EASTERN KARAKORAMS:
The Eastern Karakoram is the
formidable and unknown area north of Ladakh and Leh. It contains several large
glaciers and formidable passes. From 1980 till 2000, Harish Kapadia
has visited these areas 7
times, exploring different valleys.
The Siachen Glacier which is scene of conflict between India and Pakistan was
visited three times. He was instrumental in exploring the Terong Glacier systems
and climbed peaks on the North and South Terong glaciers. One of the few
civilian parties to be allowed on this glacier under control of the army. He
traversed the entire length of the glacier and reached Indira Col
(Workman, 1912) and Turkestan La (Younghusband, 1888).
The Chong Kumdan Glacier was
known due to a glacial blockage caused at its mouth
which generated devastating floods. His was the first and only expedition
that have explored the dam and the glacier. The team climbed several peaks on
the glacier, including the highest
of the group, Chong Kumadn I. Many side glaciers and valleys were explored.
Other areas and peaks in the surrounding valleys like Aq Tash peak, Thangman
Glacier and North Kumdan glaciers
were thoroughly explored.
 The Rimo Glaciers are
huge and longest in the East Karakoram. Harish trekked to the historic Karakoram
Pass, only the third civilian party to
stand there in last 40 years. He also explored the Central Rimo Glacier, which
was not visited since expedition of Filippi de Filippi in 1913-14. They
discovered lakes (Lake Filippi and Lake Dainelli) and recorded large number of
unclimbed peaks. He stood on
“Col Italia”, only the second
party to reach there.( Prof. G. Dainelli, was the only other person to have
reached the Col, way back in 1929).
 The Arganglas valley was
explored in 2001 while in 2002 with japans mountaineers traversed the Shyok
valley to reach, Karakoram Pass, crossed Col Italia (first time
since 1930) and descended the Siachen Glacier. During the expedition the high Teram Shehr Plateau was explored by
him- first ever team to reach there.
 SPITI
VALLEYS
The unknown Lingti Valley in
eastern Spiti was explored by Harish in 1983 and 1987. By three different routes
they entered and covered the entire length of the valley. The highest peak of
Spiti, Gya (6794 m) was discovered by him and photographed for the first time.
In the western valleys of
Spiti, his was the only party (two members)
to explore Khamengar
valleys. They descended the Ratang Gorge which had only one visitor before them,
Sir Peter Holmes in 1955.
 KINNAUR
The Rangrik Rang Range,
in the Charang Province of Kinnaur, bordering Tibet was explored by him in 1994.
The highest peak of the range was climbed. At different times, areas of
Hansbeshan and Shaone Gad were explored.
 GARHWAL
The
Nanda Devi Sanctuary was visited by
Harish first in 1970. One of the few early parties to visit and climb Bethartoli
Himal. He returned to enter the inner Sanctuary in 1974 and climbed
Devtoli. Finally in 2001, as leader of the official IMF sponsored expedition he
explored unknown corners in the Sanctuary to prepare a detailed Management Plan.
Other
new areas visited for explorations were Bhagirtah Kharak Glacier and crossing of Shrak La (first and only
one to do so till now
after Shipton-Tilman in 1934). Exploring of Arwa Valleys and
photographing of Arwa Tower and Arwa Spire peaks, exploring of Trimukhi Parvat
in the Jadh Ganga valleys (only visitor till present
after J. B. Auden in 1931), and attempt on the
Panpatia Glacier to discover the Col crossed by Shipton-Tilman in
1934.
KUMAUN
In 1982 Harish explored the upper Lasser Yankti
and Darma Valley. Passes like Gangchal Dhura and
Shin La were crossed in a pioneering effort.
During
two expeditions then unknown valleys of the Kalabaland Glacier were
explored and peak Chiring We at its head was climb (not repeated as yet).
In
the eastern Kumaun valleys, the Balati Glacier and the Pyunshani
valleys were explored and peaks of Panch Chuli Groups were climbed.
 SIKKIM
His was one of the first Indian teams to explore the
northern areas of Sikkim, north of
Zemu Glacier like Lhonak Valley no sooner Sikkim was part of India. With one
other member the entire North Sikkim area was covered and all the peaks
photographed for record.
Many of the above explorations have not been repeated as
yet. They were difficult and pioneering and trekkers an climbers have found it
difficult to repeat the same. However in some cases his explorations have led to
opening of the area for climbers. Based on his writings climbers and trekkers
have followed his footsteps to
these unknown valleys. | 
