Chronology Of Indian Himalayan Events

(1624 to 2020)

c. 800 Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have crossed Mana Pass to Guge.

1624 Jesuits Manuel Marques and Antonio de Andrade take Mana Pass to Tsaparang, Tibet.

1631 Jesuit Francisco de Azevedo crosses Mana Pass, reaches Leh in Ladakh across Tibetan Plateau, takes Bara Lacha La and Rohtang Pass on return from Leh. 1714-16 Jesuit, Ippolito Desideri crosses Zoji La in Kashmir to Leh, travels to Lhasa, Tibet.

1782 Map of Hindoostan compiled by James Rennell is published.

1808 Captain Felix V Raper, Lieutenant William S Webb and Hyder Young Hearsey explore upper Bhagirathi and Alaknanda watersheds, Garhwal, making first observations of high Himalayan peaks.

1809 Charles Metcalfe signs Treaty of Punjab with Ranjit Singh, extends British influence in the Himalayan region.

1812 William Moorcroft and Hyder Young Hearsey cross Niti Pass, Garhwal, to Manasarowar Lake, Tibet. Saiyid Mir Izzet Ullah crosses Karakoram Pass.

1814-16 Nepal’s western boundary pushed back to Kali River after East India Company’s foray, leaving Kumaun open for exploration; Nepal’s territories closed to foreigners.

1817 Exploration in Kumaun begins. Captain Alexander Gerard and his brother, Dr JG Gerard explored Kinnaur and Spiti, and almost all passes from Shimla to Baspa valley in Kinnaur.

1817-35 GW Traill is Deputy Commissioner of Kumaun; initiates crossing of a difficult pass from Pindari glacier to Milam valley in 18301820-25 William Moorcroft and George Trebeck explore Ladakh and East Karakoram. 1823 Sir George Everest becomes Superintendent of the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India. 1830-43 Sir George Everest is Surveyor General of India.

1830 Alexander Gardner takes Kadpa Ngonpo La near Karakoram Pass, from Yarkand to Kashmir.

1835-38 GT Vigne makes extensive explorations in Kashmir.

1846 Survey of India starts primary triangulation along the foot of Himalaya.

1846-48 Alexander Cunningham, Dr Thomas Thompson, Henry and Richard Strachey, as members of the Boundary Commiss
ion, between them cover Zaskar, Rupshu, eastern Ladakh and Baltistan, Saser La in East Karakoram, reaching Siachen glacier and Karakoram Pass.

1848 British annex the Punjab, bringing western Himalaya under their control.

1848-49 Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker conducts botanical explorations in eastern Nepal and Sikkim.

1852 Mt Everest (8,848 m) established as the highest peak in the world.

1854-58 Schlagintweit brothers travel in Karakoram and Himalaya. They explored the extreme north-east regions of Ladakh, the Aksai Chin area.

1856 Triangulation and survey of Kashmir begins.

1858 Height of K2 (8,616 m), in west Karakoram, is discovered.

1860 Survey of India khalasi fixes a pole on Shilla.

1861 HH Godwin-Austen surveys East Karakoram glaciers, among them Chong Kumdan and Rimo.

1862-71 Extensive travels in Kashmir by Fredrick Drew.

1864 Western Himalayan reconnaissance surveys by Survey of India completed which had begun in 1846. 1865-85 Survey of Sikkim. Pundit explorers follow the course of Tsangpo River, survey Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh and Kumaun.

1877 In recognition of travels and survey in Ladakh, Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh, Pundit Nain Singh awarded the Patrons (Royal) Gold Medal by the Royal Geographical Society, the first Indian to receive it.

1882-1912 Explorations in Kashmir by Neve brothers.

1883 WW Graham explores Sikkim, crosses Kang La, Guicha La and examines Talung glacier; also explores Kumaun

1887 Sir Francis E Younghusband crosses Muztagh Pass.

1888-1906 LA Waddell and Claude White explore Sikkim and Bhutan.

