A Complete Guide for Basic Mountaineering Course in India

The majority of mountaineers love to trek in the mountains and think of going on an expedition to climb on the Himalayan top. The adventurers even look for a platform where they can indulge themselves in more and more challenging activities. They try reaching out to the higher treks by gradually passing through the lower altitude and easier treks. There are several incidences found where a mountaineer wishes to go up but gets stuck in between and can’t reach any higher scale Himalayan peaks.

Those who are thriving for a journey to enjoy at higher altitudes shall be aware of the various tools and pieces of equipment needed including all those spikes, clips, and rope. Having a good quality of rope and knowing the proper technique of using it is very important for both climbing up the mountains as well coming down the mountain slopes without any hurdle.

Objectives of Basic Mountaineering Course

Men and women who are recently initiated into mountaineering need to gather basic knowledge about this exciting adventurous activity. Below enlisted are a few of the most important objectives and sole aims of the Basic mountaineering course offered in India and other countries.

1. Teaching the basic yet very relevant techniques to climb on rock, moving on ice and snow.
2. Providing both practical as well as theoretical aspects of mountaineering and its allied subjects viz. weather, map reading, medications, navigation, mountain hygiene, and many more.
3. The trainers are effortlessly devoted to inculcating the right and positive attitude towards mountaineering. They want you to take this activity as an art and not only a fun-filled or adventurous activity.
4. Spreading motivation among people to higher endeavors coming from all walks of life.
5. Providing appropriate and reading material and literature on mountaineering.
6. Proper training to the adventurers for acclimatization so that they can find themselves very comfortable and can manage their health at higher altitudes.
7. Telling them about the concept and mission of conversation of Himalayan environment.
8. To train them for having a tough and resistant body to cold, fatigue, and hunger.

Duration of Mountaineering Course in India

The duration of the course varies at every institute and it generally continues for 26 days where you get a proper training ground to learn the techniques and required mountaineering skills program is crafted in such a way that both the beginner and intermediate climbers get equal opportunity to develop fundamental skills in all aspects of rock climbing, glacier climbing as well as movement in snow.

Pre-requirements of Basic Mountaineering Course

We truly believe that to enroll oneself at these institutes one needs to be of at least 18 years of age with good physical strength. The trainers will ask you to complete the running track of 5-8 km on regular basis and this is why age and physical strength play a key role in learning mountaineering skills.

Additionally, you are also advised to be acquainted and experienced with other high-intensity exercises such as crunches and push-ups. You should also have the habit of weight lifting as you will be carrying the bag packs weighing almost 10-12 kilograms while climbing on mountains and that too for at least 6 hours in a day.

Famous Indian Institutes offering this course

There is an endless number of institutes established in the country claiming to provide your proper training and skills of mountaineering but we would advise you to be wise and vigilant while selecting the one for you. Below mentioned is the run-down of a few of the most reliable and popular Indian Institutes offering you the course.

1. Shikhar Mountaineering Institute (Uttarakhand)
2. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarakhand
3. National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Arunachal Pradesh
4. Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering, Sikkim
5. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mountaineering and Allied sports institute, Himachal Pradesh
6. Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, Kashmir

Pieces of Equipment Required for the Course

Mountaineering is not only a challenging task but also physical and mental taxing activity that requires a lot of strength and attentiveness. To keep yourself safe and secure while learning the skills for this difficult activity, you shall have certain gear and clothes. You don’t need to worry about anything as the institute takes this responsibility and provides you with a sleeping bag, water bottle, feather jacket, good pair of snowshoes, hiking shoes, bag pack, and so on.

Besides these gears, you also get the required outfits for high-altitude climbing along with a proper rock climbing kit.

Things to Keep in Mind for Getting Positive Feedback and Scores 

You must be well informed that your instructor will be very vigilant and will keep his eye on you throughout the training period. He will be observing you very keenly and will provide you the scores and feedback on your performance as well as physical and mental fitness. In addition, the trainees only get a chance to enroll themselves in Advance Mountaineering if they attain Grade ‘A’ or else they will have to retake the training.

If in case, you get a Grade ‘B’ then you will be rewarded with the certification of a verified rock climber but you are not eligible to go for an advanced training course.

Hence, if mountain climbing is your dream or passion then we would advise you to first take this training program and then plan to embark on expeditions. You can check out the list of the best Mountaineering Institute in India and select the one near to your location.

The Basic Mountaineering Course

Mountaineering, the amalgamation of wall climbing, rock climbing, skiing, hiking, rappelling, ice craft, and several other adventure activities to scale peak mountaineering. This 26-day long course is believed to be the stepping stone of ice, snow, and rock climbing. One needs to be very attentive while following the schedules for 26 days or else it will hamper your performance and simultaneously the overall score and grade.

For the very first ten days, you will be trained for rock climbing by staying at the mountaineering institute. As stated above, we believe in both theoretical as well as practical training hence, you will be taken to the rock field to learn the techniques of rock climbing. After the completion of the first 10 days of training, you will be moving towards a higher camp elevated at 12000 feet above sea level.

