Trek and Climb with RAJA

On 15th December 2011, at around 11 a.m. we stood on the top of Zemu Gap. This is the first documented ascent of ZG from south, i.e. Tongshiong Glacier. Anindya Mukherjee  and Thendup Sherpa is seen in this photo. Pemba Sherpa took the snap. Seen in backdrop is the upper Zemu Glacier and many mountains including Sugarloaf. The small glacier ( tributary to Tongshiong glacier on its true left near its very head) that originates from Zemu Gap has the following defenses: 2 ice falls and 1 final head wall. We had made 1 ( our 3rd camp in Tongshiong glacier) final camp after negotiating the lower ice fall. It took us 5 hours to climb past the 2nd icefall and the final head wall on 15th December 2011. A brief report with more photos will appear on this blog soon. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!

In November 2011, a small team from Adventure Mania made an attempt to ascend Zemu Gap from south (tongshiong glacier). approaching guicha la Starting from Yoksum they crossed Guicha la and descended down the talung glacier via Yongiotak. Making a base near the junction of talung chu and tongshiong chu they managed to climb the rock wall and camped next to tongshiong's vast and complicated icefall. our tent after the 5 days of snow storm in the tongshiong ice fall abseiling in near blinding white out Simvu and Tongshiong glacier as seen from our base camp Our base camp after 5 days of snow. Pandim in the backdrop, Talung face visible Their further progress was foiled due to 5 days of non stop snow storm. They however managed to repeat the 1936 Tilman route down the Rukel and Rongyoung chu gorge. From Yoksum to Mangan it took them 12 days in total( From Tongshiong base it took them 5 days). The members were Lhakpa Sherpa, Thendup Sherpa...

Tinchinkhang 6010m- West Sikkim Choose your mountain to climb. From basic snow & ice climbing of a non technical  Himalayan 6000er to Major Mountaineering Challenges over 7000m.  From remote Sikkim to Spiti region in Western Himalaya. We are Adventure Mania, we love our mountains! We enjoy our work in the mountains with clients from all across the globe! Since 2002, we climbed and trekked across the Indian Himalaya with success and responsibility. Adventure Mania team consists of climbers and Sherpas who have vast experience in the Indian Himalaya. Although we prefer climbing in less known valleys and glaciers and smaller peaks; we have been to major Indian Himalaya peaks like Shivling, Kamet, Changabang, Nandaghunti, Srikailash, Bhagirathi, Chowkhamba, Kalanag, Manirang, Swargarohini, Thelu, Sudarshan, Satopanth, Kharchakund, Trisul, Tinchinkhang, Jopuno, Parvati Parbat.....just to name a few. Kalanag 6387m- West Garhwal This won't be entir...

Introduction In September-October 2011, Thendup Sherpa, Nandan Singh Negi, Anindya Mukherjee, Lhakpa Sherpa and Pemba Sherpa left Joshimath and entered the Trisul/Nandaghunti basin. This basin was first surveyed by the legendary Himalayan explorer Eric Shipton in 1936. In October 1936, he along with Sen Tensing and Ang Tharkay crossed a saddle (Ronti Saddle) located at the head of Ronti glacier and descended down the Nandakini. Objective Our objective was to explore the Northern spurs of Bethartoli Himal (North Summit 6352m, South Summit 6318m) with an eye to find an alternative passage on the barrier wall of Nanda Devi Sanctuary   . Bethartoli Himal is located due north of Trisul I. We were looking for a couple of low and accessible points on Bethartoli’s two Northerly spurs. Bethartoli North has a satellite peak on its North Ridge. From this satellite peak two spurs originate and descend towards Rishi Ganga due North. Since we would approach from Ronti glacier side;...

An week of training and practice on an West Sikkim glacier with Adventure Mania climber and guide Thendup Sherpa and Anindya Mukherjee. Between Thendup and Anindya there is   vast mountaineering experience. Both of them have more than 25 major mountaineering expeditions to their resume and yet they belive in lightweight, alpine style climbing in the Himalayan context.The course will aim to cover the following aspects of climbing and mountaineering: ·          Glacier travel: techniques, route finding, campsite selection,safety, protection ·          Climbing: route planning and selection, pace, step kicking and cutting, switchbacking, using ice ax and crampons, balance ·          Descending: step by step, plunge stepping,glissade, descending with ice ax and crampons ·          Arrest techniques and Belays ·...

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Inviting climbers to participate in our full service guided expedition to Mount Shivling from 24 August- 20 September 2011. The Indian climbers' who wish to join must have completed Basic/Advance mountaineering course from HMI or NIM. Only a few spots left. Contact by 30th June 2011 to book your place. email: anindya.adventuremania@gmail.com

Mont Blanc-Shivling~Satopanth~Kharchakund~Kilimanjaro Mountains to Climb this year!

