Virtual Expedition scouting? I came across this little number whilst looking for maps for a planned expedition and I was blown away!

Gone are the days of wondering what the valley will be like, where the rapids will be and if there will be a way out of deep canyons, you can 'virtually scout' using a FREE download program from GOOGLE EARTH.

Himachal Pradesh / Northern India / 16th Oct Nov. 2003
Our mission had been on hold for a number of years because of the conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and the normal unstable situation in Kashmir. Then, word came from a friend in Jammu that things were relatively calm, so the job was on! Once the whole team was gathered in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, we hired a jeep, loaded five boats and headed north over the Rotang Pass towards the Chenab Valley. Our aim: to descend the 290 kms of the Chenab River, down to Kistware. (Kistware was the starting point of a raft expedition lead by Ken Warren in 1988.)

Its day 18 of our journey, day 9 on the river, for the last 4 days we have struggled to make more than 10 miles each day. The river is relentless, presenting awesome whitewater in a fantastic landscape of dense jungle and sheer canyon walls. The kayakers have run exciting lines and the raft has been a complete bitch. Don?t ever believe anyone who says there might not be much action on a river averaging 25 ft / mile, we?re all buggered!