Ice climbing is a new tourist-puller at Manali and Lahaul-Spiti in India's Himachal Pradesh state. The temperature dipping many notches below the freezing point is creating perfect conditions for ice climbing in the area where waterfalls and water streams are freezing completely. Gulaba and Marhi area of Manali and entire Lahaul-Spiti district has become winter destination for ice climbers -- both professionals and novice. The sub-zero temperature between December and mid-March is perfect for the adventure activity. Easy approach, trained guides and easy availability of all facilities have helped in popularising this activity in the Himalayas. Earlier Spiti and Manali were preferred destinations for ice climbing in winter seasons. As Atal tunnel has provided winter access to Lahaul valley for the first time this year (2020), Lahaul has emerged as the best destination for ice climbing. Over a hundred waterfalls and water streams have frozen in Lahaul-Spiti district alone. While there are small frozen falls for newbies, there are a few frozen falls for professional climbers that are as high as 250m. The temperature in Lahaul valley and upper Gulaba and Marhi areas of Manali falls as low as minus 15 to minus 20 degrees Celsius in winters while it plunges below minus 20 degrees Celsius in Spiti valley. Ice climbing aspirants head to Himachal to learn ice climbing techniques from the trained guides. Most guides are trained from Manali based Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS). Many professional climbers from India and abroad also visit Himachal to prove their mettle. Ice climbing can be practiced independently or as part of a mountaineering expedition. Glaciers and frozen waterfalls are by far the most popular ice climbing venues in Himachal. Many versatile ice climbers also practice mixed climbing– a variation of ice climbing that involves climbing on ice,
Ice climbing is a new tourist-puller at Manali and Lahaul-Spiti in India’s Himachal Pradesh state. The temperature dipping many notches below the freezing point is creating perfect conditions for ice climbing in the area where waterfalls and water streams are freezing completely. Gulaba and Marhi area of Manali and entire Lahaul-Spiti district has become winter
Ultramarathon runner Kieren D’souza has set a new record by running across two mountain passes with altitude more than 13,000ft, covering total distance of 126km in less than 19 hours. The trained mountaineers and trekkers otherwise take 6 to 10 days to cover the same route. This ultra-running starting and ending at Manali involved traversing Hamta pass (14,000ft) and Rohtang pass (13,050ft) held under observation of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) on September 5 midnight. This run was given a name “triple trouble run” for its three hurdles Manali to Hamta pass, Hamta pass to Rohtang pass and Rohtang pass to Manali. Kieren didn’t stop until he completes the whole run at about 7pm in Manali. Manali-Hamta pass-Chhatru is a popular trekking route among India and foreigner trekkers. Hamta Pass trekking is completed in four days. Kieren completed this stretch in just a few hours. Chhatru to Rohtang and then Rohtang to Manali stretch was also completed in just few hours. Trekkers generally take a minimum of nine to 10 days to complete this circuit but Kieren D'souza completed it in 19 hours. ABVIMAS director Col Neeraj Rana said the race held under the close watch of two observers from the institute. “Kieren has completed the race in 18 hours 55 minutes. Nobody has done this before,” Kieren D'souza said. Before this, Kieren D'souza accomplished almost impossible task of climbing 17,300ft high Mt Friendship peak in just one day in June. He started running from Manali, reached Beas Kund, the base of the peak, successfully climbed the snow-laden peak, climbed down, and ran back to Manali in just 12 hours. Trained mountaineers take days in planning and then at least five days to climb it. Kieren D'souza hails from Nagpur but lives in Manali. He
Ultramarathon runner Kieren D’souza has set a new record by running across two mountain passes with altitude more than 13,000ft, covering total distance of 126km in less than 19 hours. The trained mountaineers and trekkers otherwise take 6 to 10 days to cover the same route. This ultra-running starting and ending at Manali involved traversing
For 38-year-old Shiva Keshavan, it took six Winter Olympics, career spanning over 22 years and many Asian and world records to fetch Arjuna Award, the very first National Sports Award in the winter sports category. Be it skiing, snowboarding, luge or any other winter sports, no athlete had won a national sports award until Saturday when country’s only professional luger Shiva Keshavan was awarded with Arjuna Award for his contribution to the winter sports. Keshwan, the fastest man on ice in Asia, received this award from the President Ram Nath Kovind in a virtual ceremony at Delhi on Saturday. Resident of Manali, Shiva Keshavan is six-time Olympian and recipient of 10 medals including four gold in international luge championships. He sustained his career as a professional luger for 22 years mostly by crowdfunding and could not participate in any championship for two years due to financial crisis. He was among the 29 athletes who were recommended for Arjuna award by Union Sports Ministry. Shiva Keshavan was the youngest athlete in the world to qualify for 1998 Winter Olympics in luge at age of just 16. Since then, he participated in consecutive six Olympics. He has won four gold, four silver and two bronze in Asian Championships in Nagano, Japan and Altenberg, Germany from 2005 to 2017. Shiva Keshavan still holds the unbeatable Asian speed record of 134.3 km per hour. This is why he is called the fastest man on the ice in Asia. While other athletes received national sports award in well known sports, this is for the first time that government recognised a winter athlete for this award. As a sport, very few people in India have heard about luge. Despite being the first Indian to win award in international sports and even setting Asian records, Keshavan has
