Himachal Pradesh, Indian Ascents. A team from Dum Dum was led by Pabitra Bhusan Sanyal. The summit of CB53 (6095 meters, 19,995 feet) was gained on September 8 by Soumitra Ganguly, Chandan Lohia and high-altitude porter Maniram. This was the first Indian ascent of this peak. An 11-member team was led by Jishnu Dutta Goswami. Details are awaited but apparently they were successful on Menthosa (6443 meters, 21,140 feet) and Phabrang (6172 meters, 20,250 feet). A six-member ladies’ team from New Delhi consisted of Rani Puri, Bharati Dubey, Vasanti, Nzeen Katrak, Vimla Negi and Anita Rekhi. Beyond Batal they set up two transit camps, Base Camp and three more camps. Katrak had pneumonia at Camp I and had to be brought down. Despite this and porter problems, Vasanti, Rekhi and a high-altitude porter reached the summit of Central (6213 meters, 20,620 feet) at the end of September. Kulu Pumori (6533 meters, 21,500 feet) was climbed by five members of an expedition led by Mahendra Sharma in September. A team led by Nisth Chakraborty climbed Chau Chau King Nilda, also known as Guan Nelda (6303 meters, 20,680 feet), in the autumn. Devachan (6187 meters, 20,300 feet) was climbed in September by an expedition led by Sunil Das.

Kamal K. Guha, Editor, Himavanta, India