All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

In Leh, the first ever ice climbing festival was celebrated in ______ valley in January 2021.

The correct answer is

Nubra

Leh's First Ice Climbing Festival Location

The question asks about the specific valley in Leh where the first-ever ice climbing festival was celebrated in January 2021. This event was a significant step for winter tourism and adventure sports in the region.

Understanding the Event

Ice climbing is an activity of climbing frozen waterfalls, icefalls, and rock routes covered with ice. It requires specialized equipment like ice axes, crampons, and ropes. Holding an ice climbing festival in Leh highlights the potential of its cold climate and geographical features for such adventure sports.

Identifying the Location

The first ice climbing festival in Leh, celebrated in January 2021, was specifically held in the Nubra valley.

Let's look at the options provided:

  • Nubra Valley: Known for its cold desert landscape, sand dunes, double-humped camels, and monasteries. It also has suitable locations for ice formations during winter.
  • Ripchar Valley: Located in the Zanskar region, south of Leh.
  • Markha Valley: A popular trekking destination south of Leh, part of the Hemis National Park.
  • Dras: Often called the 'Gateway to Ladakh', known for being one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, located in the Kargil district, not typically considered part of Leh valley itself in this context.

Based on reports and official information regarding the event, the festival took place in the Nubra Valley.

Details of the Festival

The festival aimed to promote winter tourism and provide training and opportunities for locals and tourists to learn and participate in ice climbing. The conditions in Nubra Valley during January are ideal for the formation of thick ice walls suitable for climbing.

Therefore, the correct location for the first ever ice climbing festival held in Leh in January 2021 was the Nubra valley.

Event Location (District/Region) Specific Valley Date
First Ice Climbing Festival Leh, Ladakh Nubra Valley January 2021

Conclusion

The celebration of the first ice climbing festival in Leh's Nubra valley in January 2021 marked an important moment for diversifying tourism activities in the region beyond the traditional summer season.

Revision Table: Leh Valleys

Valley Name Key Features Known For
Nubra Valley High altitude cold desert, Shyok River, Siachen area proximity Sand dunes, Double Hump Camels, Diskit Monastery, Sumur, Hunder
Markha Valley Part of Hemis National Park, Markha River Popular trekking route, Kang Yatse peak
Dras Extremely cold climate Second coldest inhabited place on Earth (claimed), War Memorial
Ripchar Valley Located in Zanskar region Trekking routes

Additional Information: Adventure Tourism in Leh

Leh and the wider Ladakh region are rapidly growing as hubs for adventure tourism. The terrain and climate offer opportunities for various activities:

  • Trekking: Numerous trails ranging from easy day hikes to challenging multi-day treks like the Markha Valley trek or the Chadar trek (on frozen Zanskar river, though its feasibility is becoming uncertain due to climate change).
  • Mountaineering: Peaks like Stok Kangri (currently restricted), Kang Yatse, and others attract climbers.
  • River Rafting: Possible on the Indus and Zanskar rivers during the warmer months.
  • Mountain Biking: Challenging routes through high mountain passes.
  • Ice Hockey: A popular sport during the winter in frozen ponds and rinks.
  • Ice Climbing: A newer activity being promoted, utilizing the frozen waterfalls and ice formations. The festival in Nubra Valley is part of this initiative.

Promoting winter sports like ice climbing helps extend the tourist season beyond summer, providing economic benefits to the local communities throughout the year.

Was this answer helpful?

Important Questions from Festivals

  1. In which of the following months is the ‘Valvil Ori Vizha’ festival of Tamil Nadu celebrated?

  2. In which of the following states is the Madhavpur Mela celebrated?

  3. Which of the following festivals is known as Vijaya Utsav?

  4. Which of the following is the most important festival celebrated by the Muslim community in India to mark the beginning of the Islamic New Year?

  5. In which of the following Indian states is Lokrang festival observed?

Need Expert Advice?

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App