When a Himalayan “Aunty” Taught Me a Lesson in Strength: From a Viral Video to The 108 Peaks

A Moment in the Himalayas That Touched Millions

What began as an ordinary morning in the small Himalayan village of Bank (Chamoli, Uttarakhand) turned into a story that reached millions. While walking to the local market, I, Gemma Colell, co-founder of The 108 Peaks, came across two local women cutting grass for their buffaloes.

🎥 Watch the viral video on Instagram

Curious and full of admiration, I tried to lift one of their enormous bundles of hay, weighing around 40 kilograms, and completely failed. A few seconds later, a local “aunty” picked it up with effortless grace, balancing it perfectly on her back. The contrast was both humbling and hilarious. I shared the moment on Instagram, and within days, it had reached more than 5 million views across social media.

From Solsona to the Indian Himalayas

Originally from Solsona (Catalonia), I moved to India over two years ago and now live in Bank, a peaceful Himalayan village that has become the base camp for many of our treks and expeditions.

Together with Manoj Singh Rana, mountaineer and co-founder of The 108 Peaks, we’re building a project that connects travellers with the authentic Himalayas, through trekking, culture, and respect for local communities.

🗻 Discover our expeditions and treks in the Indian Himalayas

The Story Behind the Viral Video

The viral clip captured a simple, honest encounter that resonated far beyond expectations. It showed the quiet power of mountain women, their balance, technique, and resilience, qualities that are part of daily life in the Himalayas.

The story was quickly picked up by several major Indian and Catalan media outlets, including:
📰 Hindustan Times
🌿 The Better India
🗞️ Diari Segre
🗞️ Regió 7
🏔️ Celsona Digital
…and many others.

Each article highlighted not only the humour of the situation but also the beauty of Himalayan life, where strength and grace coexist naturally, far from the rush of modern cities.

Women of the Himalayas: Strength, Grace, and Everyday Power

For travellers new to these mountains, such scenes are eye-opening. In Uttarakhand and other Himalayan regions, women often carry the physical and spiritual weight of daily life, climbing steep trails with loads of grass or firewood, managing households, and caring for livestock.

Online, thousands of people commented on the video, expressing admiration:

“Women are the true backbone of Himalayan homes.”
“This is just daily routine for pahadi women.”

It became clear that what touched people most wasn’t just the humor — it was the authenticity. A glimpse into a world where life is hard, yet full of dignity, connection, and quiet joy.

The 108 Peaks: Treks, Expeditions & Cultural Journeys in India

At The 108 Peaks, we organise small-group expeditions and experiences across the Indian Himalayas, from treks in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh to Yoga and Ayurveda journeys in Rishikesh, the Yoga Capital of the World.

Our goal is to offer meaningful travel, connecting people with the mountains and their culture, while supporting local guides, families, and traditional communities. Every journey is designed to be slow, conscious, and deeply human.

🌍 Learn more about our upcoming adventures

Beyond Virality: A Reflection on Connection

The viral moment was unexpected, but it perfectly reflects what life in the Himalayas has taught me: connection, humility, and deep respect for the mountains and their people.
Living here has shown me that real strength doesn’t always shout; sometimes, it simply lifts a 40-kilogram bundle of grass with a smile.

Everyday life in these valleys is a quiet display of endurance, women walking for hours with loads of firewood, men guiding their cattle across narrow trails, children climbing steep paths to reach school. Watching them has changed the way I understand effort and balance. There’s a kind of grace in their movements, born from harmony with nature rather than struggle against it. That’s what I try to capture in my stories and images, the beauty of a life shaped by the mountains and the quiet power of those who call them home.