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http://www.indiandefencereview.com/lt-c ... n-in-1978/he was assigned this top secret mission by Kumar. ‘The objectives of our mission were (a) to find out details/evidence of any explorations from the Pakistani side (b) to see if any track or route was being built or used by the Chinese to access this region (c) to map the possible route for the full expedition which was to be inducted subsequently (d) to ascertain how many people and what equipment would be needed for the expedition and (e) identify the possible logistical challenges and address them’.
Kalon’s recce team had four other instructors from HAWS and they set out on their mission in the summer of 1978 with porters, ponies and camels for support. They travelled to Sasoma by vehicle and thereafter the journey was on foot. Their first stop was Changlung followed by Tongstead and Warshi before they reached the snout of the glacier. ‘We had only blank maps and were required to mark all the landmarks, routes, proposed camp locations and other important features for the expedition. We spent around two weeks in and around the glacier to gather all the information. On our return I gave a sand model briefing to the Commandant and also presented the terrain assessment, route mapping and logistical support estimate for the expedition which was being planned before the onset of winter in the same year’.
Thereafter Kalon was appointed as the Deputy Leader of Kumar’s Teram Kangri Expedition Team of 1978 and led from the front. The team set out in September 1978 and the main party reached Khalsar on the 2nd. Kalon’s ancestral home at Tegar served as a virtual transit camp for the expedition team and since his family owned the only double humped Bactrian camels in the region at that time it was decided to use their services as well during the journey. Based on the inputs of the recce mission Camp-I was established at the base of the summit after crossing the Teram Shehr glacier, at an altitude of around 19,000 feet. Kalon was then tasked with opening up the route to the summit from the glacier and marking it out with ropes so that the others could follow. The route to Camp II was over a steep ridge and also went under loosely hanging ice masses which could give way anytime. However Kalon’s team successfully navigated the path and established the Camp at 21,000 feet. ‘The stay at this camp was very risky as there was a constant threat of falling stones and avalanches. While the food consisted of ‘khichdi’ which we cooked by melting the ice the biggest problem was the toilet as we had to precariously balance our self with ropes while watching for falling stones and had less than a minute before freezing’, recalls Kalon. On 6th October 1978 the route to Camp III established at an altitude of 23,000 feet was opened. Finally on 13th October 1978, the 24,300 feet Teram Kangri –II Peak on the main crest of the Karakoram Range was summited by the Indian Army mountaineers who stood overlooking the Shaksgam Valley. ‘‘This entire expedition lasted almost three months. Almost every day Pakistani fighter planes would fly close to us trying to observe our movements and intimidate us.
| Siachen: How India Outraced Pakistan
