The Himalayas, with their imposing majesty and aura of mystery, are a dream for many adventurers and a challenge for a brave few. Chema, a member of the Himalayan Canyons Exploration (ECH) team, gives us a glimpse into his recent expedition and tells us what it was like to open new canyons in such an extreme environment, where anchors are an essential piece of equipment.
The magic of the Himalayas
INDEX: What are expeditions like in such a challenging environment?
Chema: What distinguishes the Himalayas from other places is the range of altitudes. In Spain, our mountains reach 3,000 metres, but in the valley where we were, there were peaks reaching 7,000. From the village where we settled, at 2,000 metres, we had a 3,000-metre drop to work with the ravines.
Despite the imposing snow level – which was between 5,000 and 5,500 metres in October – the cold turned out to be more bearable than expected. ‘We went after the rains, and the weather was similar to autumn in Spain. At night it was cooler, but during the day, if it was sunny, the temperature was pleasant.
Opening trails where there are none
I: What does it mean to open new routes in a place like the Himalayas?
C: It’s a real challenge. There is no rescue equipment and no established routes. We were eight kilometres from China, completely isolated. Besides, the locals don’t understand what we do; for them, the ravines are only for collecting water or getting rid of rubbish.
Each expedition begins long before the first descent. We analyse the mountain with tools like Google Earth, but the real work starts when we arrive. With no roads, we have to blaze trails ourselves, often with the help of local porters and guides. On this occasion, we opened seven ravines in a protected natural park, which also involved permits, fees and complying with strict regulations.
The role of anchors: the key to safety
I: How important were the INDEX anchors on this expedition, and how do you assess the impact of a good anchor on the team’s performance?
C: The anchors are vital, because we hang on to them. Since 2011, the team has relied on INDEX as its anchor supplier, and this expedition was no exception. We chose the stainless MTHs for hard surfaces such as limestone and marble, and the Atlantis-coated THs for softer rocks. Both performed perfectly, even in demanding conditions.
Ease of installation and strength were crucial. Knowing that the anchors are reliable allows us to focus on other challenges, such as water flow or gully conditions. In terms of stress, it’s a huge amount to take your mind off it.
Among the anecdotes that marked the expedition, Chema shares a lesson learned on the fly: ‘In one canyon, we were running out of battery on the drill, and we didn’t drill deep enough. Even so, the screws held up perfectly despite initial buckling. Feeling that reliability was key to moving forward.’
The future of the ECH team
Although a new expedition is not yet confirmed, Chema concludes with a wish: ‘In 2025 we will take a break, but in 2026 we plan to return. We have left many ravines to explore and the Himalayas are still calling us. And, of course, we will trust INDEX again.’
The ECH team is making its mark in the Himalaya with the opening of seven new gullies and work that combines experience, planning and high quality materials. Our anchors, once again, were the foundation on which this team literally stood to continue exploring the unexplored.
