Introduction | Expeditions | Lectures & Presentations

Given below is a list of some of the diverse adventures & expeditions he has undertaken since 1973.

• Schoolboy Expedition – As a 16 year old, took part in the Indian Public School boy’s expedition to Black Peak 21,000 ft in Garhwal in May 1973 reaching 19,000 ft.

• Trans Himalayan trekking expedition – Participated in a month long St. Stephen’s College Trans Himalaya trek from Manali over the Shingo La via Padum to Kargil over 400 kms in May- June 1975.

• Anthropological & Deep Sea Fishing expedition – Led a three member two week expedition, visiting different islands in the Andaman's, studying the indigenous tribes and doing deep sea fishing in May –June 1977.

• Solo attempt & Himalayan expeditions – As a liaison officer with the British Kalanka expedition of Allen Fyfe & Bob Barton, attempted nearby Bamchu peak as a solo climbing effort and reached 19,000 feet. Also went with the American Dunagiri expedition, British Merseyside expedition to Sattu Da Par, Polish KR4 expedition and the Mulkila M5 expedition.

• European Alps , Scotland and Wales - From May 1979 to March 1980, went to the French, Swiss & Austrian Alps, the Italian Alps and Dolomites for trekking, rock climbing, Ice climbing, mountaineering, downhill & langlauf skiing as well as tandem hang gliding and kayaking.

• Activities were in the Engadine valley & Zermatt in the Swiss Alps; Chamonix in the French Alps; Cima Tosa and Cima Brenta, Cima Molveno & Torre di Pratti in the Italian Dolomites; Snowdon & A Dream of White Horses in Wales and Ben Nevis & The Raven’s Gully in winter on the Bucchaile Etive Mor in Scotland, to name a few.

• Virgin Himalayan Expedition – Made first ascents with Japanese expedition from Hokkaido University, of Z1 6400 metres as well as Independence Peak 5600 metres in Zanskar, J&K in 1980.

• Rafting Expeditions – Participated in the Rogue River expedition in Oregon in May 1981 and a five-day expedition down the River Zanskar in India in July 1981and again in 1995.

• Cycling Expedition – Member of a French cycling expedition from Delhi to Kathmandu, via Pokhara, a journey of 1500 kms over three weeks in December 1981.

• All India Rock climbing expedition – Led a three member dedicated rock climbing expedition to different parts of India making ascents and first ascents around Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pachmarhi in October 1984.

• Camel expedition – Led India's first camel expedition of 450 kms, crossing the Thar Desert in Rajasthan starting from Jaisalmer and finishing in the Rann of Kutch in February 1986.

• Light weight & semi alpine style expedition - Made the first Indian ascent of Mt. Meru North 6450 m in September 1986 using no porters, guides or tents. As part of the Indo Swedish effort, used lightweight tactics and made the ascent in 4 days & descent in 2 days. There has been no Indian ascent since.

• Mountain Rescue – Under an Inlaks Grant, in 1988 undertook a Mountain Rescue project in North Wales, Scotland and Chamonix, training in Mountain Rescue and applying these skills and knowledge into the Indian Himalaya. Sir Edmund Hillary was a Patron of the project and formed society called HELP – Himalayan Evacuation and Lifesaving Project.

• Arctic environmental expedition – Was an Instructor with Robert Swan's ICEWALK International Students Environment Expedition in the Canadian Arctic near the North Pole, under the auspices of the (UNEP) United Nations Environment Programme studying the ozone hole and global warming for a month in May 1989 based at Eureka in Ellesmere Island at 80 degrees north.

• Elephant expedition - Led first Indian Elephant Expedition of 101 kms in the forests of Kerala starting from Adirapally Falls near Trichur till Tamil Nadu border into the Parambikulum forest reserve .Rode bareback without howdahs for 11 days in Jan 1990.

• Youth Educational Expedition - Was the Chief Field Leader of an International Youth Educational Expedition in Sikkim in May 1990 in cooperation with the Youth Exploring Society of India and the British Schools Exploring Society, UK studying hydrology, botany, ornithology, etc. trekking till the Goecha La under the shadows of Mt Kanchenchunga.

