CORRESPONDENCE

The Editor,

Himalayan Journal

Dear Harish

According to Kenneth Mason describing Tirsuli, situated on the Pithoragarh-Chamoli district divide of Uttarakhand (Abode of Snow, p.272) 'the three highest summits have the collective name of Tirsuli: south peak (7151 m), east peak (7074 m) and northwest peak (7035 m), all rising from a common base.'

After he wrote that in the 1950's the south peak has come to be identified as Hardeol ('the temple of Shiva') the east peak referred to as Tirsuli Main ('the trident of Shiva') and the northwest peak as Tirsuli West ('second, sometimes third prong of the trident') This had led some to suppose the first editor of the Himalayan Journal may have been mistaken about the collective name of Tirsuli.

Can any reader of the Himalayan Journal help clarify the situation and end the confusion surrounding the names of this distinguished massif? As you are at this moment trekking in Kumaun I can only hope the answer is blowing in the wind !

Bill Aitken Mussoorie, 10 August 2009

A letter from Field Marshall Sir William Birdwood, the first President of the Himalayan Club. It was written to father of late Serbjeet Singh, the Himalayan artist. Note the seal and signature.