ARUN SAMANT MEMORIAL LECTURES

Mumbai Program

The Himalayan Club will be flagging off its 80th year celebrations by holding
a special day long program at Mumbai.

Sunday, 6th January 2008

Shivling Expedition
Film in English - 50 minutes ( 11 a.m. to 11.50 a.m.)

This film covers the story of the Shivling expedition from Pune. It has excellent footage of climbing the ice wall near the summit. Seven members of the team summitted Shivling in two separate attempts. This is the highest number of summiteers in the single expedition on Shivling by any team.

The expedition was organised by GIRIPREMI, Pune on the auspicious occasion of it's Silver Jubilee Year.

11.50 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. Tea Break

Into the Lohit Valley, Arunachal Pradesh.
Illustrated Talk - 45 minutes (12.15 pm to 1 p.m.) by Harish Kapadia

The Lohit valley is the eastern-most valley of India. This team trekked into the forbidden Dong valley going towards the tri-junction of India, China and Burma – the easternmost point of India. They faced several difficulties and dangerous log bridges across rivers. They discovered an ancient Chinese stone, which was a major historical discovery called as ‘The Walong Inscriptions’. This is the talk about this remote area covering; history of travels and explorations, the 1962 Indo-China war, people and politics.

1 to 2 pm – Lunch Break

Ascent of Mukut Parvat East
Illustrated Talk - 40 minutes(2 to 2.45 pm) by Naresh Shingrupe

Saad Mountaineers had organised an expedition to Mukut (East) 23,760 feet in June-July 2007. A team of nine members under the leadership of Rajan Deshmukh climbed Mukut (East) on 18th July,2007. They established Five Camps and the four persons reached the summit.

Lamkhaga Pass
Illustrated Talk - 40 minutes (2.45 to 3.30 pm ) by Hement Thete

Story of crossing the Lamkhaga pass from Uttrakashi to Chhitkul in the Sangla valley. This high pass is not crossed often and traverses some beautiful valleys. This 7 day trek is most enjoyable. Team was from the Nagpur Mountaineers, Nagpur.

3.30 to 4 pm – Tea Break

An enduring friendship – Indian American expedition to Chong Kumdan.
Illustrated Talk - 80 minutes (4 pm to 5.30 pm) by Divyesh Muni

In August 2007, a ten member, Indian American joint expedition, sponsored by The Himalayan Club climbed a new route on Chong Kumdan I (7071 m). This was the second ascent of this magnificent peak, the first being by an Indian British team led by Harish Kapadia in 1991.
Divyesh Muni, the Hon. Sect. of the Himalayan Club, led this expedition jointly with Don Goodman from U.S.

Chong Kumdan I is located close to the Aksai Chin area of Jammu & Kashmir. The approach to this remote peak is from the Nubra valley, north of the famous Khardung La. This region is sandwiched between Pakistan occupied Kashmir on the North West and the Aksai Chin area on the North East. The approach to the mountain is along the historic ‘silk route’ to Yarkand over the famous Saser La.

The team had to cross two major glaciers along with their horses to reach their Base Camp. The Shyok river blocked the route for the horses and brought the expedition to a halt at the other end of the Thangaman Glacier. On reaching the Base Camp, the team proceeded to explore a route through the South Chong Kumdan Glacier only to be faced by huge gaping crevasses, towering ice seracs and penitents. Facing accidents, death of a porter, illness of a Sherpa and many other difficulties they managed to climb the peak.

Time : 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Date : 6th January, 2008 (Sunday)

Venue : Rachna Sansad Academy, Prabhadevi, Near Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai.

This program is open for all.
Please contact Jasmine Hegde: on 98322241916 for any information and clarification.

Jasmine Hedge
Hon Local Secretary,
The Himalayan Club

Mumbai: 10th December 2007