattle area. It’s been intense, but also incredibly rewarding. We’ve built stamina, resilience, a few blisters, and some friendships along the way. Earlier this year, we summited Mt. St. Helens—one of Washington’s iconic volcanoes — and now we’re aiming even higher.
In 2025, we’ll be climbing three more peaks with Asha:
Mt. Adams (June)
Mt. Baker (July)
Glacier Peak (July)
With your support, we hope to turn this personal journey into something far greater—an opportunity to uplift and empower underprivileged children in India through education.
Why Asha for Education?
Asha is a low-overhead, volunteer-run organization. More than 95% of donations go directly to grassroots educational initiatives in India. Asha consistently earns a 100% rating from Charity Navigator for transparency, accountability, and financial responsibility.
How You Can Help
If our journey resonates with you, please consider making a contribution—any amount helps. Donations are U.S. tax-deductible, and many employers match them.
➡️ Please include this note with your donation:
“Team Asha Climber 2025 – Saraj Munjal”
Thank you so much for your support. Together, we can make every step up these mountains count for something even bigger.