The Himalayas have always attracted explorers from across the globe. For the last 90 years, the Himalayan Club founded in 1928 in Mumbai, has been chronicling these expeditions. No wonder the Himalayan Journal, published by the club, is considered the most authentic and authoritative reference on the activities in the Himalayas. Harish Kapadia, long-time editor of the Himalayan Journal, has now edited a collector's edition titled Legendary Maps from the Himalayan Club.
The book starts with chapters on East Kashmir and Karakoram range which attracts many climbing excursions. Tales of challenging expeditions undertaken by British officers stationed in Rawalpindi, Murree or Muzaffarnagar (all now in Pakistan) add to the depth of the Himalayan chronicle. For instance, the book features the story of Col John Hunt's trek of Kashmir's Kolahoi peak, through a different route and the route maps of Kolahoi from 1912 to 1935. Another account features Trevor Braham, a British explorer and climber. His exploration of Kaghan valley remains unique and a major reference in the mountaineering history because after 1947, this part of Kashmir lies in the restricted area. Story of geographer and naturalist Professor Giotto Dainelli's expedition to the Karakoram and exploration of one of the longest glaciers—Siachen—is yet another fascinating read. The Nubra river drains the glacier, the divide between south and central Asia, before joining Shyok river. All the places are hand marked onto the hand-drawn maps.
The book also gives readers a tour of the Dhauladhar ranges of Himachal Pradesh, the Garhwal Himalayas, the mystical Kedarnath peak and the Neelkanth peak overlooking the Badrinath temple. Exploration of the Nanda Devi basin is said to be one the most difficult in the range. For more than 50 years, climbers have attempted to explore the basin from different sides, but failed.
The book takes a peek into not just expeditions and routes, but rescue missions, too. The helicopter rescue of leading British mountaineer Stephens Venables who had a fall on the slopes of Panchachuli in 1993 is recorded as one of the most daring rescues.
The American ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 from two routes has interesting stories. One of the summiteers—Nawang Gombu—a sherpa from Darjeeling, during his younger days had carried heavy load for British expeditions. He climbed the Everest in 1953, and later in 1965, becoming the first person to scale the Everest twice. Today, the record for most climbs of the Everest is held by Sherpa Apa—20 climbs.
The book talks about the exploration of Tsangpo or the Brahmaputra, one of India's mightiest rivers, originating at lake Manasarovar in Western Tibet. The British sent spy-explorers to trace the course of this river but there have been no significant advances. The Tsangpo still guards it secrets.
Legendary Maps from the Himalayan Club
Edited by Harish Kapadia
Published by Roli Books
Price: Rs 1,495; Pages: 240