Harish Kapadia began climbing and trekking in the range around Bombay, the Western Ghats. His first visit to the Himalaya was almost 35 years ago. He has never looked back since, still trekking and climbing actively. His main contribution to Himalayan climbing has been to explore unknown areas and, in a number of cases, to open up climbing possibilities. Some of his major ascents have been of Devtoli (6788 m), Bandarpunch West (6102 m), Parilungbi (6166 m), and Lungser Kangri (6666 m). He has led five international joint expeditions, four with the British and one with the French.
Harish Kapadia has made a unique contribution to our knowledge of the Himalaya: as editor of the Himalayan Journal, one of the most authoritative and comprehensive records of exploration activity in the Himalaya; and through his numerous books and as a leader and organiser of countless expeditions over the years. He has written with deep knowledge about his Himalayan journeys in his 12 books and several articles that are erudite and practical, skillfully combining historical, geographical and practical guidance to increase our understanding of the region. His books Exploring the Hidden Himalaya (with Soli Mehta), High Himalaya Unknown Valleys and Meeting the Mountains cover his various trips to the Himalaya, climbing and trekking in different regions. He is the editor of the prestigious Himalayan Journal for the past 20 years.
He was elected Honorary Member of the Alpine Club, London. He was a Vice-President of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (1997-1999) and was awarded the IMF Gold Medal in 1993. He was honoured with the Royal Medal the “Patron’s Medal”, by the Royal Geographical Society ‘for contributions to geographical discovery and mountaineering in the Himalaya’. He was the first Indian to receive this award after 125 years. He was invited to several countries to lecture on his Himalayan exploits and is a member of several organisations.
Harish has a degree in Commerce, Law and Management from Bombay University.