The Accidental Climber

Adventures and Misadventures in the Indian Himalaya

An evening hosted by the Himalayan Club

Speaker: Aloke Surin

FREE for all | RSVP required by scanning QR code.

📅 Sunday, 2 November
🕕 5:40 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Indian Heritage Academy,
20th Main, 6th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru.
Local Secretary: 

A Journey Through the Himalaya
(1973 – 2001)

In 1973, as a college student in Kolkata, he first saw Kanchenjunga from Darjeeling. That vision changed his life forever. However, it was another long five years, until late 1978, before he could save up enough money and take his very first vacation from his very first job — to do the Basic Mountaineering Course from NIM, Uttarkashi.

The few skills he learnt then rusted for another seven years, until 1985, before destiny steered him toward his first Himalayan mountain climb.

From 1985 to 2001 were what he calls his golden years – twelve glorious years during which he visited the Indian Himalaya and had some great adventures, in an era when mountaineering by civilians in India was still an exotic hobby.
This presentation is a look back at some of those wonderful years.

Chronology of Treks and Climbs

1976 : First Himalayan trek with the YHAI in Kishtwar
1978 : Basic Course. NIM Uttarkashi
1979 : Trek to Annapurna Base Camp. Attempt on Tent Peak. Trek to Dhaulagiri.
1980 : Repeat trek to Annapurna Base Camp
1983 : Trek to the Langtang Valley and climb of Yala Peak (trekking peak)
1985 : Two-person ascent of Lion Peak (6126m) in the Bara Shigri Glacier, Lahul. Two-person trek up the Tos Nala and crossing the Sara Umga La to Lahul.
1986 : Two-person attempt on Menthosa (6441m), Lahul
1988 : Four-person attempt on Panch Chuli II
1989 : Attempt on the SE Ridge of Brahmmah I (6441m) in Kishtwar with the Climbers Club, Bengaluru
1991 : First ascent of Ice Sail (6200m) in the Dibibokri Glacier. First ascent of a minor summit in the same glacier. Attempted a new route on Rubal Kang, at the head of the glacier.
1993 : Chango Glacier, Kinnaur. Attempted Corner Peak.
1995 : Chango Glacier. Attempted Granite Peak (6585m) as a small four-person team
1996 : Co-leader of a joint Indo-American expedition which climbed some peaks at the head of the Parvati Valley. The expedition was a joint venture of The Himalayan Club and The Mountaineers, Seattle.
1998 : Third expedition to Chango. Small four-person team. Made two first ascents.
1999 : Team member of an attempt on the then unclimbed Burphu Dhura in the Kalabaland Glacier, Kumaon.
2001 : Two-person attempt on Snow Dome in the Bagini Glacier, Garhwal. Three-person climb of Kang Yaze II in Ladakh.