Soliloquy of a Wandering Pilgrim

Its Indian Himalaya we are talking about and in Adventure Mania its usually more action and less talk. 2009 is almost over and we are already planning for 2010. We need climbers for the following peaks for 2010: Mt Shivling (6593m)- August, 2010 Mt Satopanth (7050m)- August-September, 2010 Mt kalanag (6387m)- May-June 2010 You can also join our Yoga trek In the Singalila Ridge : March-April, 2010 We are Adventure Mania, we love our mountains! We enjoy our work in the mountains with clients from all across the globe! Since 2002, we climbed and trekked across the Indian Himalaya with success and responsibility. Adventure Mania team consists of climbers and Sherpas who have vast experience in the Indian Himalaya. Although we prefer climbing in less known valleys and glaciers and smaller peaks; we have been to major Indian Himalaya peaks like Shivling, Kamet, Changabang, Nandaghunti, Srikailash, Bhagirathi, Chowkhamba, Srikailash, Kalanag, Manirang, Swargarohini.....just to name a few. It

3 weeks in Spiti passed swiftly. Snow and wind as constant company, we managed to trek from Kibber to the Lingti valley. The original plan to cross Parang la was abondoned due to too much new powder snow. So had to forget Tso Mo Riri this time; and focussed on the land and culture of Spiti instead. After the trip, back in Manali, surprises and shock were waiting for me. My blogs were thoroughly spammed. This prompted me to clean my space and change all the settings hoping to ever watrchful evil eyes of the spammer. Reminds me of the black gate and the eye of Sauron (Lord Of the Rings)! Came back home only discover my laptop sick, and desktop critical. To add to the misery, the internet device dead! So I have to catch up with my work and emails in internet cafes nowadays for a change! Not fair! The only nice thing was probably being home in Durga Puja festivals after 7 years. It was juyst nice to be around with my son and catching up with friends. But now the holiday is over and I am al

After getting stranded again on Rohtang Pass road, finally reached Kaza last evening. A gruelling 11 hours on the road and a well earned rest at the Himachal Tourism Hotel Spiti. It was good to see the young cook from Kullu is still there and he almost made us feel at home with a fantastic meal.   We seem to be lucky weather wise this time, though the September wind is already biting cold. Its going to be some cold nights up ahead at Parang La I am sure. Arranging transport to Kibber and permits is on top of my agenda today. Shopping for 12 days for 13 people is also happening right now. Off to Kibber tomorrow. The highest village (4250m) connected with a motorable road and electricity.   Some of us have gone to visit the nearby Dankhar Gompa, while the not so lucky ones are happily roaming in the streets of Kaza.   Since we were lucky enough not to get stranded in Kunzumla due to untimely snow fall ( read in the newspaper at Losar Police post that this snowfall broke 54 year

Kolkata to Delhi.The train journey was a nice surprise. Actually. Rajdhani Experess, haven't been on it for long time. And now I must admit that the experience is better. It has improved, the whole experience. Remarkable food especially, when this is included in your train ticket price; matters. But what matters most is panctuality of the train. And this time it was a ten on ten.   Whenever I am taking a train ride, all these comparisons come into my mind. The European trains ( especially the Swiss, French and German) are great. They are meticulously perfect on time, they are clean and look modern. The one long distance Russian train I was on was a train from Moscow to MIn Vody. It was great and different experiemce altogether. It lacked the look may be, but there was no shortage of quality of service on board. I was particularly impressed by the one lady conductor who was literraly taking care of everything in one coach. From checking our tickets to cleaning the floor. The look

http://picasaweb.google.com/anindya.adventuremania/ElbrusRace?feat=directlink Here is the link to the images from Elbrus Race 2008. I have added some new pics to this album from the Speed Climb organizers website. Here you can see the almost photo-finish between me and Martin on top of Elbrus. -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com Raja's personal blog: http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139 Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

A boat. looks ordinary from outside. Just like the boats that ferry tourists on river cruise in the Sundarban, bringing thousands each year to it's famous Tiger Reserve. Not like the huge ones used by the West Bengal Tourism. But the smaller ones which are more efficient. I am planning to buy one. and then, I am going to convert the interior of this boat into a medical unit. Not a very sophisticated one. It will have only the basic gears and facilities of a primary health center. why? while working at Cyclone hit (Aila) Bali island and its neighborhood, I was shocked by the sheer access problem to the remote islands and villages. Villagers have no access to primary health care in some villages. In most of the cases, they have to travel a long way to nearest towns; either to a private doctor or to a Government run clinic ( which is either un-manned or ill equipped in most cases). What if I can start a project that will run this boat; which is in effect a 'mobile medical unit'