For 38-year-old Shiva Keshavan, it took six Winter Olympics, career spanning over 22 years and many Asian and world records to fetch Arjuna Award, the very first National Sports Award in the winter sports category. Be it skiing, snowboarding, luge or any other winter sports, no athlete had won a national sports award until Saturday
Six-time Olympian and recipient of 10 medals including four gold in international luge championships, Shiva Keshavan, who sustained his career as professional luger for 22 years mostly by crowdfunding, has been recommended for Arjuna award. A resident of Manali, the 38-year-old Keshavan, is among the 29 athletes who have been recommended for the Arjuna award by the National Sports Awards Selection Committee of Union Sports Ministry. While other athletes have been recommended for the award in well-known sports, this is for the first time that government is awarding an athlete for luge, a sport about which very few people in India have heard. Keshavan is presently president of the Olympians Association of India and chief coach of the national team by Luge Federation of India. He was the first Indian to ever win an international medal in winter sports and is the only athlete from the country to qualify for Olympics in luge. “Finally years of my hard work is getting recognition. I think I could have done better if I had government support since the very beginning of my career. I am thankful to the members of the selection committee for giving me this opportunity. It means a lot to me. Hopefully, this will help in the improvement of the winter sports infrastructure in the country,” Shiva Keshavan said. The story of Shiva Keshavan qualifying for the Winter Olympics for the first time in 1998 till being recommended for this prestigious award is full of struggle and hard work. Though he participated in over 100 world championships, Asian Cups and other international tournaments but always remained in the financial crisis for his sports gears, travel and training expenses. He could not participate in any championship for two years due to lack of funding. Given his skills and zeal for
Six-time Olympian and recipient of 10 medals including four gold in international luge championships, Shiva Keshavan, who sustained his career as professional luger for 22 years mostly by crowdfunding, has been recommended for Arjuna award. A resident of Manali, the 38-year-old Keshavan, is among the 29 athletes who have been recommended for the Arjuna award
Ski and Snowboard India (SSI), the governing body of winter sports in India, has been recognized as “full member” of the International Ski Federation (FIS), the apex body for international winter sports. SSI has also qualified for one vote in the International Ski Congress. The officials of Ski and Snowboard India on Wednesday received a letter from the FIS president Gian Franco Kasper and secretary general Sarah Lewis to confirm that “Ski and Snowboard India is a full member of the FIS and qualifies for one vote at the International Ski Congress.” SSI secretary general Roop Chand Negi said, “This is a proud moment for the country, especially the winter sports athletes of the country. Finally we have been recognized as a permanent member of the FIS. The skiing remains dominated by European, American and some of the Asian countries where winter games infrastructure is very strong. As more and more athletes are taking interest in winter games in India, and our government is taking winter sports seriously, we are also improving our winter sports infrastructure. For some time, we are being treated equally on international platform.” Earlier, Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI), established in 1984, was the governing body for winter sports in India. It was an affiliated member of FIS since 1988. Following many discrepancies, it remained suspended for many years. For not complying with government’s directive to conduct fresh election of the body, WGFI was de-recognized by Sports Ministry in 2018 under provisions of National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. Recognized by Indian Olympic Association, the Ski and Snowboard India (SSI) was formed as new apex body for skiing and snowboarding. “With support from the Indian Olympic Association, sports ministry and all state associations, SSI has made a clean image amongst FIS and other national
Ski and Snowboard India (SSI), the governing body of winter sports in India, has been recognized as “full member” of the International Ski Federation (FIS), the apex body for international winter sports. SSI has also qualified for one vote in the International Ski Congress. The officials of Ski and Snowboard India on Wednesday received a
