Trek and Climb with RAJA

On 29th May 2012, Adventure Mania team scaled Mount Kalanag 6387m in West Garhwal Himalaya. All 6 of its climbing members reached the summit with Lead climbing sherpa Thendup and Pemba. This is one of the summit shots of that day. The name of the summiters are Ananth HV , Karan Singh, Akshay Singh, Siddharth Sirohi, Shantanu Sood, Aftab Kaushik, Thendup Sherpa and Pemba Sherpa.( photo courtesy: Ananth HV). Adventure Mania has been leading and providing summit support to aspiring himalayan climbers for past 10 years with safety and success. This was there 4th successful expedition on Mount Kalanag.( after 2003, 2005, 2008).

Continuing exploration in the Indian Himalaya is what I had always believed in and whenever I got an opportunity embarked on a mountaineering trip that had an element of exploration in it.  Last year (2011), we succeeded in charting 3 major explorations in the Indian Himalaya. I take immense pleasure in sharing its news as published in the American Alpine Journal here: 1-Our exploration on the outer rim of the Nanda Devi Snactuary: Deo Toli Col Expedition http://aaj.americanalpineclub. org/climbs-and-expeditions/ asia/india/uttaranchal/2011- dudh-ganga-col-5350m-and- deotoli-col-5400m-first- ascents-by-anindya-mukherjee- india/ 2-Exploratory trek from North Sikkim to West Sikkim: Expedition Mayel Lyang http://aaj.americanalpineclub. org/climbs-and-expeditions/ asia/india/sikkim/2011-in-the- footsteps-of-john-claude- white-and-photography-of- unclimbed-peaks-by-lindsay- griffin-mountain-info-from- information-provided-by- anindya-mukherjee/ 3- The fir...

view of Kangchenjunga south summit and Talung peaks from Tongshyong glacier. Pic. Anindya Mukherjee Text & Photographs: Anindya Mukherjee Introduction The history of exploration around Kangchenjunga [1] , especially around its south, south east and east flanks; has always fascinated me. The classic journeys and adventures of pioneers [2] like W.W. Graham, John Claude White, Douglas Freshfield, Dr. A.M. Kellas, Harold Raeburn, N.A.Tombazi, Lord John Hunt and Paul Bauer ignited my imagination. The height of inspiration of course came from reading my hero Mr. H.W. Tilman’s account in the Himalayan Journal (vol. IX) on his attempt on Zemu Gap from south in 1936. The primary challenge of climbing Zemu Gap from south has always been its remote & complicated approach. Many failed just to reach the foot of this col. To add to that its apparently impregnable defenses took Zemu Gap to a next level of exploratory climbing. In 1925, Greek photographer N.A.Tombazi is sai...

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;...