There is this restlessness back on my feet, back on my mind and soul. It happens. Always. Without fail. It has been happening to me since I was a kid. A kid with no concentration on syllabus and classrooms. A kid with distant, dreamy eyes lost in his own journeys in his own head. That restlessness has not left me. Not yet. I remember one night when a camping trip was canceled and I was depressed. I had to go pitch my tent in our backyard. Man, it gave some outlet. I just had to go outdoor! Literally! And so I kept on sleeping in a hammock ( and when it rained, I moved inside a 1960s Japanese ridge tent that belonged to my uncle). Now that I manage to make a living out of the great Indian Outdoors; that restlessness has only increased. I want to see more, I want to learn more from whatever is out there. Off to Spiti and Ladakh next week. This time I will be leading a German group over Parangla and finally to the Tso Mo Riri. From Delhi we will be driving to Manali and then to Kaza. Tw

http://picasaweb.google.com/anindya.adventuremania/MonSoon?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCpoqLHw8bPtAE&feat=directlink click on the link above to go to the album -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com Raja's personal blog: http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139 Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKIqGYRuvbk I loved this. You will too! -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com Raja's personal blog: http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139 Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

Hi Friends, I have posted some of my pictures from the Swiss Alps in this album. http://picasaweb.google.co.in/anindya.adventuremania/MyPilgrimageToTheBerneseAlps?feat=directlink cheers! Raja -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com Raja's personal blog: http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139 Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

I will tell you how it is going so far! I am talking about this expedition we are planning in North Sikkim. The mountain is called Kellas and it is 6680m. It is named after Dr. A. M. Kellas, one of the highest authorities of high altitude human physiology. Its a British- American Expedition led by Dr. Jeremy Windsor and I am proud to be a part of it. If we make it, it will be a first ascent and a tribute to Dr. Kellas. I consider myself lucky to be able to work in the Indian Himalaya. No where else one would find as many unclimbed peaks, unexplored glaciers. Surely one life time is not enough! I live my passion and enjoy my job. Just to be able to be in the mountains is rewarding enough. But sadly as everything else in life also is, there is a constant, never ending pain. A kind of reality that we learn to live with; make treaty, or sometimes even a compromise! It has not changed since the British left. It is the mountain of paper works! Probably one of the most significant part of

The Berner Oberland Trio: Eiger- Monch-Jungfrau As the rock step became unstable and never ending; we were still struggling to get to the South East ridge of Jungfrau. Last night when we last looked at the map, it all looked so obvious. For a team of experienced rock climbers and high altitude mountaineers, this 4000er seemed more like a tourist mountain. It took us a while to realize yet again that a mountain is a mountain; no matter how many times it has been climbed in the past; or how many guide books has been written on its routes. We were surprised at the grade of difficulties we were facing that morning. The guide books described the SE ridge of Jungfrau as PD and we were almost certain that it was going well beyond that scale. Well, the guide book was not wrong; it was us on the wrong side of the ridge. I felt tired and sleepy as I climbed and tried to be careful and safe on the rocks. The snow ridge was within striking distance, but we knew it will not bring any comfort t

The Berner Oberland Trio: Eiger- Monch-Jungfrau As the rock step became unstable and never ending; we were still struggling to get to the South East ridge of Jungfrau. Last night when we last looked at the map, it all looked so obvious. For a team of experienced rock climbers and high altitude mountaineers, this 4000er seemed more like a tourist mountain. It took us a while to realize yet again that a mountain is a mountain; no matter how many times it has been climbed in the past; or how many guide books has been written on its routes. We were surprised at the grade of difficulties we were facing that morning. The guide books described the SE ridge of Jungfrau as PD and we were almost certain that it was going well beyond that scale. Well, the guide book was not wrong; it was us on the wrong side of the ridge. I felt tired and sleepy as I climbed and tried to be careful and safe on the rocks. The snow ridge was within striking distance, but we knew it will not bring an