1889 Younghusband makes his second Karakoram journey.

1892 Sir W Martin Conway leads a Karakoram expedition.

1898 General Charles G Bruce explores Nun-Kun group.

1899 Douglas Freshfield’s reconnaissance of Kangchenjunga.

1903-04 Younghusband’s Tibet expedition reaches Lhasa: Captain HD Ryder and others conduct an extensive survey south of Lhasa, examine Tsangpo’s (Brahmaputra River) course from Shigatse to its source.

1905 Dr Jacol-Guillarmod attempts Kangchenjunga, Sikkim. Dr Tom G Longstaff’s first expedition to outer Nanda Devi Sanctuary

1907 Longstaff climbs Trisul I. CW Rubenson and Monrad Aas reach 7,280 m on Kabru North (7,338 m), Sikkim.

1909-13 Triangulation link for making modern map of the regions between India and Russia is completed.

1909 Longstaff explores Siachen glacier.

1910 Re-survey of Himalaya begins. Dr AM Kellas climbs Pauhunri (7,125 m) and Chommoyummo (6,829 m), Sikkim.

1911, 1912 Workman couple explore Siachen glacier.

1913 Charles Meade reaches what is now known as Meade’s Col (7,138 m) on Kamet (7,756 m), Garhwal, camps for a night, the highest camp till Everest expeditions later. FM Bailey and HT Morshead’s first exploration in Arunachal Pradesh

1911-13 Survey of India explores eastern Assam Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh).

1914 Filippo de Filippi’s Karakoram exploration.

1914 Count Calciati’s ascent of Kun

1914-18 First World War.

1920 Dr AM Kellas and Morshead attempt Kamet.

1922, 1924 Two expeditions attempt Everest.

1925 Dr Ph C Visser’s Hunza exploration in west Karakoram.

1926 Kenneth Mason explores Shaksgam valley, north of Siachen glacier.

1926, 1927, 1932 Hugh Ruttledge explores Nanda Devi ring of mountains.

1928 Himalayan Club is founded.

1929 Major flood caused by advance of Chong Kumdan glacier, East Karakoram. Two smaller bursts occurred in 1932-33 and 1937-39, last of such bursts. Himalayan Journal’s first volume published. Paul Bauer attempts Kangchenjunga

1929-30 Dr Ph C Visser’s Karakoram expedition discovers Terong glaciers to Siachen glacier’s east, and explores areas east of Karakoram Pass. Dainelli’s exploration of Siachen glacier.

1930 Dyhrenfurth’s attempt on Kangchenjunga.

1931 Bauer’s second Kangchenjunga attempt. Smythe’s ascent of Kamet.

1933 Marco Pallis’ ascent of Leo Pargial.

1934 Shipton and Tilman’s Nanda Devi Sanctuary expedition; they make first ascent of Maiktoli (6,803).

1935 Visser’s Karakoram expedition to Terong valley and Karakoram Pass. Captain James Waller attempts Saltoro Kangri I (7,745 m), East Karakoram. CR Cooke climbs Kabru North (7,338 m), Sikkim. F Kingdon Ward explores upper Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh.

1935-38 For Survey of India, Major Gordon Osmaston and Noel E Odell re-survey the Garhwal Himalaya, specially the Gangotri glacier establishing triangulation points.

1936 Tilman and Odell climb Nanda Devi. Bauer’s team climbs Siniolchu. Japanese team (S Takebushi) climbs Nanda Kot.

1937 British (Frank Smythe) climbs Mana (7272), solo

1938 Schwarzgruber explores Gangotri glacier area, climbing Bhagirathi II, Chandra Parvat, Mandani Parvat, Swachhand and Shri Kailash.

1939 André Roch climbs Dunagiri, attempts Chaukhamba I (7,138 m), Garhwal. Karpinski’s ascent of Nanda Devi East. L Schmaderer’s German team climbs Gimmigela (Tent Peak) (7365) in Sikkim.

1941 Colonel JOM Roberts makes first ascent of Dharamsura (White Sail) (6420), Kullu.

1942 Sir Francis Younghusband passes away.

1947 Swiss team’s ascents of Kedarnath, Satopanth. India’s independence and partition, and first India-Pakistan war.

1949 Nepal is opened to climbers; Swiss team (Rene Dittert) makes first ascent of Pathibara (Pyramid Peak) from Nepal; death of Frank Smythe.

