Lt. Nawang kapadia collection At american alpine club

The leading Institutes the world over value knowledge and information utmost. Their data bank of past achievements by the members or others is well preserved and allows for a comparison after several decades. For example a picture of the Gangotri glacier taken in 1970 (or earlier) compared with picture taken today will reveal many aspects of Global Warming, glacier movements and effects of the climates conditions on the Himalaya.

I have pictures taken in many parts of the Himalaya since 1962 till present day. They cover a wide vista of many parts of the Himalaya and almost all aspects of the Himalaya like; peaks, glaciers, vegetation, people and culture. These form an important record. My original pictures (transparencies) are now lodged as LT. NAWANG KAPADIA COLLECTION in the archives of the American Alpine Club, an Institution founded in 1902. These are housed at the headquarters at Goldon, Colorado and are being scanned for hosting them on the Web site. It will be preserved and available for many decades, if not permanently. Each picture is captioned with description, year and where possible angle/direction looking at.

There are more than 7000 pictures and some are also housed at the Alpine Club, London (founded in 1857) and the Japanese Alpine Club, Tokyo (founded in 1905). At each of these institutions they are under the same name, LT. NAWANG KAPADIA COLLECTION. My all digital pictures (all after 2003) are in process of being catalogued and once ready they too will be added to above collection. With communication and internet developed so well, any material is easily accessible wherever they may be.

At the entrance of the Royal Geographical Society, London (founded 1830) is a board with list of recipients of the Patron’s Medal every year, since 1831. I received this medal in 2003 (dedicated to Lt Nawang Kapadia). After the presentation ceremony the President of the RGS led me to the entrance. There, with usual British efficiency, my name was already written with a black tape over it. I ceremoniously removed the tape, as if inaugurating it. The President remarked: ‘Now go and enjoy the party, we will look after this for next 100 years’. Not many Institutions can say this with certainty! This planted the germ of the idea to create a collection at the other great Institution, the American Alpine Club. Name of Lt. Nawang Kapadia with this collection will be remembered for next 100 years at least!

You can view first 1500 pictures of this collection on their website link as below. http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=harish%20kapadia&w=all&s=int