While hoteliers in Himachal are getting training on resumption of the operations amid Covid-19 pandemic, the state government is also introducing some new extreme water sports in Himachal to woo the tourists. As soon as ban on tourist movement is lifted, tourists will get to experience jetovator, hydrofoil and jet skiing at Tatapani and Larji reservoirs of Himachal. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali, will train local youths from Tatapani and Larji areas next month. The trained youth will then operate the activities for tourists in their respective areas. The machines and related equipment which are not available in Indian market have been imported from the foreign nations. ABVIMAS director Col Neeraj Rana said, “The courses for jetovator, hydrofoil and jet ski will start from July 7 at Pong Dam. The machines and required equipment have reached Himachal. Once the tourist inflow is allowed, these activities will be available immediately. In an effort to make Himachal an international hub of adventure sports, more and more new activities will be introduced in the future,” he said. White water river rafting is the main adventurous water sport available in Himachal. Lakhs of tourists experience this activity every year. Jetovator, a flying water-powered bike and hydrofoil, a technology that facilitates in sailing like an aircraft, are new introduction to the water sports in Himachal. Made for speed, jet ski is also expected to woo the adventure enthusiasts. Himachal has over a hundred small and large manmade reservoirs. Himachal government is planning to introduce water sports in many of them which will not only boost tourism but provide employment to local residents. ABVIMAS, which runs special courses in mountaineering, climbing, skiing, rafting and many other streams year-round, has stopped the courses due to coronavirus pandemic since March. Government, hoteliers,
While hoteliers in Himachal are getting training on resumption of the operations amid Covid-19 pandemic, the state government is also introducing some new extreme water sports in Himachal to woo the tourists. As soon as ban on tourist movement is lifted, tourists will get to experience jetovator, hydrofoil and jet skiing at Tatapani and Larji
Himachal can now host international skiing and snowboarding championships as Solang slopes near Manali are being developed to meet all the requirements of international standards. The length of the existing slope is being increased by over 130m. The surface of the slope will be leveled and groomed. A team of technical committee led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) director carried out a final survey of the spot on Thursday. Taking advantage of the lockdown when Solang valley is missing the tourist crowd, the work will start in a few days. ABVIMAS director Col Neeraj Rana said the work on slope will begin in 2-3 days. “Slope is being developed keeping in view the international standards. Work will continue day and night and will finish within two weeks. The ground survey was conducted in presence of technical team on Thursday. The existing slope is about 340m long which will now become 470m-long. Come winter season and the snow-laden slope will be in a new look,” he said. At present Himachal has two skiing slopes – one at Solang and other at Narkanda. Both slopes are in dilapidated condition in absence of basic infrastructure. The natural slopes are short in length and not work hosting international races. Local ski clubs with help of government have hosted many state and national level tournaments on the slopes but failed to get approval to host international events. Rana said Solang can now host international tournaments from this year onward. “Solang slopes get very heavy snowfall. Slopes are well connected by road and ABVIMAS has its hostel at Solang. The area has many hotels. All conditions are favourable for world-class skiing. The short slope was the main hurdle. Some other technical issues of the slopes will be improved one by
Himachal can now host international skiing and snowboarding championships as Solang slopes near Manali are being developed to meet all the requirements of international standards. The length of the existing slope is being increased by over 130m. The surface of the slope will be leveled and groomed. A team of technical committee led by Atal
No raft is floating on the rivers, skies have no paragliders, the rugged terrains are missing the ATVs, challenging Himalayan trails have no hikers and nobody is skiing down the backcountry slopes in Himachal. With tourism around the world coming to a standstill, the adventure tourism industry of the state has also been hit hard, leaving thousands jobless. Not just the hoteliers, thousands of people operating adventure tourism have been left jobless by the Covid-19. Himachal has emerged as a top adventure tourism hub of the world where adventure enthusiasts from around the world come for all kind of activities. Paragliding, rafting, mountaineering, skiing, heli-skiing, ATV rides and almost every adventure activity is available in the state. As tourism is expected to take many more months to come back on the track, thousands of adventure activity operators