Mountaineering
in India
If
you're fired by the spirit of adventure, let the sparks in your heart fly......
in India, a land blessed with lofty snow-clad peaks, crystal glaciers, rolling
meadows, jagged rock faces, verdant valleys, meandering rivers, cascading waterfalls,
dense forests, and hospitable people, blessed with a rich culture - a land perfect
for mountaineering, trekking, and rock climbing.
Seasons:
While the mountaineering season tends to be concentrated around the April-November
period, a number of climbs are also attempted in winter (December-March) which,
though much colder, allows for clearer climbing days.
Categories:
Mountaineering routes are graded, according to the degree of difficulty and
accessibility. Prior medical examination is essential. The permanent snowline,
generally being in the region of 5,200 m, the degree of difficulty of mountaineering
routes, can broadly be defined as :
Moderate:
Requiring knowledge of basic mountaineering techniques, such as those imparted
by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering at Uttarkashi, the Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute at Darjeeling, and the Western Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering
at Manali.
Advanced:
For this category of peaks, it is necessary to be in top physical condition,
and to possess advanced mountaineering skills, either through the advanced courses
of mountaineering institutes, or through expedition experience. Within this
category, further demarcation is possible, till the highest degrees of difficulty.
Locales:
The main mountaineering locales, are in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttar
Pradesh. In Garhwal, the areas, include the Tons-Banderpunch region, the Gangotri
glacier system, the Nanda Devi sanctuary (presently closed), Arwa glacier area,
Kamet
and
Abi Gamin. The roadheads for these at Taluka, Gangotri, Joshimath, and Malari,
can be reached in two or three days from Delhi. In Kumaon, the areas include
the Kalabaland glacier system, the Panch Chulhi, Rajrambha, and Chaudhara peaks,
and the peaks of the Nandakot basin, on the eastern flank of the Nanda Devi
sanctuary.
Equipment:
Equipment can be hired, either from clubs, or purchased from one of the agencies
selling it. Prior to setting out, all equipment must be tested, and team members
must familiarize themselves with its use. Kerosene must be carried, so that
the fragile mountain environment is not further degraded, by cutting any wood.
The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam has a full-fledged mountaineering and trekking
division, based at Muni-ki-Reti, Rishikesh
Permits:
For information about Peak booking fees, Inner Line restrictions, import of
equipment, camera permits, insurance, medical attention, and evacuation procedures,
contact the Indian Mountaineering Foundation based at Delhi. This is the national
apex coordinating body for the sport in India
Important:
All expeditions, whether Indian, foreign, or joint, are required to apply to
the IMF, at least six months prior to departure, so that all the formalities
are completed within the time frame. Leaders of returning expeditions, are required
to submit reports, and adequate proof of the climbs, to the IMF. While Indian
nationals and IMF sponsored joint expeditions, can attempt peaks beyond the
'Inner Line', foreign nationals are as a rule not permitted to do so. Additionally,
all expeditions by foreign nationals, are required to be accompanied by an Indian
liaison officer at their cost.
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