Into the Untravelled Himalaya: Travels, Treks and Climbs

With development of roads and access deep into the Himalayan valleys, new opportunities have opened up for travelers, trekkers and mountaineers. Many areas, which were hitherto not easily approachable and would have taken months to explore, are not accessible. There are smaller valleys and peaks that allow enjoyment of quick visit. The author has described his three visits to Tibet, covering a vast area. His observations about tourism, travel and changes in this troubled country give a different insight. He describes his travels in Bhutan with an eye on the history and culture of that country. The unknown valleys of Arunachal Pradesh were visited by him during two expeditions, specially the historic exploration of Tsangpo river as it enters India. The book describes author’s treks and climbs in many such valleys during the past decade. It contains stories of exploration and the areas in Sikkim, Kumaun, Garhwal, Kinnaur, Lahaul, Ladakh and East Karakoram. Expeditions to the war-torn Siachen glacier describe its different valleys, history of early explorations and present-day war. There are stories of climbing peaks, accidents and reaching passes like Karakoram pass and Indira Col. The book gives an insight into the Himalayan areas, their history and people. For a trekker there are suggestions for discovering different passes, unknown valleys, nomenclature of the areas, and knowledge about the people and their culture. There are invaluable references to hordes of peaks, both most challenging and easy, between 6000 m and 7000 m range. Now that Everest has been climbed many times, the future of mountaineering lies in these smaller peaks. With 23 maps and 48 photographs and many references. This book will be an invaluable guide to all present and future mountaineers.