are worrying for their future. “All the industries have been hit by the Covid-19 but tourism industry has suffered the most. The agriculture, horticulture, construction, trades and all industries are returning to normalcy one by one. But the tourism will take a long time to resume. All the adventure activities too have come to a grinding halt. Thousands have lost their jobs. Now everybody is looking at government for relief,” Adventure Tour Operators Association president Roshan Lal said. Adventure tourism in Himachal has become a multi-crore industry that runs almost round the year except for monsoon season. It has become one of the largest employers in the state. May and June are the peak season when lakhs of tourists try hand at various activities in the state especially in Kullu, Shimla, Kangra and Chamba districts. The state has all the activities except for bungee jumping. The government was to start setting up world’s highest bungee jumping near Marhi at altitude of about 11,000ft
No raft is floating on the rivers, skies have no paragliders, the rugged terrains are missing the ATVs, challenging Himalayan trails have no hikers and nobody is skiing down the backcountry slopes in Himachal. With tourism around the world coming to a standstill, the adventure tourism industry of the state has also been hit hard,
The tourist town of Manali will soon get an ice hockey stadium that will be built for Rs 17cr by a company from the Netherlands. The stadium and the ice rink will be built as per international standards. Youth services and sports minister Govind Singh Thakur said on Tuesday that an MoU has been signed with a Netherlands based company and the work will start very soon. The huge stadium will be built in Manali which is otherwise famous for skiing and snowboarding. After the ice skating rink of Shimla and ice hockey rink of Spiti, it will be the third ice rink of the state. But, unlike other ice skating and hockey rinks of the country, this rink will be designed and built according to international standards so that international events could be organized here in the future. “This will be first such stadium of the country. Winter sports infrastructure is being strengthened in Manali. Besides skiing slopes, now we shall have a beautiful ice hockey rink where our children will rehearse and will prepare for national and international competitions. We can even host international events in the future. The stadium will also help in boosting the winter tourism,” Govind Thakur said. कुल्लू मनाली में नीदरलैंड की कंपनी इंटरनेशनल आईस हॉकी स्टेडियम बनाने जा रही है जिसके लिए कंपनी ने 17 करोड़ रूपये का एमओयू प्रदेश सरकार के साथ साईन किया है।@jairamthakurbjp सरकार का उद्देश्य देश व प्रदेश के खिलाड़ियों को खेल में अपनी प्रतिभा निखारने के लिए यह एक सराहनीय कदम है। pic.twitter.com/FSBOCY7jQM — Govind Singh Thakur (@govind4betterHP) December 24, 2019 The government is searching for the land for the project. The company will coordinate with Manali based Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports for technical and other support. Once complete, the stadium is likely
The tourist town of Manali will soon get an ice hockey stadium that will be built for Rs 17cr by a company from the Netherlands. The stadium and the ice rink will be built as per international standards. Youth services and sports minister Govind Singh Thakur said on Tuesday that an MoU has been signed
A group of 13 adventure sports instructors has set a world record by rafting the Beas from close to its origin till its end point in Himachal Pradesh in four days. The feat was achieved by rafting day and night. Two rafts and three kayaks were used in the expedition. All the participants were the instructors from Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali, led by director of the institute Colonel Neeraj Rana, who wanted to prove their mettle in the adventure sport besides popularizing water sports in Himachal. The expedition starts from Manali on October 23 and ended near Pong Dam in Kangra. Formal announcement of the record would be made by Limca Book of Records in a few days after analyzing the video footage and other records. “This was much difficult than we had imagined. I am extremely happy that my team has made it to the record books by being first to raft from Manali to Dehra in four days,” Col Rana said. He added that the total distance calculated by the expedition was 210km. “None of us had knowledge about the river flow, depth, falls, speed and entire geography. It was full of adventure and two days we had to raft in night time – one day till 2:30am as well – to achieve the deadline of four days.” Rana added that contrary to their belief that the stretch between Manali and Kullu has the most challenging rapids, the stretch between Mandi and Sandol had the grade-4 and grade-5 rapids. He further added that with the fast flow, high rapids and tight gorge, this area challenged them where it was difficult to maneuver the rafts. As a large number of tributaries meet the Beas, its water level keeps increasing. While water was
A group of 13 adventure sports instructors has set a world record by rafting the Beas from close to its origin till its end point in Himachal Pradesh in four days. The feat was achieved by rafting day and night. Two rafts and three kayaks were used in the expedition. All the participants were the
