Veteran Magan Bissa  from Bikaner in Rajasthan is a name to reckon with in the field of mountaineering and adventure sports.

Bissa has attended the IMF Advanced Climbing Camp held at Goumukh and has mastered the  basics of snow-skiing and water skiing at IIS & M Gulmarg in 1983 and sky-diving in 1982, from the Indian Sky Diving Federation Agra.

He was appointed the liaison officer with Spanish and Japanese expedition to Mt Bathartoli, Meru Mt. Chaturangi in 1979-80.

Was a member of Japanese rescue-cum-search team to Mt. Nandakhat in 1981. He was instrumental in coordinating and conducting the adventure sports festival in Rajasthan. His wife Dr Sushma is also a well-known mountaineer.

Presently, Bissa is the president of Rajasthan Adventure Foundation and director of National Adventure Foundation (for Rajasthan and Gujarat Chapter).The IMF gold medallist and keen adventurer  speaks about his special endeavours.

What has been your most memorable adventure till date?

In adventure every moment is adventurous! Actually, I had tried to scale the Everest three times.

The first time in 1984 (had to sacrifice his oxygen to a critical member, just 300 metres away from the Everest), the second time in 1985 along with army group and for the third time in 1992.

In the second expedition in 1985, I had a near fatal fall at the height of 28,000 feet due to a strong snow blizzard and came down 700 feet.

I met with a road accident in 1990 and received multiple fractures and injuries and had no hope of a comeback, but with sheer will power could climb the famous Nanda Devi in 1991 during the Indo-Russian expedition as the only Indian and after reaching the peak was just ecstatic and jubiliant as if I had overcome all my sorrows and pain of the accident.

I can never forget that moment. The Saser-Kangri (25,170 feet) expedition was also highly exciting .

For the layman how should one gear up for basic adventure sports like parasailing and ballooning?

I think basically one should be mentally tuff and be well-repared. The physical preparedness comes automatically. If you are physically fit and have good reflexes it is always an advantage.

But the negligent amount of risk is what adventure sports is all about. One should not panic and keep oneself steady. Similarly for balooning, where you have to remain stable and alert always.

Your message for the daring?

Life is either daring adventure or nothing. So enjoy it.