The need for mountaineering Institutes in India.
After the Battle of Tiger Hill in 1999, there was an immense need to have more mountaineering training institutes in India. The intention of establishing more training institutes is to generate the opportunity and train Indian soldiers as well as civilians in mountaineering.
All mountaineering institutes in India have the same objective. To encourage the young generation of a nation to mountaineer and to develop proficient mountaineers in this field. Also, institutes are working hard to develop the best mountaineer who will make India proud in the mountaineering area. The institute conducts not only mountaineering courses but also other various adventure sports like Sky Diving, Skiing, Paragliding, Scuba Diving, Mountain Biking, Rafting, Search and Rescue. To apply for such courses there is some age and (physical) fitness guidelines to follow.
What is the difference between mountaineering and trekking?
Trekking is nothing but going to a remote place, walking around, enjoy nature. These include jungle trails, riverside areas, small and large mountains, and forts. Walking is the main purpose of this activity.
Whereas Mountaineering involves hiking in snow peaks, Moraine, sometimes the pebbles terrain, climbing snow-capped peaks, climbing cliffs, finding new routes in mountains and valleys. Also, the activity included rappelling, pinnacles climbing, etc. Mountaineers are using certain sets of types of equipment to drive such activities. It requires undoubtedly physical and intellectual abilities for such attempts.
Why BMC?
Hiking is not so easy in the Sahyadri ranges and the Himalayas terrane. Exploring the new location, the area requires study. Everyone should keep in mind that 'Mountaineering' is a breakthrough in adventure sports. Wandering through valleys could be a risk. Hence, for a safe and smooth journey, we need to understand the importance of study and preparation before any expedition.
Experts in this field advised me, “If you want to sustain in mountaineering or any other adventure field for long and well, you need to acquire certain life survival skill sets and some leadership qualities”. Such a set of skills and qualities only will help us to overcome the numerous obstacles in the mountaineering field.
Yes, this is possible to learn and practice all these skills in the "Basic Mountaineering Course" (BMC). After that, training like Advance Mountaineering Course (AMC), Method of Instructions (MOI), and Search and Rescue can be taken in stages.
BMC for whom?
Trekkers, trek organizers, solo travellers, and photographers all need this course. It is for all those who like to explore nature. This is for everyone passionate about adventure, yes any kind of (land) adventure. The BMC curriculum includes subjects, based on discipline, hard work, team spirit, and physical and mental tests.
Where are these institutes in India?
In India, below are the listed institutes and the regions that offer adventure sports training for civilians.
NIM - Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarakhand https://www.nimindia.net/
NIMAS - National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Arunachal Pradesh http://nimasdirang.com/Home/
HMI - Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling https://hmidarjeeling.com/
ABHIMAS - Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports Allied Sports, Himachal Pradesh. https://www.adventurehimalaya.org/
JIM - Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports, Jammu and Kashmir http://www.jawaharinstitutepahalgam.com/
IHCAE Indian Himalayan Center of Adventure Sports and Eco-Tourism, Sikkim. http://www.ihcaesikkim.org/
IISM - India Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, http://www.iismgulmarg.in/Jammu-Kashmir
SGIM - Sonam Gyatso Mountaineering Institute, Sikkim
If you have noticed, all the above-listed institutes are situated near the Himalayan mountain range and none of them is in Maharashtra.
Therefore, Kindly verify the institute background before enrolling in such adventure courses. It is also important to know about the institute and its training module as well as the terrain of training.
The mentioned institutes share all information with participants.
What is the Admission process for BMC?
These courses are conducted twice a year from April-May and August-September. Each batch has a capacity of a minimum of 40 seats and a maximum of 120 seats. It varies with every institute.
The below-listed documents are required to submit while applying for the course:
Admission Form
Resident certificate
Certificate of Identity Card
Aadhaar card
PAN card
Photos
Invoice/proof of payment of fees
Fitness certificate etc.
Some institutes have an online admission portal and some accept enrollment through email along with the listed documents.
Nowadays, each institute has a waiting period starting from 6 months up to 2 years. After submission of the admission form. Based on the availability institute confirms the training batch.
The instructor of this course is mainly from the Defence services, who have spent so many years in the Himalayas for their duties. They are well versed in the weather condition of this region. During this training, you have an opportunity to spend 1 month in a disciplined environment and to some extent unknowingly get trained yourself the way our Indian Army is trained.
What includes in the Syllabus?