In 48 hours I will be on my way to take part in the Summer Alpine Meet of Mountaineering Ireland (previuosly known as Mountaineering Council of Ireland) http://www.mountaineering.ie/  It is the National governing body for the sport of mountaineering in Ireland.   I have this rare privilage because of Alan Tees, President, Mountaineering Ireland. I owe this opportunity entirely to him. He is a prominent personality in the world of mountaineering and an active & prolific rock and ice climber. I am putting a couple of links to articles published in Sunday Journal on him: http://www.sundayjournal.ie/sunday-interview/MOUNTAIN-MAN.4352328.jp http://www.sundayjournal.ie/features/Peak-to-Peak.4205167.jp   The location of this Alpine Meet will give me an opportunity to attempt famous and formidable peaks such as the Eiger, Monch, Finsteraarhorn and Jungfrau. To climb the ridges, cols, aretes of any of these peaks is any alpinist's dream and I am fortunate enough to come  one st

Sometimes its obvious; sometimes not! The question is whether I am a complete idiot or a partial one? I sometimes get confused myself. I commit myself to projects that are going to trouble me financially. I do expenditures that only increases my stress. I regret it; but never seem to learn from it. In the end of it all, simply blame it on my spirit of adventure! Thats easy. It is true that I have always been inclined to dreaming; rather than calculating risk benefit ratio. I have been a dreamer, I still am and do not know where and how the end shall be. But without my dreams where would I be today? I would be stuck in that same pharmaceutical sales job of course! But look at me, I have have travelled far corners of the planet, made friends, met many people, experienced culture , vast and varied and tasted the freedom of being in nature and the great outdoors. When I look at my climbing gears I find it amazing to believe that in past 7 years I have done 20 major Himalayan expeditions. I

You have heard or probably even read about it. The legend of a priest connecting the two famous Hindu shrines in Garhwal Himalaya! Too many articles, a lot of press perhaps!   And here is your chance to be a part of the quest. Here is your chance to be lead by the pioneers on this route! Mighty adventure, grand mountainscape, good company, and affordable cost! If you know someo oen who could be interested, please forward this message.   Join us~ Badrinath to Kedarnath: A high route, a classic Himalayan trek Across glaciers and five high passes with Adventure Mania Grade: moderate to demanding Journey dates: August 15, 2009 and September 5, 2009 Group Size: 6-8 persons     Day 1: Team unites at Haridwar Day 2: Drive to Joshimath, stay at hotel Day 3: Drive to Badrinath, stay at hotel Day 4: Rest and acclimatization at Badrinath Day 5: Trek to Dumkal Kharak, camp Day 6: Cross Nilkanth Khal (Holds worth's Pass-4650m) , camp Day 7: Trek to snout of Panpatia Glacier (38

Many a ranges crossed, some colours vanished and some new became bright and predominat. The noise and crowd of Manali and the Rhotang Pass were behind. The Chandra river welcomed with its desolate indifference and soon after Kunzum Pass (4550m) we were in Spiti. The country in the middle! Reminding me of the fantasmal "middle earth". The journey has begun. The fellowship is bestowed upon. We were now in Manirang county. Sitting in the Tata Sumo for 14 hours, the only place I could relate to in Manali was the 'German Bakery'. It was only place where life was a bit settled and one could get a decent cup of tea and croissants! Although there is no German connection to the shop; but the food is pretty good. There was even Yak cheese for sale (Rs 1000/kilo!!!). To my surprise we found another "German Bakery' in the bazar of Kaza. Both the Manali and Kaza shops are run by Nepalese. Interesting but not surprising; as they are the hard working and enterprising

Many a ranges crossed, some colours vanished and some new became bright and predominat. The noise and crowd of Manali and the Rhotang Pass were behind. The Chandra river welcomed with its desolate indifference and soon after Kunzum Pass (4550m) we were in Spiti. The country in the middle! Reminding me of the fantasmal "middle earth". The journey has begun. The fellowship is bestowed upon. We were now in Manirang county. Sitting in the Tata Sumo for 14 hours, the only place I could relate to in Manali was the 'German Bakery'. It was only place where life was a bit settled and one could get a decent cup of tea and croissants! Although there is no German connection to the shop; but the food is pretty good. There was even Yak cheese for sale (Rs 1000/kilo!!!). To my surprise we found another "German Bakery' in the bazar of Kaza. Both the Manali and Kaza shops are run by Nepalese. Interesting but not surprising; as they are the hard working and enterprising lot in

