A committed adventure enthusiast never retires, or hangs up his shoes. His approach may vary, companions may change but the passion remains intact. This is true for all lovers of the Himalaya. With advancements in technology and infrastructure, access to deeper and remote valleys in the Himalayan range has become possible. New opportunities have opened up for travellers, trekkers and mountaineers. What took months to explore, is now quickly experienced. While smaller valleys and peaks allow one the enjoyment of a quick visit, the higher peaks and unknown areas can still be enjoyed over longer trips. There are very few valleys and peaks that remain untrodden. Now that Everest has been climbed innumerable times, the future of mountaineering lies in lesser-known smaller peaks that are by no means easy to climb. The author has described treks in Sikkim, Kishtwar, Chhota Bangahal, Obra gad, Hanle, Chushul, Kashmir and several others. The book narrates a well-researched history of Italian World War II Prisoners climbing in the Himalaya, visits to Bhutan and Tibet and personal recollections of trekking in Darjeeling with legendary Sherpas about five decades ago, a visit to ’The Plateau’—a rarely visited high area of Sikkim and a trek along the forbidden Shyok river in Eastern Karakoram. These articles give an insight into many Himalayan areas, their history, the people, politics and the period of development of Himalayan climbing in India during the last few decades. For an armchair mountaineer there are personal stories, accounts of the life of Sir Frances Younghusband, trekking with mobiles, and interaction with climbers and travellers of different nationalities. With maps, sketches and photographs, this book will be an invaluable guide to both present and future mountain enthusiasts. Contents: Foreword Preface Books by the Author List of Illustrations SIKKIM 1. Memories: Training, Sherpas and Friends from 1964 2. Chasing Circular Rainbows or the Brocken Spectre: Trekking on the Sandakphu Ridge 3. An Autumn Trek to Tholung Monastery: Trekking in the Dzongu Valley of North Sikkim 4. The Plateau: Mountains of the Sikkim–China Border KASHMIR – KARAKORAM 5. Old Trails, New Companions: Treks in Kashmir 6. Two Walks in the Kishtwar: The Kablas Lakes and Bhut Nala 7. Younghusband: ‘Damned Rum Name’ – The Life and Times of Sir Frances Younghusband 8. On the ‘Death Trail’: A Journey across the Shyok and Nubra Valleys HIMACHAL PRADESH 9. Prisoners of the Himalaya: ‘YOL – Your Own Locations’ 10. Ramblings in Chhota Bangahal: Kullu Valley 11. Mobile with a Mobile in the Himalaya: A Ringing Revolution 12. A Peak, a Pass and a Monastery: Hanle – Hangrang and Gyundi 13. A Road Much Travelled: Treks on Trails by Early Explorers UTTARAKHAND 14. The Valley of Flowers: A Trek to the Bhiundhar Valley, Garhwal 15. The Valley of Friends: My Companions from the Saryu Valley, Kumaun 16. An Autumn Walk to Kedar Kantha 17. We Are the Pilgrims: Mountain Ranges and Temples of Garhwal 18. In the Valleys of Eastern Kumaun: Byans, Johar and Danpur 19. Obra Gad – the Hidden Valley: Western Garhwal 20. The Age of Exploration: Dhauli Valley, Niti Pass and Bara Hoti TIBET AND BHUTAN 21. A Hundred Years after Younghusband: Travels in Tibet 22. Across Bhutan in Eighteen Days: A Journey across the Dragon Kingdom 23. Himalayan Disaster – Nature’s Fury or Man-made Calamity?: A Look at Himalayan Floods in Recent Memory Select Bibliography Index About the Author: Harish Kapadia has made a unique contribution to our knowledge of the Himalaya—as editor of The Himalayan Journal, one of the most authoritative and comprehensive records of exploratory activity in the Himalaya; through his numerous books and as a leader and organiser of countless expeditions over the years. His deep knowledge, accounts of his journeys and personal experiences recounted in many books and articles, serve as a valuable source of information of the region. Harish began climbing and trekking in the hills around Mumbai in his youth. His first visit to the Himalaya was almost six decades ago, and he has never looked back since, still trekking and climbing actively. He has climbed more than 30 Himalayan peaks, many of them being first ascents, and crossed more than 140 Himalayan passes to explore different valleys. He continued with his passion in spite of facing serious personal injuries and loss. He suffered a major family setback when his young son, Lt. Nawang Kapadia, fell to a bullet while fighting terrorists in Kashmir. From 1997 to 1999, he served as Vice President of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and was awarded the IMF Gold Medal in 1993, and the Tensing Norgay Award, the highest Adventure Award in India. Harish was honoured with the Patron’s Medal by the Royal Geographical Society, ’for contributions to geographical discovery and mountaineering in the Himalaya’. He was also honoured with Piolet’s d’Or (Asia), King Albert Medal (Belgium) and Joss Lynam Medal (Ireland). Harish has been invited to many countries to lecture on his Himalayan exploits, and is a member of several organisations. He is married, and lives in Mumbai.