1950 Tibet invaded by Chinese communist armies and closed for explorations. Anglo-Swiss team comprising K Berril, A Tissiéres, G Chevalley and R Dittert climb Abi Gamin (7355), Garhwal. WH Murray’s Garhwal and Kumaun expedition.

1951 Duplat and Vignes attempt Nanda Devi traverse, but are missing, presumed dead. New Zealand team (HE Riddiford) climbs Mukut Parvat (7242), Garhwal.

1952 V Russenberger and L Georges climb Chaukhamba I (7138), Garhwal. Graffs’ ascent of Manirang.

1953 Major ND Jayal climbs Abi Gamin (7355) from south. Pierre’s Nun (7135) ascent. Ascent of Mt Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

1954 Himalayan Mountaineering Institute established.

1955 First ascent of Kangchenjunga. Major ND Jayal leads Indian team to Kamet’s summit (7756). death of Dr Ph C Visser. Hamish McArthur and Frank Solari explore Barashigri glacier, Lahaul.

1956 Holmes’ exploration of Spiti. British women expedition (Joyce Dunsheath) explore Barashigri glacier, Lahaul. HW Tobin, first secretary of the Himalayan Club passed away.

1958 Indian team (Gurdial Singh) makes first ascent of Mrigthuni (6855), in outer Nanda Devi Sanctuary. Indian team (KF Bunshah) climbs Cho Oyu (8125), Nepal, Major ND Jayal dies on the expedition. Joss Lynam and Hamish McArthur explores Barashigri and Gyundi valleys in Lahaul and Spiti. Hamish dies of heart attack while on the expedition Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) founded.

1959 Captain MS Kohli climbs Nanda Kot (6861). JTM Gibson makes first ascent of Bandarpunch I (6316); Indian team (SN Goyal) climbs Chaukhamba I (7138); Dalai Lama fled to India seeking political asylum, causing uncertainties along the Himalayan border with China.

195-59 JTM Gibson’s Himalayan trips.

1960 First Everest attempt by Indians. Ales Kunaver’s ascent of Trisul II (6690) and Trisul III (6009); Japanese expedition (Sadako Hosokawa) climbs Deo Tibba (6001), Kullu.

1961 Gurdial Singh climbs Maiktoli (6803) and Devistan (6678) in Nanda Devi Sanctuary, Kumaun. Colonel N Kumar’s controversial attempt on Nilkanth (6596). P Chaudhary ascends Nanda Khat (6611), Kumaun; Lynam’s first ascent of Shigri Parvat (6526). Josephine Carr and B. Spark with Jigmet and Wangyal Sherpas first ascent of Central Peak (6285).

1962 India-China war. Indian (Amulya Sen) climbs Nilgiri Parvat (6474), Garhwal. Japanese team (Dr K Onodera) climbs Indrasan (6221), Kullu. Second Everest attempt by Indians

1963 D Pandya climbs Shri Kailash (6932), Garhwal. KP Sharma climbs Tharkot (6099), Kumaun. Ang Kami climbs Forked Peak (6108), Sikkim.

1964 Death of Dr Tom Longstaff; Indian, (Colonel BS Jaiswal) makes first ascent of Rathong (6679), Sikkim. Indian (Colonel N Kumar) climbs Nanda Devi (7816), Kumaun. Indian (Hari Dang) climbs M5 (6370), Lahaul. British (Robert Pettigrew) makes first ascent of Kullu Pumori (6553), Lahaul.

1965 Second India-Pakistan war. Kohli’s Everest expedition. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering is founded. Indian (Sheoraj Singh) makes first ascent of Ganesh Parvat (6352) and R Raju climbs Chandra Parvat (6739), Garhwal.

