In 1992 Green Slime and a team of explorers set the first paddle strokes on the Tsarap Zanskar combo – an expedition in little Tibet. Opening up what has become a world classic.
Slime turned 70, and like the Queen, had one of his parties on the roof of a hotel in Leh over looking the Indus – perfect.
Another thing happened in 92, George Younger was born, a new generation of Himalayan explorer was emerging.
This season Darren Clarkson-King and George Younger set out to do a one day descent of the Tsarap Chu and Zanskar – a generation spanning expedition.
Bio:
Darren Clarkson-King has spent over 16 years exploring rivers across the Himalaya in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Pakistan and Tibet. He has also kayaked in Europe, Canada, Alaska, Thailand and Morocco. He has Countless 1st Descents, and numerous note worthy Solo descents to his name. He is Owner and Head guide of Pure Land Expeditions, working directly with N.A.R.A, the Ladakh Tourism Authority and Local Kerala Government to promote safe adventure sports and safe working practices.
www.purelandexpeditions.com
info@purelandexpeditions.com
The first descent of Tsarap Chu and Zanskar Rivers was completed 1 year earlier by us (1 Austrian, 1 Aussie, and 2 Swiss) in August of 1991, using a Russian cataraft and 2 kayaks. We had scouted the first part down to Phuktal Gompa by foot a month before. Best regards, Roland Braendli, Baar, Switzerland (roland.braendli@montana-zug.ch, braendli.roland@gmail.com)
I was working in Manali hospital when Roland and his friends came by to do the Tsarap, I think I loaned them a boat. Then Slime did the river. Next in ’92 was John Fullbright + Jeff. They flew from US with 16ft cataraft skin; had iron (!) frame made in Delhi and took leisurely time getting down the river. I think next were Allan Ellard and Mikey Abbott in Acrobats; they met an (Austrian?) guy in Leh who said he’d paddled, either Zansakr or Tsarap a couple of decades previously. I did it with Jock Montgomery + Don Weeden in ’96; the village at Sarchu was then inhabited; they helped carry our boats round the long portage of the bad rapid.