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BULL KUMAR AND THE BARAHOTI INCIDENT
Our Founder and Managing Director
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We listened to the story of this expedition with great admiration and interest, so we are going to share a short version here.
The Colonel had recently returned to Gulmarg from an unsuccessful attempt on Everest, and was, without any explanation summoned to HQ in Delhi. Thinking he had somehow done something wrong, he spent the whole trip on tenterhooks. When he reached HQ, he saw among the many high ranking generals and officers, the man himself, PM Jawaharlal Nehru. “What on earth can all these fellows be wanting with a lowly captain such as I?” he thought. |
Their plan was to have Col Kumar lead a team for a lightning trip to create any army post at Barahoti, before the winter had passed. Which was at most 4 weeks away. Being told by many it was impossible, Bull simply replied that nothing is impossible, and proceeded to explain how he wanted to pick his team, collect them from around the country and head off immediately. But, he said, he had one small request. Would they please give him permission, once this mission was over, to led the Neelkantha expedition?
Once on their way from Joshimath, they encountered issues with porters, lack of supplies, weather, illness and unreliable communications. Not to mention the crash of the supply plane, on its second trip bringing them much needed stocks of food and oil. Bull and a few others mounted a search for the plane, and when they had located it they found that all 6 of the aircrew had died. Bull himself cremated the bodies and retrieved identifying personal possessions. Only 1 member of the climbing party died.
Capt Kumar (as he was then) was hailed as a hero and awarded the AVSM, which is normally only awarded to Brigadiers and above. Later in 1961 he led the first successful ascent of Neelkantha.
And that’s why we love working at MHE!
Once on their way from Joshimath, they encountered issues with porters, lack of supplies, weather, illness and unreliable communications. Not to mention the crash of the supply plane, on its second trip bringing them much needed stocks of food and oil. Bull and a few others mounted a search for the plane, and when they had located it they found that all 6 of the aircrew had died. Bull himself cremated the bodies and retrieved identifying personal possessions. Only 1 member of the climbing party died.
Capt Kumar (as he was then) was hailed as a hero and awarded the AVSM, which is normally only awarded to Brigadiers and above. Later in 1961 he led the first successful ascent of Neelkantha.
And that’s why we love working at MHE!
JUDY SMITH
Judy was born in Sydney and now spends most of her time in India. She's trekked extensively in Nepal, backpacked around Asia, and spent large sums in overpriced coffee shops in Europe. If it's something silly, she has probably done it. That's why her considered advice is so fabulous.
Judy was born in Sydney and now spends most of her time in India. She's trekked extensively in Nepal, backpacked around Asia, and spent large sums in overpriced coffee shops in Europe. If it's something silly, she has probably done it. That's why her considered advice is so fabulous.