1965-70 Controversial Indo-American expeditions to Nanda Devi Sanctuary

1966 R Jaikumar climbs Shilla (6132). Jaonli (6632), Garhwal, climbed by Indian team (Hari Dang). T Haralu’s team makes first ascent of Gorichen (6538), Arunachal Pradesh. Indian team, (CK Mitra) makes first ascent of Tirsuli (7074), Kumaun

1967 Brig DK Khullar’s Indian team makes second ascent of Leo Pargial (6791), Kinnaur. British team’s (R. Pettigrew) first ascent of Papsura.

1968 Indian (P. Dasgupta) climbs Sangthang (6480), Dennis Gray’s British team makes first ascent of Mukerbeh (6069)

1970 Indian team’s (RG Desai) first ascent of Bethartoli South (6318), four climbers die in an avalanche on Bethartoli I (6352). British team (Captain S Bemrose) makes first ascent of Menthosa (6443), Lahaul. Indian team (Lt Col JC Joshi) climbs Jogin I (6465) and Jogin III (6116), Garhwal.

1971 Third India-Pakistan war. Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) team, (JC Ojha) made first ascent of Rajrambha (6537), Kumaun.1972 Japanese, (Shigmazo Ibayashi) make first ascent of Phabrang (6172), Lahaul. Indian, (Giriraj Sah) climb Nanda Khat (6611), Kumaun. Shimla Agreement signed.

1976-1982 Several expeditions approaching the area from Pakistan make first ascents of peaks such as Teram Kangri I (7465) and Apsarasas I (7245), the most formidable being Singhi Kangri (7751) from the north in 1976 led by H Saito.

1974 Most areas of Ladakh and Zanskar opened Indian, (Hukam Singh) First ascent of Shivling (6543). Indian (SP Chamoli) ITBP, makes first ascent of Nilkanth (6596), Garhwal. Changabang (6864) (Chris Bonington- Balwant Sandhu) scaled. Four women of Indo-New Zealand expedition (Shashi Kanta-Margaret Clarke) killed while attempting Hardeol (7151), Kumaun by avalanche. Jorkanden’s ascent by ITBP team (DS Mallik) and army (Capt. K. Kumar); Indian (Harish Kapadia) makes first ascent of Devtoli.

1975 Sikkim becomes an Indian state. French, (Yve Pollet Villard) climbs Nanda Devi and Nanda Devi East. British Dick Renshaw and Joe Taskar climb Dunagiri (7066), Kumaun, by its south-east face. Japanese team (Kiyoshi Shimizu) makes the first expedition since 1934 into north Nanda Devi Sanctuary and make first ascents of Rishi Pahar (6992), Saf Minal (6911) and Bamchu (6303), Japanese, (I Tanabe) makes first ascent of Kalanka (6931), Kumaun. Indian Army’s, (Lt Col DN Tankha) ascent of Sickle Moon

1976 Indo-Japanese team (Brig Jagjit Singh–K Kano) makes first traverse of the ridge between Nanda Devi (7816) and Nanda Devi East (7434). Americans (H Adams Carter-Willi Unsoeld) climb Nanda Devi (7816) by formidable north ridge. British Peter Boardman and Joe Taskar climb Changabang (6864), Kumaun, by west wall. Yugoslav, Jone Sazonov climbs west face of Trisul I (7120), Garhwal. Kenneth Mason, the first editor of the Himalayan Journal passed away.

1977 Indian army team’s (Col N Kumar) ascent of Kangchenjunga. Italians, Renato Moro makes first ascent of Bethartoli Himal (6532), Kumaun. death of Eric Shipton.

1978 HW Tilman passed away; ITBP, Indian (SP Mulasi) makes first ascent of Hardeol (7151), Kumaun. Indian Army, (Captain Kiran Kumar) climbs Jorkanden (6474), Kinnaur. British, (Dick Hewitt) makes first ascent of Dibibokari Pyramid (6408), Kullu. Indian Army (Col N Kumar) ascent of Teram Kangri II (7407). First issue of Indian Mountaineer published by IMF. 50th year of the Himalayan Club celebrated.

