Sikkim to feature in German's book

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, 9 November 2019,  Gangtok: Impressed by the beauty of Yumesamdong in North Sikkim and the opportunity the place offers for rock climbing enthusiasts, German adventurer and author Kai Maluck has decided to feature the Himalayan state in his forthcoming book on rock climbing.

Interacting with reporters here on Friday, Maluck, 44, said he and his team of climbers had a wonderful experience at Yumesamdong recently and he would do his bit to promote Sikkim in his native Germany and Europe in general as a wonderful destination for travel and rock climbing.

"Currently, I am writing a book about rock climbing around the earth. In a way, my 16 favourite places for rock climbing and Sikkim will be one of the chapters (in the book)," he said.

Maluck said his aim was to encourage climbers from Germany and Europe to explore exotic places like Sikkim and at the same time create income opportunities for the local population.

"In the end, I think it is a good combination of creating income for the local people and creating superb and unique travel and rock climbing experiences for the tourists who come here," he said.

Tashi Namgyal Sherpa, the sales and operations manager of Namgyal Treks and Tours, which organised the rock climbing expedition for the German visitors, said Maluch and his friends identified three rock formations in the Yumesamdong area for climbing. "They were basically looking for a place with good view of the Himalayas and big rocks for climbing. Hopefully, the book Maluch is writing will help promote Sikkim in Europe," he said.

Maluch said the there are two aspects of rock climbing; first is the sport itself, and the ROCK CLIMBER'S PLAN One of the cliffs which the German team climbed in Yumesamdong, Sikkim other is the opportunity it provides to enjoy the nature.

"While you are rock climbing (at Yumesamdong) and look to the side, there is the huge glacier peaks in the north face, and this while you are in thin air because you are climbing just above or below 5,000m (about 16,500 feet). This was a special physical experience," he said.

Maluch said apart from featuring Sikkim in his book, he would also adopt other means of promoting the place.

"I am going to make a brochure of the region, describing where the routes are, how to climb them, give some other impressions like the great views that you can have of Kanchenjungha and so on," he said..