2010 Obra Valley, Himalayas

The Obra Valley expedition was undertaken in September and October of 2010 by five students, three of whom were making their first College–supported expedition.  The objectives were to explore the Obra Valley, achieve the ascent of unclimbed peaks within the range of 5,400m to 5,900m, identify potential climbs for future explorers, and to inspire College members and the wider climbing community to explore this part of the Himalayas.  None of the five participants had been on an expedition to the Himalayas before. Members of the Board commented that the planning of this expedition had been exemplary and the proposal was to be made available to other expeditions as an example of good practice.

The valley is in an area located to the north of Delhi in India’s Western Garhwal in the Himalayas, and lies within the Govind Pashu National Park.  As is customary in this area, the team used the services of a local agent to arrange transport from Delhi to Jakhol, and then to provide porters to assist in the trek to the main base camp.  

After enduring three days of continuous rain during their walk into the Obra Valley, base-camp was established and a first attempt was made on peak Point (Pt) 5,877m (Dauru).  However due to the steep terrain the objective was changed to Point 5,480 which the team successfully summited.  In order to tackle Dauru, a decision was made to move the advanced base camp to reduce the height gain on the summit day, a strategy which proved to be successful.  Attention was then turned to Pt 5,554m (Ranglana) which had proved to be difficult to ascend from the Obra Valley base-camp.  The team then approached the peak from the south face instead of their original proposed route and were able to successfully reach the summit.

The climbs were accomplished over a period of 13 days, after which the expedition spent a day in base camp resting and packing.  The return journey by road was again littered by landslides before they reached Dehradun where they caught the train to Delhi.  Whilst in Delhi the group were able to attend some of the track cycling and athletic events of the XIXth Commonwealth Games.

In addition to funding provided by the Exploration Board this expedition was supported by the Mount Everest Foundation, Welsh Sports Council, British Mountaineering Council and the Lyon Award (Equipment Donation).