1979 British, (John Thackeray) makes first ascent of Thalay Sagar (6904), Garhwal. Indian, (Sonam Wangyal) climbs Siniolchu (6887), Sikkim. Indian team (Harish Kapadia) makes first ascent of Chiring We (6559), Kumaun.

1980 Indo-American women’s team (Arlene Blum) makes first ascent of Bhrigupanth (6772), Garhwal. Japanese (K. Nakae) make first ascent of Panwali Dwar (6663), Kumaun. Indian Army team (Brig KN Thadani) climbs Apsarasas I (7247) on the Siachen glacier.

1981 Indo-French team (Harish Kapadia-Bernard Odier) makes first ascent of Sudarshan Parvat (6507), Garhwal. Japanese, (Kunihiko Kondo and Minoru Nagoshi) climb west wall of Kun (7135), Zanskar. Indian Army team (Colonel N Kumar) climbs Sia Kangri I (7422) and Saltoro Kangri I (7742) from the Siachen glacier. British (Doug Scott) climbs East Pillar route to summit of Shivling (6543), Garhwal. 5 paratroopers, from the Indian army team (Captain Kiran Kumar); die on Nanda Devi East (7434) during descent; two traverses of the entire Himalayan range by Indo-New Zealand team (SP Chamoli-Graeme Dingle), and another by Indian Army (Captain HC Kohli).

1982 Indian Army team (Major Vijay Singh) climbs Kangchengyao (6889), Sikkim; seven Japanese die in an avalanche on the slopes of Nanda Khat (6611), Kumaun, (S. Ojima); Scottish climbers, Bob Barton and Alan Fyffe scale Bhagirathi III (6454), Garhwal, by its south-west face.

1983 Nanda Devi Sanctuary closed. Ascent of Shivling West by Chris Bonington-Jim Fotheringham and Kishtwar Shivling by Stephen Venables-Dick Renshaw, Silver Jubilee of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation celebrated.

1984 Indian Army stationed on Siachen glacier. Ascents in East Karakoram: Rimo IV (7165) by Indian Army team (Captain KS Sooch), K12 (7428) by Indian Army team (Col Prem Chand); Mamostong Kangri (7516) by Indo-Japanese team (Colonel BS Sandhu-Yoshio Ogata). Indian, (Harish Kapadia) climbs Bandarpunch West (6102), Garhwal.

1985 Indo-British team (Harish Kapadia-Dave Wilkinson) makes first ascent of Rimo III (7233), reaches 7,000 m on Rimo I (7385). Indian-Japanese team (Hukam Singh-Dr Masato Oki) makes first ascent of Saser Kangri II (West) (7518), East Karakoram. Indo-French armies’ expedition (Col BS Sandhu-Lt Col JS Marmier) climbs west face of Kamet (7756).

1986 ITBP team (SP Chamoli) makes first ascent of Saser Kangri III (7495), East Karakoram; death of Tenzing Norgay.

1987 Yugoslavs (Vlidamar Lado) climbs Trisul I (7120), Garhwal, by its west face and Ms Vlasta Kunaver para jumps from the summit with others. Indian, (Harish Kapadia), in Spiti, climbs Parilungbi (6166), Runse (6175) and locates Gya.

1988 ITBP team (Illam Singh) makes first ascent of Kakstet (6461), Ladakh. Indo-Japanese team (Hukam Singh-Yoshio Ogata) makes first ascent of Rimo I (7385).

1989 Indian team (Harish Kapadia) explores Aq Tash, Thangman and Chong Kumdan glaciers, East Karakoram. Manali-Leh road and areas of Spiti (closed from 1962) now open for visitors, Soli Mehta and RE Hawkins, editors of the Himalayan Journal passed away.

1990 Indian (Sq Ldr AK Singh) makes first ascent of Swargarohini I (6252), Garhwal. Indian (Harish Kapadia and Monesh Devjani) make first ascent of Trimukhi Parvat East.

1990-2002 Terrorism spreads in Jammu and Kashmir; the entire Kashmir valley, Kishtwar, Doda, Kargil and Nun-Kun areas in Zanskar close to mountaineers and trekkers indefinitely.

