The Himalayas, a dream for any mountaineer and the most cherished mountain system in the world that also is the home to the highest peak on the planet runs from the extreme north of the country and extends all the way up to the eastern most state, Arunachal Pradesh. The biggest adventure playground in the world -the Himalaya provides ample opportunities for the adventure enthusiast from all over the world to try their luck and immortalise their names by climbing some of the toughest and highest peaks. With more than 100 peaks above 6000 mtrs (some of them yet unclimbed) the Himalaya promises every climber their share of adventure, which lures them to the mountains.

Mountaineering is a serious activity undertaken with the primary goal of reaching a mountain's summit. Unlike trekking or hiking it requires a high degree of fitness and experience especially above the permanent snowline (i.e. above 5200 m). Even more than other adventure sporting enthusiasts, mountaineers recognise that they run a high level of risk of personal injury.

The Himalayan mountain range is home to some of the highest mountains of the world and many serious climbers seek to conquer peaks each year.

Starting from Delhi, Lucknow, Calcutta or Bombay, the mountain road heads in Garhwal and Kumaon can be usually reached within two to five days. In view of the height and distance of the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas, many available peaks can be attempted within a period of four to five weeks from Delhi.

Seasons : The mountaineering season tends to be concentrated during April-November. A number of climbs are also being attempted in winter.

Grade : Mountaineering routes are graded according to the degree of difficulty and accessibility. Prior medical examination is essential. The permanent snow line generally being in the region of 5,250 m, the degree of difficulty of mountaineering routes can broadly be defined as :

Moderate : Requiring knowledge of basic mountaineering techniques.

Advanced : For this category of peaks it is necessary to be in high-grade physical condition and to possess advanced mountaineering skills. Within this category further demarcation is possible till the highest degrees of difficulty. The difference between the various grades of difficulty is thus based essentially on the required techniques concerning rock, snow, ice and rescue.

Equipments : Can be hired from clubs or purchased from one of the agencies selling it. Places where equipment is available for hiring: Muni-ki-Reti, UttarKashi, Joshimath Gangotri, Purola, Chopta, Ukhimath Ghuttu.

Peak booking fees, Inner Line restrictions, import of equipment, camera permits, insurance, medical attention and evacuation procedure have been laid down in detail by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation based in Delhi. This is the national apex coordinating body for the sport in India.

Mountaineering Expeditions

All expeditions have to be cleared by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. Expeditions are graded according to level of difficulty and must be accompanied by a liaison officer provided by the government, at the expedition's expense. Applications must be submitted at least six months in advance to the Indian government. The IMF also maintains a list of available peaks, peak booking fees, access restrictions, medical aid, rescue, weather forecasting and other information pertinent to climbing a peak. The IMF office is at the University of Delhi's south campus. It also has a reference library, documentation centre, museum and climbing wall.

Contact :

The Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF)
Benito Juarez Road, Anand Niketan
New Delhi - 110021
Website: www.indmount.com

Training

Mountaineering training in India is provided at several Mountaineering Institutes run under the guidance of the Indian government. Anyone physically fit and willing to bear some physical hardship may join.

Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary's first ascent of Everest on May 29, 1953 was a historic landmark in establishing mountaineering as a sport promoted by the government in India. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) was created in 1954. In 1965 the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi was set up and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering (JIM) at Aru in Jammu and Kashmir in 1983. In 1990 the JIM was shifted from Aru to Batote but continues to face problems associated with violence in the Kashmir valley.

Age limits :

Basic mountaineering - 17 to 35 years
Advanced Mountaineering - 18 to 40 years
Search and Rescue, and Method of Instruction - 18 to 40 years
Adventure Course - some 13 to 17 years others - 21 to 35 years

The Himalayan Club is an organisation that attempts to provide information about, and encourage and assist exploration of the Himalaya. The club publishes an annual journal and newsletter, maintains a comprehensive reference library at the Indian International Centre in New Delhi. Over the last few years, activity at the Himalayan Club has reduced though the occasional film slide show or talk is still held when an expedition has just been completed and its organisers are in the city.