Adventure Tourism in Himachal Pradesh
When
the snows herald in winter, the area around Solang Nala attracts skiers to its
extensive natural slopes. In the summer months, there are limited skiing possibilities
on the slopes of the Rohtang Pass. The government-run classes provide their
own centre with a natural open-air ice-skating rink. Under Scandal Point on
the north side of the ridge facing the Dhauladhar are Blessington's tennis courts
which become, in the months of December and January, Shimla's Ice Rink. The
Shimla Club is privately run and has been instrumental in popularising all three
disciplines on ice for more than twenty years: figure skating, ice hockey and
speed skating. Boots are made to measure in Shimla itself. Seasonal membership
is inexpensive and national championships are held annually.
It is in Garhwal Himalaya mountains that the infant holy Ganga finds its source.
The Garhwal Himalayas stretch just over 290 km and are separated from the Punjab
Himalayas by the river Sutlej. Garhwal was the first part of the Himalayas to
be explored and surveyed, and the highest peak in these mountains is less than
8,000 metres. Garhwal is flanked by Tibet in the north, Kumaon in the east,
Bijnor in the south and Tehri and Dehra Dun in the west.
Nanda
Devi, also called the 'pearl of the Himalayas' is the highest peak in the Garhwal
mountains. Nanda Devi has twin peaks, the main peak and the east peak. The main
peak was climbed in 1936 by H.W. Tilman andN.E. Odell while the east peak was
scaled in 1939 by a Polish team. Nanda Devi is revered since ancient times and
worshipped as the Goddess Nanda. T.G. Longstaff, one of the earliest explorers
of the Garhwal region has described the holy mountain as: "No mountain
in the world is more beautiful than Nanda Devi."
Another popular peak in the Garhwal region is Kamet. Ten expeditions attempted
this peak before it was finally scaled in 1931 by a team led by Frank. S. Smythe.
At the traditional source of the Ganges one can find the best mountaineering
area probably in the world. A few kilometres above the ice cave from which the
river takes birth are the meadows of Tapovan and Nandanvan, spread at the base
of the most magnificent panorama of peaks you will ever see. The peaks are mainly
over the 20,000 ft mark and still have unclimbed faces offering alpine style
ascents. Mount Shivling has often been compared to the Matterhorn. All along
the 30 km length of the Gangotri glacier are side glaciers, some not yet fully
explored. One can also traverse to the southern face of the crest which provides
steeper ice faces.
In the far west of Garhwal, Har-ki-Dun provides a spectacularly beautiful base
for attempts on the Bandar Poonch group and the approach along the Tons valley
is one of the last unspoiled areas of the Himalayas. Eastwards, now that the
Nanda Devi Sanctuary cirque has been closed, climbers have to approach Trishul
by the more formidable south face. This involves a ten day trek up the Mandakini
valley through impenetrable birch and bamboo jungle to reach base.
Further
eastwards, Kumaon provides the fairly easy access to the Sunder-dhunga glacier,
but the outer curtain of Nanda Devi's cirque beetles over the proceedings defying,
so far, any attempt to climb into her sanctuary from the south. The jagged five
Panch Chuli peaks still require special permission for scaling.
Winter Sports (Garhwal Himalaya):
Joshimath, traditionally a pilgrim town, is now being developed as a skiing
resort for Garhwal. A ropeway is under construction to take visitors from the
town at 6,000 ft to the slopes of Auli and Gorsain near the Kuari Pass at 12,000
ft. The panorama of Himalayan snow peaks from Kuari is perhaps the most spellbinding
in the world.
The bonus for winter visitors to Joshimath is the weather, for in three months
(January through March) of the skiing season there are no clouds as there are
at most times of the year. The clear blue sky and the surrounding snow giants
make this the ultimate ski resort in the making.
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