1991 Major earthquake in the Himalaya damages villages in many areas of Kumaun. Indo-British team (Harish Kapadia-Dave Wilkinson) makes first ascent of Chong Kumdan I (7071), IV (6520), V (6520), Kichik Kumdan (6640), all first ascents, and six other peaks, in East Karakoram.

1992 Many areas in Kinnaur, Spiti, Lahaul and south-east Ladakh are opened (after being closed in 1962), Indo-British team (Sir Chris Bonington-Harish Kapadia) makes first ascent of Panch Chuli V, Stephen Venables rescued after serious injuries, team climbs Rajrambha (6537) and Panch Chuli II,

1993 Indian-Japanese team (Harbhajan Singh and Yoshio Ogata) makes first ascent of Pathibara (Pyramid Peak) (7123), Sikkim. 36 members of international army team (Lt Col HS Chauhan) reach Nilkanth’s (6596) summit, Garhwal, 6 Japanese climbers were killed on the north face of Nilkanth after their ascent (Yuichi Sasaki); British, Mick Fowler and Steve Sustad make first ascent of Cerro Kishtwar (6220), Kishtwar. Indian Japanese team (Hukam Singh-Minoru Nagoshi) make first ascent of Aq Tash (7016) via two routes, East Karakoram. Indian team (Harish Kapadia-Kaivan Mistry) explored western Spiti, Khamengar and Ratang valleys in Spiti after 37 years

1994 Indian team (Col Ajit Dutt) explored routes to Kangto (7090) and climbs Gorichen II (6488), Arunachal Pradesh. First ascents of Twins (7350), by Japanese (Kenshiro Otaki), and Kabru South (7317) in Sikkim by Indian Army, (Col HS Chauhan). Trimukhi Parvat first ascent (6422), Garhwal, by Indian Army, (Capt Bhajan Singh Bist). First ascent of Rangrik Rang (6553) and climb of Manirang (6593) Kinnaur, by Indo-British team (Sir Chris Bonington-Harish Kapadia); JTM Gibson died at age of 86; 50th volume of The Himalayan Journal published.

1995 Border Security Force team (SC Negi), 13 climbers die while attempting Saser Kangri I (7672), East Karakoram, the most serious tragedy in the Indian Himalaya. First ascent of Chaukhamba II (7068), Garhwal, by Indians, (Col MP Yadav); Mana Northwest (7092) Garhwal, ascent by Indo-Japanese team (SD Sharma-Hideyuki Yuematsu); Lungser Kangri first ascent and other peaks in Ladakh by Indians, (Harish Kapadia). Panch Chuli IV (6334) first ascent, Kumaun by New Zealand team (John Nankervis). Controversial attempt of Nyegi Kangsang (7050) (Col MP Yadav).

1997 HC Sarin, a major force behind Indian mountaineering and President of Indian Mountaineering Foundation for 23 years, died; Himalayan traverse by an Indian all woman team (Ms Bachendri Pal). In Ladakh, first ascent of Kula (6546) by Japanese, (Tsunuo Suzuki) and Pologongka (6632) by British, (Michael Ratty); Lt Col JOM Roberts died. Two attempts on Gya (6794), Spiti, failed.

1998 Group of 60 pilgrims and nearly 140 villagers buried in a mudslide caused by heavy rains in Kumaun at Malipa en route to Manasarowar Lake Indians, (Harish Kapadia) make first ascent of Bhujang (6560); Lord John Hunt passed away. First ascent of Gya (6794) by the Indian Army team (Col AB Goth).
1999 IMF team (Motup Chewang) climbs Gya (6794), Spiti; British team (Mick Fowler), climbs Arwa Tower (6352), Garhwal. Fourth India-Pakistan war in Kargil, areas closed to mountaineers.

