Trek and Climb with RAJA

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; the

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 ·          Clmbing ethics and etiquettes ·          Climbing safety Course Duration: 14 days. (7 days trekking + 7 days of training) Course date: March 9, 20