The next two days are for acclimatization so that you can relax your body before you start getting trained for ice and snow craft. After you acclimatize yourself, you will be taken to the snowfield to start the next four days of training and later on, you will be shifted to the ice field to learn the techniques of ice craft.

Once you are done with the snow craft and ice craft training, you will be heading towards the base camp established at a very higher altitude. After the completion of height training, come down and sleep on a single rubber mat. There is no physical exercise session for the next day but it would be a cooking day where you will have to prepare your lunch. Later in the evening, to refresh your mood and witness a different experience you can play certain games like volleyball, tug of war, and your time favorite treasure hunt.

The next morning you will be leaving the higher camp and start moving towards the institute to give proper rest to your body. For the next two days, you will be learning river crossing techniques and after the completion of this training schedule, you will be asked to give a practical exam paper. The question paper consists of several questions related to your learning of the past three weeks.

Now, the time comes when all the trainees will receive their certificates and badges based on their performance and the strength they showed during the training period. This is the time to say goodbye to the institute, trainers, fellow companions, and the other staff.

First Ten Days Rock Climbing Training

The trainers are very strict and so are the rules, so on the very first round of your training, you are asked to get up very early in the morning i.e. maximum by 5.30 am and then stand in a proper queue. The morning session is all about jogging in and around the institute and then some high-intensity physical exercises are also added such as squats, high jumps, bridge, and running.

After the completion of morning PT, binge on the scrumptious morning meal and get ready for the rock climbing training at the rock field. Rock climbing is all about learning the techniques of rappelling, shoulder rappelling, jumaring, etc. You get to know how one can climb up and then rappel down the cliff by following different techniques.

Instructors standing there will tell you in detail that how to use the pieces of equipment and which technique would work better for you. This schedule will continue for 5 long hours and then by 1 pm return to the institute to have your lunch before attending the lecture on mountaineering. This lecture is all about the knowledge of high altitude peaks, the climatic condition, and the identification of avalanche-prone areas.

After a little break of 5 minutes get ready to attend the knots practice training which is then followed by obstacle training where the trainees have to go through several obstacles like a big wall, rubber tire, wooden bars, under the mud. Everyone must clear at least three rounds of this training. Later in the evening, you will be served a mouth-watering dinner which is then followed by a comfy overnight stay.

Snow Craft Training

This training session is about learning the skills of walking on snow, sliding on it, and how to self-arrest yourself. Your instructor will guide you on how to use the gears and clothes needed for snow crafting. After completing the whole day-long training move back to the base camp and then have your food. The same schedule will be followed for the next three days.

Ice Craft Training

Just after the snow craft training, your instructor will start training you for ice crafting. During this training session, you will practice how to use your crampons and an ice ax, and how to climb up the ice wall, how to rescue yourself from a crevasse, and how to self-arrest. You will be following the same schedule for the next three days.

Height Gaining and Survival Night

After the completion of ice craft training, a more complicated session is waiting for you i.e. height gain training. Everyone needs to cover the height from 11,000 feet to 16,000 feet in six hours which is a very tiring experience. You might face few health issues by gaining such height in such a short time. Reaching on the top of the mountain feels like you are on cloud nine in this world and huge Himalayan Mountains covered with snow. Trek back to the base camp and have snacks then go for a comfy overnight stay.

You are neither allowed to move inside the tent nor to use a sleeping bag. The temperature drops down to -5 degrees Celsius and it becomes very difficult to survive in such a bone-tearing climate. Early morning at 6 am, the instructors arrive and make an announcement that the trainees can use their respective tents to sleep for 1 hour. After a few hours getting ready to practice for bushcraft training for two long hours and then you are all free to roam around the city and campsite.

Adam Day

There is no specific schedule for the day and you are free to enjoy shopping out your heart’s contents in the Uttarkashi market or sleep in the institute for the entire day.

River Crossing Training

Today you will be visiting the riversides to see the rapids of the river and will learn varied techniques to cross it without difficulty. Initially, it becomes very challenging for a trainee to cross a river with such a high water flow. But, there is no other option you will have to cross the river, and then only you can go back to the institute to take a rest and think about the next challenge that instructors would instruct.

Climbing Test

After you are done with rock field training, river crossing, and ice craft training you will learn the techniques of climbing on the mountains. Each and every learner needs to climb a boulder with proper technique and if you don’t complete this climbing test well then it is going to affect your grades.

Written Examination

This is the final day of your basic mountaineering course where you will have to appear for a written examination. The questions asked in the exam would be based on your training experience only i.e. you will have to write down whatever you have learned practically on the field.

Closing Ceremony

One of the best moments of your 26 days long training period, the closing ceremony is a platform where everyone is rewarded with certificates and mountaineering badges. Those who are excited to dance, sing or play any sort of skit are free to do so after the closing ceremony gets over. If you are thinking to stay one more night with your fellow trainees and want to recollect the memories you lived then you are allowed to stay overnight at the institute.

You can also read:- Top 10 Mountain to Climb in the world