• Angling Expedition – Was part of a British Angling Expedition that went to the Himalayan tributary rivers of the Ganges at places like Rameshwar and Pancheshwar for a week of angling for the mighty Mahaseer (Carp family) 1992. 

• Frozen River & Winter Expedition - Led 'Ice Trek', a pioneering Indo-British winter expedition in Ladakh and Zanskar with Lord John Hunt as Patron. This was a journey of 150 kms from Padum to Nimu on the frozen River Zanskar through the gorge in February 1994 consisting of 5 British and 2 Indians. Studied Zanskari lifestyle in winter and also awarded the Explorers Club flag for the expedition. Also attempted Stok Kangri 6153 m in winter with skis.

• Bungee jumping and tandem sky diving – Undertook a bungee jump at Hanmer Springs and a tandem sky dive in Christ Church in New Zealand in 1995.

• Wildlife Ecotourism expeditions 1996- 2001 - Visited over 25 National Parks and Sanctuaries all over India, Sri Lanka and South Africa to assess the ecotourism potential and lay out strategies for the tourism industry. In Periyar, walked with poachers turned guides and in South Africa participated in a Lion capture.

• Hot Air Ballooning – Did hot air ballooning over the Napa and Hidden Valleys in California in 2000and in India in Rajasthan in 2009.

• International Friendship Expedition – Participated in an Indo Pakistan Friendship expedition in the Swiss Alps, climbing Monch, under the aegis of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the World Climbing & Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) in 2002, the Year of the Mountains. We acknowledged the Swiss Govt declaration of Aletsch glacier as a World Heritage site and also took on an advocacy role in creating a Trans Boundary Environmental Peace Park at the disputed Siachen Glacier between India and Pakistan.

• International Eco tourism & Volcano Expedition – Led a two-week expedition to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Ascended the Barren Island volcano, undertook Rainforest treks, and studied Tribes & Tribal issues, Tourism Impacts and ecotourism ideas in March 2003. Presented a white paper on tourism to the Government of India including the recommendation of keeping the Nicobar Islands closed for tourism.

• Jeep expeditions - Led a three-week Jeep Safari of over 1500 kms from Delhi to Ladakh over high passes and lakes in June 2003. Earlier, jeep safaris in Zanskar, Spiti and Ladakh.

• Rainforest and highest mountain in South East Asia – Led a two-week trip, climbing Mt Kinabalu (4095 meters) in Sabah, Borneo in December 2006. Explored the rain forests of Sukau, studied the Orangutan and Proboscis monkeys and rafted down the Padas River.

• River Ecotourism expedition – Did a Chambal River expedition with the Madhya Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board on the bio diverse rich River Chambal, to bring eco tourism to dacoit troubled villages and convert them to Naturalists. Studied conservation and bio diversity issues and evolved a tourism activity plan for the area in March 2007.

• The Sacred mountain expedition – Led a three- week Jeep expedition, driving 2500 kms across Tibet from Lhasa to Lake Manasarovar and the 3 day “ Kailash Kora ” trek around the sacred Mt Kailash, crossing the Dolma La pass at 18,500 ft in May-June 2007. Also visited the Base Camp of Mt Everest North face from the Tibetan side.

• Anniversary climbs in the Swiss Alps – Participated in the 150th year anniversary celebrations of the Alpine Club in Zermatt and climbed the South face of Rifflehorn, Pigne de la Le and Mt Allalain to commemorate 150 years of the Alpine Club, 75 years of the Himalayan Club & 60 years of India’s independence.

• Arunachal multi-adventure journey – Led a two week multi adventure journey to remote Arunachal Pradesh, from Tawang in the East to Pasighat and beyond undertaking jeep safari, trekking through tribal villages and rain forests and rafting down the Siang.

• Fly fishing in Vermont – In the summer of 2008, did fly fishing for bass in the state of Vermont near Burlington, USA.

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