Nagpur Mountaineers: Scaling new heights

Mountaineering. The word itself arouses the feeling of thrill deep within. Mountaineering may be a common thing now, but several years ago, this was not the case. Lack of proper equipment, trekking gear, difficulties in carrying oxygen supplies, non-availability of exact maps and effective training discouraged many. Here is an inspiring tale of ‘Nagpur Mountaineers’, a group of those who believed in defying all odds of the time and scaling new heights...


By Kartik Lokhande
Adventure-lovers are never bogged down by challenges. In fact, they are raring to go wherever there are challenges. And, this is exactly what ‘Nagpur Mountaineers’ did years ago. Started in 1981, it was a pioneering group. Now, though the number of mountaineering expeditions has come down, the group still exists as that of mountaineering enthusiasts.
“When we started as the group dedicated to mountaineering in 1981, it was a pioneering effort. Today, the activity has gained popularity and lot many options are available. In fact, after we stopped functioning as a regular club in 1999, people asked us to function like a travel agency, which we cannot do,” recalls Pradyumna Sahasrabhojanee, President of Nagpur Mountaineers.
‘Dharmaveer’ Dr B S Munje, who had founded the first Military School (Bhonsla Military School, Nashik) believed in imparting physical and military training to the youth. His grandson Anand Munje had undergone high altitude trekking programmes organised through National Cadet Corps (NCC). He decided to start a mountaineering organisation in Nagpur in August 1981 and named it ‘Nagpur Mountaineers’. Ramesh Ladkhedkar, a good organiser and a keen environmentalist, guided Anand Munje during the formation of ‘Nagpur Mountaineers’.

Published on 'Sunday Sundae' page in The Hitavada on July 13, 2014

The organisation was founded to build confidence in youth and orient people about environment conservation. “The founders saw a great potential in orienting the youth towards nature observation and conservation through adventure sports,” recalls Sahasrabhojanee. Anand Munje was Founder President, Avinash Korde, Pradyumna Sahasrabhojanee, Avinash Deoskar, Sudhir Moharir, Sameer Bendre, Sameer Bangale, C K Tayade,, Lt Col G K Andhare were among the founders. Former Editor of ‘The Hitavada’ G T Parande also was closely associated with ‘Nagpur Mountaineers’.
Initially, the organisation conducted long-duration camps and rock-climbing camps in the ranges of Satpuda Hills. ‘Kojagiri’ all-night treks and monsoon treks also were very popular. Membership of the organization reached over 500 in a very short time. Later on, rock-climbing became a regular activity around abandoned mines in the region and also at ‘Ambhora’ on the bank of river Wainganga where over 100 feet high rocky outcrops provided excellent opportunities for practising this sport. In more ambitious programmes, some pinnacles and forts in the Sahyadri also were climbed.
After some talented and enthusiastic members started attending Mountaineering courses offered by Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) at Uttarkashi, and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) at Darjeeling; they decided to undertake mountaineering expeditions in various regions of the Himalaya. First such venture took place in May-June 1985 for climbing Mount Norbu and Mount Deotibba. Mt Norbu (17,500 ft) was summitted while attempt on Deotibba had to be abandoned due to bad weather. In 1986, a long duration traverse was attempted across various regions of Himalaya, partly on foot, partly by vehicular transportation.
In 1987, a high-altitude trek was organised to Beas Kund, Hamta Pass-Rohtang Pass. This was precursor to a mountaineering expedition organised in 1988 to climb Mt Ladakhi, Mt Manali, and Mt Makarbeh. Mt Ladakhi and Mt Manali were summitted. Thereafter, such quality ventures continued for several years including treks in Nepal and Garhwal Himalaya. The highest mountains climbed during these expeditions were Mt Jogin I (1995) and Bhagirathi (1997).
Of course, there were adversities and accidents. Participants in various activities had suffered injuries/fractures and even loss of toes due to frost-bite on various occasions. However, these events were taken in the stride and the activities were not affected aversely. But, the year 1997 brought a shock to all. During Bhagirathi Expedition, leader of the expedition Avinash Korde suffered a fall and died. This dealt a body-blow to the activities of the organisation, says Sahasrabhojanee.
For some time, the activities of ‘Nagpur Mountaineers’ were discontinued. “However, it was only for time being. We started taking up activities again since 2004,” says Sachin Kolarkar, Secretary of Nagpur Mountaineers. The activities taken up later included Lamkhaga Pass Mt Saro Expedition (2004), Mt Fawara Rang and Charang La Expedition (2006), and Mt Choksarang – Kinner Kailash Expedition (2009). “Now, our activities are restricted to mountaineering in Himalaya. Today, trekking is done by many but peak-climbing, ice-climbing is done by very few trained persons only. We are still registered with Indian Mountaineering Foundation, from which permission is to be sought for peak-climbing,” Kolarkar adds.
Commenting on the present-day scenario, Sahasrabhojanee laments that when a larger number of people in the society started pursuing mountaineering and trekking activities, a number of commercial ventures started to cater to thheir needs. He elaborates, “It was increasingly experienced that the people were willing to pay money for taking part in these activities, but were not willing to participate in the organisational work and in planning and execution of the programmes, which was so necessary for proper training. The option which was left was to turn commercial and work as a travel agency, which was not to the liking of the old timers. In any case, the pioneering work of bringing these activities to the Central Indian Region was already achieved. Therefore, a decision was taken to discontinue the activities for the public at large. Since then, some of the old members have continued the activities in the specific areas of their liking at personal level or through other organisations.”
After all, once a mountaineer is always a mountaineer!

‘Nagpur Mountaineers’ to be honoured today
The pioneering work, and its continuation in a dedicated manner, of ‘Nagpur Mountaineers’ has won it many accolades. The latest one is the award declared by 13th Girimitra Sammelan by the organisation ‘Giripremi’.
On Sunday (July 13, 2014), Nagpur Mountaineers will be honoured with Girimitra Giryarohan Sanstha Sanman-2014. Anand Munje, Founder President; and Pradyumna Sahasrabhojanee, President; will attend the 13th Girimitra Sammelan and will accept the award on behalf of Nagpur Mountaineers in a function to be held in Mumbai.
There are more honours for ‘Nagpur Mountaineers’. Dhananjay Bhagat, a well-known mountaineer and adventurist from Akola, will be honoured with Girimitra Giryarohak Sansthapak Karya Sanman-2014. Bhagat also is a member of Nagpur Mountaineers and runs an adventure club Ajinkya Adventure in Akola.