40 years back I had joined the Indian Army, before joining the Indian Army I had undergone Basic & Advance mountaineering courses. I had joined and one of the organiser to organise National Cadet Corps' first successful mountaineering expedition to Central (20620fts.) & Lion (20100 ft.) Peaks in Barasigri glacier of Lahul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. When I was one year of my service I was detailed for Indian Liaison Officer initially for USA expedition to Mulkila 6 (20600 ft.) of Lahul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh and then with a team from Japan Self Defence Force (JSDF), they attempted to climb Sickle Moon in Kishtwar Region of J&K. It was in July & August 1975.
They were 12 members including 2 ladies. The team reached India in 4 groups, There were 3 Sherpas from Darjeeling, West Bengal. One of them was working with the Indo Tibetian Border Police. In 1973 there was a joint expedition with the Indian Army and JSDF, Havildar Ang Choter was the only who was with a team of 1973. I had to communicate with the members through an interpreter. We had employed 2 mail runners and 1 cook. The Japanese members were liking Indian dishes for which we were short of ration. We were dependent on Japanese food items.
After Base camp, Advance Base camp, Camp I, II the summit camp was at an altitude if about 18500 ft. An attempt was made to the summits. They returned the summit camp at about 1 am and went to sleep under the tent. They were five members in this tent, Hav Ang Choter and Lieutenant Takachi were in the center rolling stone hit them while they were sleeping. Hav Ang Choter got a head injury, he was spot dead.Lt Takachi was hit at his chest, he survived the next 2 hrs. and 30 mins. The rescue team went to evacuate them by mountaineers but it was late. The bodies were brought down by 15 climbers, sherpas & one shepherd, it took about 48 hours from 18500 fts to 12500 fts.
They were 12 members including 2 ladies. The team reached India in 4 groups, There were 3 Sherpas from Darjeeling, West Bengal. One of them was working with the Indo Tibetian Border Police. In 1973 there was a joint expedition with the Indian Army and JSDF, Havildar Ang Choter was the only who was with a team of 1973. I had to communicate with the members through an interpreter. We had employed 2 mail runners and 1 cook. The Japanese members were liking Indian dishes for which we were short of ration. We were dependent on Japanese food items.
After Base camp, Advance Base camp, Camp I, II the summit camp was at an altitude if about 18500 ft. An attempt was made to the summits. They returned the summit camp at about 1 am and went to sleep under the tent. They were five members in this tent, Hav Ang Choter and Lieutenant Takachi were in the center rolling stone hit them while they were sleeping. Hav Ang Choter got a head injury, he was spot dead.Lt Takachi was hit at his chest, he survived the next 2 hrs. and 30 mins. The rescue team went to evacuate them by mountaineers but it was late. The bodies were brought down by 15 climbers, sherpas & one shepherd, it took about 48 hours from 18500 fts to 12500 fts.
