Satopanth : The true path In mountainering as in life

At last a welcome and refreshing change of flavour.

This season we were being served a surplus of "Biriyani and Kababs" from the "guided" trips to the 8Ks,starting with the Big E; a sure recipe for indigestion.

Now comes the far more humble but so much more tasty "Egg Curry and Rice".
Congratulations to Anindya's Indo-German Team.Satopanth and one more 6K,and that too a small team,alpine style.

Shipton and Tillman would have loved it.

One can almost feel the day,the warm rock of a multiple -pitch face,the holds,the sound of the hammer as the piton goes in,the click of the carrabiner,the feel of the rope as you pass it through,then the next few yards ,and then a good belay stance,and you shout down to your partner "come on up".The breeze blowing off the face cools you as you bring up your partner.
And the day goes on.You take a chocolate and water break,and move on.You reach your next camp site,drop your load, and rappel off down.
At camp, you crowd into the kitchen tent,drink and drink and drink and plan for tomorrow,as you help to get the dinner ready.

Oh the pleasure of sleep well deserved,after a days "honest" climb.
That is "Egg Curry and Rice.Enjoy it,for you deserve it,youhave earned it by the honest sweat of your honest brow.
Dont envy the Sherpa served Biriyani,"Saab route to camp1 is ready,lets go tomorrow.I will bring Chai at 5".

I understand ,Anindya, that this was your last trip as "summit support".And you gave up your summit ambition on an oft climbed peak,to climb an unknown 6k.

Shipton and Tillman would have loved that too.

As do all, and I mean all, "mountaineers" who believe "how you climb is far more important than how far you climb".

That is the reason why ,when someone "googles" Nanda Devi East or Zemu Gap your name pops up,an Indian from the banks of the Hoogly.

You have done us proud,we thank you.
Take pride in what you have done,for you deserve it.You have "opened a new route", acclaimed by your "true peers",an inspiration to future "mountaineers".

God speed,and the very best of luck.

Rupak Bhattacharya

Doctor

rupakb55@gmail.com

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