INDIAN HIMALAYAS

The Himalaya have attracted geologists, geographers, Trekkers and lovers of nature. They have a strange fascination for artists, poets, photographers and mystics. They are a paradise for Trekkers and mountaineers and are the cradle of thousands of rivers, streams and glaciers.

The Himalaya extend over 2500 km in east-west and between 250 to 425 km in north- south direction. The most extraordinary thing about Himalaya is the way they have been formed in three parallel ranges known as Great Himalaya, the Lesser or the Central Himalaya and the Outer or the Siwalik Himalayas. Commencing at Nanga Parbat in the north-west, these reanges pass through Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Garhwal, Kumaon, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. Of these the following form the part of Indian Himalays:-

1) JAMMU & KASHMIR-: Which includes Jammu, Valley of Kashmir, Leh and Zanskar area.
2) HIMACHAL PRADESH:- Which includes the valleys of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Pangi, Lahul, Spiti, Kalpa and Shimla area.
3) GARHWAL AND KUMAON:- Which includes Nanda Devi, Gangotri and Yamunotri area.
4) SIKKIM
5) ARUNACHAL PRADESH

The Indian Himalaya can be divided into four zones parallel to each other:-

1) The Siwalik Foothills- 5 to 50 km wide and their altitude rarely exceeds 1500 m. This region is generally covered with damp forest.
2) The Lesser Himalayan Zone- 40 to 80 km wide and of an average altitude of about 3050 m. In the lower slopes are found magnificent forests of chir, deodar, the blue pine, oak and magnolias, whereas above 2450m are found birch, spruce, silver fir and other species.
3) The Great Himalaya- Comprising the zone of high snow-caped peaks which are about 150 or 160 km from the edge of the plains, this consists of lower alpine zone up to 4875 m and an upper snow-bound zone usually above 4575m to 5100 m. The alpine zone has rhododendrons, thick shrubs with variety of beautiful flowers and grass.
4) The Trans-Himalayan Zone- About 40 km in width, encompassing the valleys of the rivers rising behind the great Himalaya, these river basins are at an altitude of 3600m to 4250m.

Trekking in the Indian Himalaya-

A trekking expedition is as much a discovery of nature as a discovery of one’s self. It also provides a perfect and balanced exercise for limbs, sheds excess body fat, keeps you agile and leaves you fitter than ever before. So pick up your rucksack and get going off the beaten track, on to the Himalaya where the trail seems to disappear over yonder ridge and leads somewhere………

Both are essentially mountaineering activities but trekking is more than just climbing. In climbing, team members have just one aim, one goal in mind; getting to the top of a chosen peak. All concentration is on the logistics and technicalities of the approach march and the climbing; there is hardly any time or mental aptitude to appreciate anything else.

Trekking is something complete and self- contained in itself. A trekker does not have high ambitions to make or mar a trip. Each day’s march is an achievement, each night spent in a tent or a cave dwelling is a happy night; and the top of every ridge unfolds endless vistas.
Trekking in the Himalayas does not require the sophisticated equipment or preparations needed for a climbing expedition, nor does it pose any particular danger or risk to life.

Except for a day or two ascending/descending a glacier, treks are mostly on Ordinary Mountain paths. Walking on paths can be strenuous, but not technically difficult and does not require any special skill. Ordinary people in a physically fit condition, and with normal hiking experience, can undertake a trekking venture in the Himalaya.