2000 Indian-French team (Harish Kapadia-Jean F Tripard) reaches Karakoram Pass and Col Italia (5920), climbs Rimo IV (7169)

2001 Indian, (Maj KS Dhami) makes first ascent of Tirsuli West (7035), last unclimbed 7000 m peak in Garhwal. In the Nanda Devi Sanctury (closed since 1983) IMF team Harish Kapadia) enters the Sanctuary with official permission, Sunderdhunga Khal reached after six decades by Motup Chewang. An international team, (Sir Chris Bonington-Harish Kapadia), members Mark Richey-Mark Wilford makes first ascent of Yamandaka (6218), team also climbs Abale Peak (6360) and Amale Peak (6312) in Arganglas valley, East Karakoram. Indian Army, (Lt Col Ashok Abbey) make first ascent of Kangju Kangri (6725) and several peaks in the Pangong range, Ladakh. Prof Ardito Desio, aged 103, passed away.
2002 Indo-Japanese team (Harish Kapadia-Hiroshi Sakai) makes first ascent of Padamanabh (7030), East Karakoram, explores Teram Shehr Plateau, reach Karakoram Pass and cross Col Italia. Indian, (Sangey Sherpa) makes first ascent of Ramjak (6318), Zanskar. First ascent of Suj Tilla (6373) by British (Graham Little and Jim Lowther), route repeated few days later by Indian Navy team, (Lt Cdr S Dam), German team (Herbett Strebel) climbed Nepal Peak (7153) from Sikkim situated on the border with Nepal.

2003 Himalayan Club celebrated its 75th year, 50th Anniversary of the first ascent of Everest celebrated, Indian ladies’ team (Rita Marwah) makes second ascent of Argan Kangri (6789), Patrons (Royal) Gold Medal awarded to Harish Kapadia (second Indian to receive it) by the Royal Geographical Society.
2004 British (Martin Moran) makes second ascent of Chiring We (6559), north west buttress of Thalay Sagar (6904) climbed by an international team (Stephen Siegrist), first time the Tsangpo bend reached from India, Arunachal Pradesh by Indian (Harish Kapadia) team.

2005 – Indo-American team (Divyesh Muni-Don Goodman) climb Karpo Kangri (6535 m) and other peaks in the Lung Tung glacier, East Karakoram. Exploration of Ringkor routes to Takpa Siri (5735 m) from Arunachal Pradesh by Indian team (Harish Kapadia). Tragic year for the Indian mountaineering as 14 persons dies in the Himalaya, including Dr. P.M. Das, a veteran mountaineer, in various accidents.

2006 Two Czech climbers attempted Changabang on north wall of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. They were last seen on the col between the peak and nearby Kalanka. Their bodies could not be traced. Martin Moran and team climbed several peaks in the eastern Kumaun, including Kailash. It was an exploratory and climbing expedition. Panwali Dhar, also in Kumaun was climbed by a team from Bengal. Army sent an expedition to the Siachen glacier which climbed Junction peak and attempted Singhi Kangri by a new route on the south face. The attempt failed.

2007 In pre-monsoon season, a ladies team climbed Bhrigupanth in Garhwal, and Mulkilla IV, was climbed first time after 1939 and they discovered a box from the early expedition with names of all summiteers written in a note in it. Nilkanth was attempted by a Himalayan Club expedition from Kolkata. In an admirable attempt they reach high on the peak but failed to reach the top. Chong Kumdan I was climbed, second ascent, by a new route by Indo-American team. Seven persons reached the summit.

2008 A good year for climbing. First ascent of Chong Kumdan II in remote Karakoram, ascent of Kalanka by the Japanese, Thalay Sagar climbed by one member and two Sherpa team from Kolkata and three French guides climbed Rangrik Rang in Kinnaur. An attempt on Vasuki Parvat by the British failed while Zemu Gap I Sikkim was crossed second time, after the first crossing by Bill Tilman.

2009 Kellas Peak in north Sikkim was attempted for the first time in many decades, but the best climb by Martin Moran in Kumaun, of Changuch. In Garhwal a French team climbed Mukut Parvat East. Nearby a Mumbai team attempted the Plateau Peak but had to settle for nearby Tsumzong Kangri (6010 m)

2010 The elusive Vasuki Parvat was climbed this year by a British- New Zealand team in the Gangotri area. Slovenian team climbed Nithal Thaur, a remote peak near Milam Glacier. Jiwa nala and Obra Gad received teams which climbed several peaks, small but challenging. But there was tragedy in Sikkim on Tinchekhang peak where two climbers from Mumbai died. Col. Balwant Sandhu (76), a well-known and celebrated climber dies in a car accident at Delhi, a tragic loss.

