Nagadhiraj Himalaya A Review of the Indian Himalayan-Siachen Glacie

www.123himachal.com promoting Himachal in the Cyber World. Kindly visit Our Sponsors.

Siachen Glacier

Back to Nubra valley and Sasoma from where the trail had originated. Further north is Siachen glacier. This is one of the longest glaciers in the world and a major climbing ground. It has a long history. Sir Francis Younghusband, Bullock Workmans and Tom Longstaff were early visitors who brought back knowledge about its length, location and mountains, Several peaks on its western rim, like Saltoro Kangri I, K12, Sia Kangri and others were climbed by expeditions of different nationalities. In the 1970s several Japanese expeditions crossed over Bilafond la in the west to this glacier and made ascents of Teram Kangri I, Apsarasas and Singhi Kangri. These visits, from Pakistan, prompted the Indian army to take action and in 1984 they stationed themselves on its heights. This was the beginning of the 'Glacier War' which is still on. Before that, some Indian army expeditions had been climbing on the glacier repeating ascents of the above peaks, now approached from the Indian side.

Most of the high peaks, including Everest, have now been climbed over a 100 times. Once the interest in them has waned, ranges such as those in India, will be the climber's Playground hopefully!

Climb Allowed

Several teams were allowed to climb on the glacier and in the side valleys from the Indian side. The first joint expedition (Indo- British) in the side valley was to the Rimo peaks in 1985. The team led by me and Dave Wilkinson climbed Rimo III and narrowly missed climbing Rimo I, which was climbed by the Indo-Japanese team the following year. An Indo- American team climbed Sia Kangri at the head of the glacier and then for several years no climbers visited the upper glacier. Saltoro Kangri II at 7705 m remains one of the high unclimbed peaks in the world today. When things are quieter there, a lot of climbing can be done in the area.

In 1998 I completed a dream while traversing the Siachen glacier to stand on the Indira Col at its head. It was a grand feeling to see the historical mountains and points of reference to historical aspects. Despite the present hostilities surrounding the glacier this is the range for the future.

The Indian Himalayan range stands on its own even though it does not contain high peaks of 8000 m for which leading mountaineers are queuing elsewhere. Most of the high peaks, including Everest, have now been climbed over a 100 times. Onee the interest in them has waned, ranges such as those in India, will be the climber's playground hopefully!

This is a brief personal outline of the history of events in the Indian Himalaya. There are many other aspects of the range apart from mountaineering. For any mountaineer interested in the range I have one suggestion. Normal Mailer is said to have once chided President John F. Kennedy after the Bay of Pigs fiasco. He said, 'you invaded a country without understanding its music'. I would similarly argue that a trip to the Indian Himalayan range can be more enjoyable if you appreciate its rich history and diverse culture. Though a lot has been done in the Indian Himalaya in the last Millennium, a lot remains to be done. After all what is a 100 years for the Nagadhiraj Himalaya, standing there for centuries. we must pledge to know more about the range and protect it.

Hotel Booking Tour Booking