EDITORIAL

A FEW years ago I was discussing with Professor Odell the subject of adventure and its literature. For him all adventures were too personal and were to be treasured for oneself. He felt that it is a difficult art to write and compress so much wealth of experience into one little book or an article. So he was not keen on writing.

Requesting people to write for the Journal sometimes provokes a similar reaction. Some are either too busy or too lazy to write. One climber with firm views against any writing reacted with, 'Let's say I'm not a public entertainer.' But time, alas, is stronger than even the memories of the mountains. Very few of the early explorers are in our midst now. What they have written perhaps looms larger than the adventure itself. This is particularly true for succeeding generations. Luckily most of us agree to share our experience. For all mountaineers -would confirm that at some time or other they have consulted the information about an area or a peak in the writings of their predecessors. The important distinction remains between 'publicity' and recording it for the posterity. The written word has certainly inspired many a venture.

Climbing has always produced a variety of literature. The present issue has its fair share. It covers a wide area from Kongur, Shivling, Kabru Dome to Apsarasas. It deals with climbs and treks, shepherds and tourism, geology and art. It is hoped that there is something for all mountain-lovers.

Owing to the enormous increase in ail the costs of producing the Journal it has become an exercise in austerity. Shailesh Mahadevia as the business editor deserves much credit for looking after these interests so well. Thanks are due to the Editor of the American Alpine Journal for permission to reprint an article and to Rajul Mehta for contributing two excellent sketches.

Harish Kapadia

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