Expedition Mayel Lyang 2011: we were to find trails for another 2 days after leaving Sakyong (10 March), the last lepcha habitation in upper Dzongu. Unfortunately this trail ( a very faint one and vanishing intermittently) is made by poachers! We stumbled upon one of their cave shelters on the true left of Rongyoung Chu. There we found freshly stored rice, dal, sugar, salt, tea leaves. Ration stocked for the poachers living there! And we found freshly slaughtered remains of Himalayan Tahr. Posting one such image here. May be its time the Forest Department of Sikkim wake up and send their uniformed, pot bellied guards patrolling the hills. Long Live Pawan Chamling! So much for politics and raping our planet!

The first view of Kangchenjunga South Summit (8491m) and Peak 7730m on its East Ridge. Tongshiong Glacier is seen in the centre below Kangchenjunga. The Expedition got this view on the 8th day of their march up the gorges of Rongyoung and Rukel Chu starting from the Lepcha village of 6th Mile, in Dzongu, North Sikkim. Photo: Anindya Mukherjee Expedition Mayel Lyang 2011: A brief report Inspirations In 1888, after the outbreak of the Sikkim-Tibet war, John Claude White was sent as the Assistant Political Officer to Sikkim. The following year he was offered the post of Political Officer in administrative charge of State of Sikkim. In 1890, He made one of his first expeditions crossing the Guichala. He crossed Guichala, went down to Talung glacier (which he referred to as the ‘Kangchen’ glacier- source: “Sikhim and Bhutan- Twenty-One years on the North East Frontier 1887-1908- J. Claude White, p-57) and then followed the ‘Talung’ Chu (‘Rungnu’- as per White) Eastwards to Sakyong and final...

A view from a village called Tingvung in the lower Talung Chu Valley, looking West. On a clear day snows of the Talung and Kangchenjunga can be seen above and beyond these mountains. They seemed to be protecting some sort of mystery from our eyes.I was fascinated by this view in September 2001, when I first visited Tholung Gompa. What the view revealed was important; but what was hidden is vital till this day! I came back to Tholung region and to Kishong la in 2006 and 2007 in 3 almost back to back trips. In those short exploration trips we managed to climb Kishong La, explore Dikithang and found a mountain pass called "Mige La". Yes a pass named after the "Migou" or Yeti. We also did 2 reccee trips into Zumthul Phuk Chu catchment and caught the first glimpse of Rock Needles (6303m)- a peak located on a South Easterly ridge coming from Siniolchu. So much to do and yet so little time!In May 2009, I was planning to repeat the Claude White route. But that trip never ma...

John Claude White In 1888, after the outbreak of the Sikkim-Tibet war, he was sent as the Assistant Political Officer to Sikkim. The following year he was offered the post of Political Officer in administrative charge of State of Sikkim. In 1890, He made one of his first expeditions crossing the Guichala. He crossed Guichala, went down to Talung glacier and then followed the Talung Chu eastwards to Sakyong. In his book “ Sikhim and Bhutan- Twenty One Years on the North –East Frontier 1887-1908” he says in page 53, “ In 1890 I made one of my first expeditions to the snows,crossing the Giucha-la pass and from there making my way to Ringen, following a routethe latter part of which had certainly never been traversed by a European, and I doubt by anyone, except possibly a very occasional Lepcha.” By doing this epic journey he was able to connect West Sikkim with the Southern tip of North Sikkim. Following the apparently known Dzongri- Guicha La trails, he took the challenge of traversing t...

It is always great to see an idea take shape. An unknown valley in Spiti that only existed in a map is now explored, seen, documented and now published. Here is a link from the American Alpine Journal.Adventure Mania is proud to be an integral part of this Expedition. After all, this is what we stand for...freedom of the hills~ http://aaj.americanalpineclub.org/climbs-and-expeditions/asia/india/himachal-pradesh/2010-singekang-snaght-kang-by-j-windsor/

Our Route: West Ridge EXPEDITION DURATION: August 24, 2011 to September 20, 2011 Adventure Mania’s aim for this expedition is to keep the team small (beyond basecamp 4 climbing members+ 6 climbing Sherpa/guide/cook) and the expedition as lightweight as possible. Cost for 4 persons: US$ 2750 per person Cost Include: IMF peak royalty Restricted Area Fees*as applicable Liaison Officer Cost Environment Levy State Government Fees Airport Transfer All accommodation in hotels/guest houses en route road head All major meals, breakfast en route road head Hotel in Delhi* All transport to and fro Delhi All food up to Base Camp and High Camps Porters/ponies up to Base Camp Cook, Kitchen helper in Base High Altitude Porters to ferry loads, set up high camps, fix ropes etc Climbing Guide’s* support up to Summit Base Camp Tents for Members, Kitchen and Dining Tent Kitchen Utensils and Fuel Cost Exclude: Food, transport in Delhi International flights, Airport Tax, Visa...

Kilimanjaro Machame route (6 days trek) December 2011 • Cost per member: US$1800 (for group size 4-6 people) • Cost per member: US$ 1700 (for group size 7-12 people) • Arusha/Moshi Hotels’ tariff range from $35 to $200 per night. On request Adventure Mania can book your extra hotel nights. 2 nights in Arusha is already included in your trek price • Wildlife safari can be added at the end of the trek. Safari costs $170 per person per day ( safari itinerary suggested in the following pages) There are 12 places available on this expedition