On Pankpo La, Zanskar

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Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow.

-Anonymous

In Memoriam

Everyone passes on, so do the mountaineers and the explorers. Some die after a long life and having enjoyed the mountains to the fullest. Their life is eventful and fulfilling. But the nature of the sport is ‘calculated risk taking’, especially for serious climbers. They take risks head-on, more than we normal person can dare, it is their life. And they are ready to pay the ultimate price, of life itself.

The mountaineering community generally pays tribute to their friends and comrades – who have passed on or those who have been killed prematurely in an accident. It is of paramount importance that others know about their achievements and the events. The Memoriam or Obituary is very important for the family and friends behind these persons In addition, the Memoriam or Obituary also serves as an important reference. After many decades, perhaps its these writings alone that remain as the major reference, in many cases the only reference, about a mountaineer.

Kedarnath peak from temple

Harish Kapadia has written ‘In Memoriam’ for many of his friends and mountaineers he had the honour of meeting.

Major tragedy was that he had to contribute an ‘In Memoriam’ for his own son, Lt Nawang Kapadia, a mountaineer who died fighting in Kashmir at the prime age of 25 years. That is life!

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