IN MEMORIAM

SANTOSH GUJAR

(1949-1979)

SANTOSH GUJAR died in a tragic accident on Lingana Pinnaclc in the Sahyadri mountains near Bombay in December 1979.

He was born in 1949 in Kolaba District of Maharashtra in India and after an apprenticeship joined Mazagaon Dock Ltd. where he held the post of Assistant Foreman before his death.

Santosh Gujar was a member of a number of mountaineering clubs in Bombay including the Himalayan Club and took keen interest in mountaineering activities. He did Basic and Advance mountaineering courses from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi and was a member of an expedition in May-June 1977 sponsored by Parvatarohi, Bombay during which he reached 22,000 ft on Sri Kailash. In the post-monsoon period of 1979 he was appointed as liaison officer to a Spanish Expedition to Mrigthuni (22,490 ft).

Santosh was involved totally in the projects he undertook and due to his strong determination and perseverance was able to accomplish the tasks undertaken by him. He was determined to attain his objective. During our Nilambar Expedition 1977 he was reluctant to withdraw before reaching the summit although the weather conditions were extremely bad. This very trait ultimately caused his death on Lingana Pinnacle which he attempted solo and fell to his tragic end.

His untimely death is a great loss to the mountaineering fraternity, especially to those with whom he had worked in Bombay and elsewhere.

Ranvir Singh

 

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