On June 19, 2009, Kiran and Thendup fixed rope all the way up to the summit of Manirang. The very next morning, Martin Muecke, Matt Duffy, Thendup climbed ( 14 hours) by the South Ridge to the summit of Manirang (6593m). Rajeev Ranjan decided not to attempt for the summit at the very last moment. Feeling poorly with a chest infection, I myself did not go beyond the summit camp as well. Or may be since I had climbed Manirang before (2006), I was not motivated enough! But to face the truth I was not strong enough that morning either. On June 21, me and Kiran climbed a unnamed peak ( 5650m) near Camp1 (4900m). The climb turned out to be longer and more exposed than I had expected. We both climbed free and without a rope. I must say it was not a very wise thing to do! It was great fun and rewarding in the end! On June 23, Martin and Kiran climbed Saponang on fine snow and ice conditions and in early morning hours! Martin has two rare Himalayan summits this time and Kiran has 3!!! Will po

it took us 12 hours to reach Kaza yesterday. The ride was not comfortable; but the spectacular Spiti mesmerized us. There is still alot of fresh snow on Rhotang and Kunzam Pass (4550m). We had great views of the great Himalayan Range.   This morning, while Rajeev, Matt and Martin went to visit the Key Gompa, I went to road head village of Mane and organized our mules to Base Camp. It was good to see Singhe Dorjee after 3 years. Kaza and Mane has developed a lot since my last visit in 2006. Roads are better and the villages look like a symbol of peace and prosperity.   We also had our first view of Manirang yesterday. The route looked snowy. It seems that we will be having a snow bound Base camp and will need to plod to Camp 2 ( Manirang Pass). Other than that, sun is shining and weather looks good and so is the spirit of the team.   -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com Raja's personal blo

After 26 hours of Poorva Express (Howrah to New Delhi) and 14 hours of bus travel (Delhi to Manali), we have finally made Manali. After weeks its great to be in some pleasant temperature and to be among mountains again! Rajeev, Matt, Martin, Thendup, Lhakpa, Kiran, Indra and me are now united. The team is complete. Shopping of food, fuel done. Transport to Kaza arranged. From tomorrow the real adventure begins. All the phone calls, emails, stress can wait. Here we come ...Manirang! -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com Raja's personal blog: http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139 Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

It would not be right if I do not mention the names of those extraordinary persons who extended their helping hand in making the small yet significant cyclone relief effort possible. Arindam Mukherjee Utpal Mukherjee Subrata Bhattacharjee Diganta Roy Chowdhury Sumitava Biswas Ramesh Sharma What they did was inspiring! They are our heroes! cheers! -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com Raja's personal blog: http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139 Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

on June 4, 2009, a few friends did it again. This time we could reach the Bali island of Sundarban. Distributed over 3000 liters of water, 600 Kilos of rice, 200 kilos of Dal, 8 sacks of Bleaching Powder, a few cartons of Oral rehydration salt, medicines, and baby food and more.   We drove to Godkahli ( approx 125 kms from Calcutta) and the took a boat ( 1 hour on the Durga duani river) to reach Bali Island. From Bali Island our friends are distributing food , water and medicine deeper in remote parts of Sundarban.   Since I am in a hurry to catch a train; I am positing few photos that I took yesterday. After a month when I am back from Manirang Expedition, I should be able to share some more photos from this day.     -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com Raja's personal blog: http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139 Optional Nu

This morning Subroto, Raja and Abhijit started for the road heads of the Sundarban Tiger Reserve ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundarbans_National_Park ).   This time we were not going for a pleasant river cruise. We were not in holiday mood at all. We had collected medicines, food, clothes for victims of cyclone Aila. We could get in touch with our friends in Bali island. They had come down to God khali jetty in a boat to meet us.   It has been almost an week since the cyclone visited the mangrove delta tiger reserve. But in most of the remote villages there is still acute shortage of water, medicines and food.   I have attached some pix from our today's venture (May 30, 2009). Now with more knowledge of what exactly is in need for the helpless people of Sundarban, we are organizing another relief effort on June 4, 2009. Anyone interested to join hands with us can send me email or call. -- Adventure Mania official website: www.adventuremania.com Upcoming Trips blog: htt

Cyclone Aila Tomorrow Raja and Subroto (Babua) are leaving for Sonakhali, near the Sundarban Tiger Reserve with food and emergency medicines. This is a venture by Adventure Mania to reach out to the victims of the cyclone. Its a small effort but this can make a difference. I will post photos of this relief effort when we are back. Those of you who are not aware of Cyclone Aila can check out the following video that I found on NDTV See: Aila aftermath NDTV.com All Rights Reserved. ©Copyright NDTV Convergence Limited 2009. Disclaimer This message was sent using SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend   Report spam | Remove me