2011 Outstanding achievement of the year was the first asset of Saser Kangri II-East peak (7518 m) It was a historical climb was an Indian-American team when they climbed Saser Kangri II by incredibly challenging route. Elsewhere Cerro Kishtwar, was climbed, in Kishtwar area which reopened after almost two decades. Zemu Gap was reached by Anindya Mukherjee from Kolkata, and a team traversed the Girthi Ganga in central Himalaya. On sad note, Jagdish Nanavati, President Emeritus of the Himalayan Club died. He was keen in his study of ascents and may be their failures.

2012- It was an outstanding year for climbing and explorations. Year started with ascents by a Kolkata team which climbed, Jongsong East (7462) and Dome Kang (7264 m) in northwest Sikkim. Shiva in the Pangi valley was climbed by the British by a challenging route while the Indian army put many climbers on summit of Apsarasas I in the Siachen glacier area. Exploration was made of “The Plateau” in north Sikkim, prohibited for many years. It is surrounded by many high and well-known peaks. In Jadh ganga valley several passes were reached. The formidable Chaukan Pass on India-Burma Border was reached by a team from Mumbai. Maurice Herzog, known for its ascent of Annapurna died.

2013 The year will be known for devastating flood in Garhwal which killed many pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath shrine. It causes large devastation all along the course of Mandakini and the Ganga till foothills. In Ladakh challenging peak, “The Plateau” was climbed after several past attempts. Nearby Indian climbers explored the Chamshen glacier and climbed peaks.

2014-Nanda Devi East was climbed in 75th year of its first ascent, Kanchenjunga climbed by north ridge, Rassa glacier was explored and peaks climbed, Hagshu climbed by north face by Mick Fowler and Paul Ramsdan. But a major avalanche stuck on Everest and claimed life of 16 Sherpas.

2015-A giant earthquake hit Nepal, causing much damage and loss of life, a new route o Talung peak was climbed, a Mumbai team explored and climbed in Ryong Kharu and Satgopa glacier

2016-The year will be remembered for deaths of several brilliant climbers and mountain scholars. Following was the list– Jim Curran, a leading author, film maker and colourful personality form the UK. Nicholas Clinch, well known American mountaineers died – he had explored peaks in China and wrote about scientific researchers,-Ken Wilson – a leading editor and publisher from England, Hari Dang, scholar and author from India, and Roger Chorley- President of the Alpine Club and Royal Geographical Society. In climbing scene small but very challenging peaks were climbed- like Vishnu Killa, Sersank North Buttress, Marakula killa and Brahma II. Piolet’s Dior Award for Life Time achievment was given to Tom Nakamura.

2017- This was the 90th Year of the international Himalaya Club. Much celebrations were held including talks, dinners and a special meeting with the Dalai Lama at Dharamsala. Direct route on Thalay Sagar peak was climbed, Raru, Phunangma and Lingsarmo glaciers were explored. Ueli Steck, a solo climber known for his speed ascent died in an accident.

2018 In January a special gathering of Sherpas alive in Darjeeling was held by the Himalayan Club. Elizabeth Hawley, a long standing chronicler of climbs in the Nepal Himalaya passed away. In Lahaul, the south ridge of Menthosa was climbed and the peak traversed by young team from the USA.

2019- A climbing course organised at the Suru valley proved beneficial. Trisul was climbed from the western side by a team from the IMF. Th best climbed of the year was that of Link Sar (west Karakoram) by the Americans which received many prizes. During the year Trevor Braham( former editor of the Himalayan Journal) legendary climber Joe Brown died of old age.

2020 – Due to the pandemic of Corona Virus international and local travel was banned. No activity too place in the greater ranges.