Skill Level Needed
As in any adventure sport activity, mountaineering also requires you to possess certain skill sets and knowledge that will help you and your team have a smooth and successful expedition. To qualify for mountaineering expeditions in India, you should have either completed the Advanced Mountaineering Course or the Basic Mountaineering Course or should have considerable experience in high altitude trekking and rock climbing. You should have knowledge of all mountaineering equipment and how to use them along with situational and wilderness awareness. As a member of an expedition team, you should be self-sufficient and be able to act quickly and wisely in situations of emergency or any possible contingency.
Basic Mountaineering Course
The Basic Mountaineering Course lays the foundation for mountaineering in India. It introduces participants to the fundamentals of mountaineering and the necessary skills needed for the same. The course spans over a period of one month where trainees are taught techniques of movement on rock, ice and snow; theoretical and practical knowledge of navigation, map reading, mountain hygiene, weather and medicinal information and knowledge. It also provides trainees access to a vast array of literature on mountaineering, mountain environment and conservation. It is physically and mentally rigorous, gradually toughening up the trainees to have improved resistance to fatigue, hunger and extreme cold.
Advanced Mountaineering Course
To be eligible for the Advanced Mountaineering Course, a participant should have completed their Basic Mountaineering Course with an ‘A’ Grade. This course allows participants to become expedition leaders by equipping them with the skills to plan and execute expeditions, advanced techniques of climbing on rock, snow and ice along with scientific and technical knowledge of mountaineering and its allied subjects.
If you have not completed either of these courses but have significant experience in high altitude trekking and rock climbing, you can still be considered for a mountaineering expedition. For example, at Bikat, if you are applying for an expedition rated 7 on the Bikat Rating Scale, you would need to have participated in multiple high altitude treks rated 6. Similarly an expedition or trek rated 6 can only be attempted if you have participated in multiple treks rated 5.
Overall, mountaineering expeditions demand a high level of physical fitness and mental endurance. Skill and knowledge will only get you so far but what takes you to the summit is skill along with increased endurance and resistance.
Recognised Institutes of mountaineering in India
India has very good systemic and infrastructural support to pursue climbing which only keeps getting better with increased awareness of the sport. There are 5 premier institutions in India that teach mountaineering and certify you as a qualified mountaineer. You can apply to the following to finish your Basic and Advance mountaineering training. Their month-long courses not only help to master all the factors mentioned above but also equip you to develop the right technique and the skills required to climb mountains. The five institutions are:
- Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports, Kashmir and Ladakh (founded in 1983)
- Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling (founded in 1954)
- Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarakashi (founded in 1965)
- Atal Bihari Vajpai Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali (founded in 1961)
- National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Arunachal Pradesh
In case it is difficult for you to take a month out of your schedule but are still interested in learning the basics of mountaineering to familiarise yourself with the equipment and techniques of climbing, Bikat Adventures offers a 8 day course. Check details here.
