HISTORY OF GIRIVIHAR

Some professors & students of Bombay University began the Inter Collegiate Hikers Club in 1954 to promote hiking & trekking to the hills & forts of the Sahyadris among the students & teachers of the Bombay University. This club was transformed into GIRIVIHAR in 1964, in order to broaden the membership base beyond the people of Bombay University only. Since then GIRIVIHAR has grown from strength to strength. It has continued to successfully organize its primary activity of hiking & trekking in the Sahyadri ranges consistently for the last 40 years. Through this basic activity has sprung the more advanced pursuits of Rock-Climbing, High Altitude trekking in the Himalay and mountaineering expeditions to Himalayan peaks. New hikers continue to join the ranks of GIRIVIHAR, while more experienced climbers attempt peaks in Himalayas. Since 1966, 29 Rock-Climbing camps, 12 Adventure Camps, 33 expeditions, 13 high altitude treks and numerous Pinnacle climbs have been organized, climaxing in an attempt in 1988 on Mt. Kangchenjunga (28,208 ft. – 8586 m.), the third highest mountain in the world. During this expedition, though the summit was not reached, 2 climbers were able to go beyond 8000 m and a vast experience was gained during this expedition. Exactly 10 years later this valuable experience helped achieve a very big success. Surendra Chavan & Lavraj Dharmashaktu reached the summit of  Everest on 18th May 1998 on behalf of a small civilian expedition celebrating Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence. As a fall-out effort from Kangchenjunga Expedition of 1988, a separate trust was created named K M Foundation for letting all the fraternity utilize the asset in the form of very high quality mountaineering equipment store.

WHAT IS ADVENTURE?

To venture beyond the easily accessible, to inquire beyond the already known, to unravel the hidden principles & beauties usually remote to an ordinary man characterizes the spirit of adventure. It’s a way of life in its essential values without formalities, reproposing a direct rapport between man and nature. The rewards of an adventurer are aplenty. Scenic beauty, atmospheric conditions – both wild and serene, physical & mental tasks bringing forth all his reserves, all combine to create a feeling of exuberance. The intensity of life he experiences on an adventure draws him back again & again and so adventure to him becomes a way of life.

Amongst the various skills to be acquired for Adventure, a Rock-Climbing technique is one.  Once learnt it can be pursued as a sport by itself or as a part of larger activity like trekking and mountaineering.

In enriching & molding the personality of a person through any activity, one encounters few other parallels as comprehensive as adventure of this type.