THE HIMALAYA THROUGH THE JOURNAL

M. H. CONTRACTOR

I WAS LUCKY IN MY ASSOCIATION with the Himalayan Club right from the time I joined. I was 20 years old then and I found Club members of various ages brimming over with both competence and enthusiasm and there was plenty of experience and advise to be gleaned by anyone who had the inclination. The Journal was something special even for a novice, one read it as if it were hallowed and gradually kept reading it again.

I was therefore delighted when I had the chance to assist in proof reading articles and later in compiling the Newsletter, The association between the Journal and the people who got it together was inspiring. Harish Kapadia is a single minded but patient and skilled instructor. I knew Hawkins only vicariously and unfortunately had the benefit of associating with Soli Mehta for an all too brief, but memorable, period. Most of us who have been, or are, apprentices to Harish luive climbed together; so the Journal has for me an association which translates into a moveable feast — the quiet skills of Dhiren 1'oolsidas, the gregarious laughter of Bhupesh Ashar, Naren Nanda's meticulousness, the painstaking map work of Arun Samant, business .icuman of Shailesh Mahadevia and Kaivan Mistry's earnestness all tese are part of the Journal to me, as are the sessions for oiptions and kababs, photographs and faloodas and all the minute details which Harish shapes mostly by himself and each time manages to make you feel that you have contributed more than you actually have.

I have been privileged to assist in recording contemporary Himalayan foils for history — first ascents, verification of some claims, examination nnd often correction of mistaken climbs and errors in the maps, variations mid new routes, environmental matters - all of these and much more have been and continue to be discussed and analysed by the tlilnk tank of the dub headed by Jagdish Nanavati in a manner which h, .1 liberal education and allows the Journal to remain authentic.

And what of the future? I think the production of the Journal will continue to involve the combination of academic vigour and field experience as it does today, because young climbers continue to recognise its utility. The Journal may continue to keep a low profile due to its very .nature, its contents will continue to be a source of reference and good reading matter and, most importantly, the source of a shareable Himalayan experience. As long as there is a need to articulate one's self on this subject, the Journal will have a role to play.

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A personal account on editing the Himalayan Journal by the present Hon. Asst. Editor.

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