The duration of BMC training is 28 days. The day starts with a 5 km run and then 30-45 min physical exercises. During the first 10 days, we are getting education and demonstration sessions about the mountains, what are mountaineering, and equipment handling techniques.
Also, every day some practice sessions are lined up. The main important key subject is knot practice which gets used with different types of knots along with its use in different scenarios. Not only that but also, rock climbing, surviving adversity kind of subjects getting taught. The sessions covered very very important topics like map reading, weather forecasting, first aid training, and climbing hazards.
After 10-12 days, all the students are taken into the mountains, mostly towards the Himalayas ranges. The actual training starts from here. Here, we are getting trained in the ice and snow. The major focus is ice wall climbing techniques, ice types, safety, survival, high altitude sickness, its recovery, health hazards, etc.
Institute provides all essential equipment, bags, shoes, crampons, jackets, etc. You need to take care of all the equipment starting from day one and carry it everywhere. Yes, up to 60-70 km & get it back too!
The glacier training covers the health issues which occur due to high altitude. You will get aware and well informed about what to do, how to deal with physical ailments, how to avoid uncertainties, and how to complete the climb. No doubt, we will sweat a lot in minus degree temperature also, while performing the practices. So, be prepared for that physically and mentally.
After training completion, you have an ‘EXAM DAY’! Most excited and busy day in the training schedule. You will experience this day is a different day than usual because on this day you need to achieve the objective of the training by using all the technical skills. You need to gain height between 17500-and 19000 feet as early as possible. You will have a feeling of accomplishment when you reach the top.
The next day return journey starts. The journey takes 3-4 days. Yeh! mountaineering is a matter of patience too! There is no immediate release after returning to the institute. You have to go through written exams, oral exams, or some team demonstrations to collect good grades.
Grades are getting issued after reviewing our overall progress, exam scores, and most importantly is behaviour. Students with A grades are only qualified for the next course. Therefore, from the very first day, we should be very clean on behaviour. Behaviour matters!
How to prepare for BMC?
You need to start preparation before three months of BMC. Three months of practice will make you capable of BMC. The practice should include around 14-15 km walk with a weight 15-18 kgs. You can add up-the-hill walk practice at the locations like Sinhagad, Parvati, and Katraj-Sinhagad trek twice a month. At the same time, jogging up to 5 km and a core workout will add value.
Such practice sessions will help you to level up your confidence, perseverance, mental and physical toughness, and sustainability for those challenging days.
What are career opportunities?
The admission is open for the age group 15-45. In one month, everyone builds the network. The individual goals may be different to be part of BMC but the common thing is – All are passionate about adventure. Just think what if the passion will turn into a profession? So, here you can move ahead in life with carrier options like -
Adventure photographer
Professional trekker
Travel guide
Travel Blogger
Mountain Guide
Adventure tour operator
Adventure Travel Writer/blogger
Adventure filmmaker
Rescue Team Member (DMF / NDRF - Disaster Management Force)
Many more ...
This kind, of course, is helping you to build the qualities which are essential to creating a remarkable impression in your selected field.
What's next
Sustain the 28 days of the tough environment is important in the entire process. We are getting introduced ourselves “As a new person” when we are living with unknown people and spending time in a disciplined manner. We can be a different identity.
When we are walking alone, away from home, state, and our people such tough days are a true estimate of our own physical and mental capacity. We are experiencing that thoughts are becoming broader and changing in attitudes. The 28 days are enough to introspect and decide whether we will survive in the mountaineering field for long or not.
Just don’t think about the grade, honestly answer yourself and think about what to do next. Overcome if you found any shortcomings, such as persistence, stamina, or any other major or minor physical ailment. Stand up again with new vigor.
After returning and having the certificate with the grade, you can think of the next course. The opportunities which you have thought of may have a clear vision. When you meet new people in the same field the idea starts taking the shape. The same thought or direction may be a golden opportunity in your life .. I think for that opportunity at least keep moving forward and keep meeting new people, to find something new, to live new ..
For more help
The students who are facing difficulties with Basic / Advanced courses or need more information regarding the course, can contact the Pimpri-Chinchwad Mountaineering Association (PCMA). This institute provides free guidance to participants in mountaineering courses. Under the guidance of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Mountaineering Association (PCMA), about 650-700 students from Maharashtra have done basic and advanced courses in various training centres in India.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Mountaineering Association (PCMA)
pcmaclimbing@gmail.com
7588492020/9096474224
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