Mountaineering
The best mountaineering institutes in India
Learn the craft and skill of mountaineering by enrolling for a course in one of these schools.
Surrounded by the Himalayan belt on the northern side, there are immense climbing and mountaineering opportunities in India. The main Indian Himalayan ranges are Dhaula Dhar Range, East Karakoram Range, Zanskar Range, Ladakh Range and Pir Panjal Range; it consists of some of the highest mountains in the world.
All the expeditions, high altitude treks, climbing, etc in the region are governed by an apex body headquartered in New Delhi called Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). All the mountaineering institutes in India are affiliated to IMF. Anyone can enroll in any of the courses (see eligibility first) provided by these institutes to equip themselves with proper and responsible mountaineering ethics and knowledge. Seats are always served on first-cum-first-serve basis, so be quick in your application. Here are some mountaineering schools to consider:
1. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
Set up in 1965, it is rated as the most prominent mountaineering institute in Asia. It provides various courses like adventure course, Basic Mountaineering Course, Advance Mountaineering Course, Search and Rescue Course (the only institute in India providing this course), Methods of Instruction Course, etc.
They started skiing course in 2014 based on snow conditions. Tekhla rock climbing training area is regarded as one of the best in India. One has to apply a year in advance for next year’s course as the seats get full very early. You can know more about them here.
Base camp during field training at Nehru Institute
© Yogesh Kumar
2. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, West Bengal
This institute was set up in 1954 and is located at a very picturesque location offering the morning view of Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,512m) where the first sunrays fall on its peak, giving it a golden tinge. The training takes students to west Sikkim through Kanchenjunga National Park, another added bonus. It is known for its hard treks and heavy rucksack loads.
It provides adventure courses, Basic Mountaineering Course, Advance Mountaineering Course, Methods of Instruction Course and Special Courses like sports climbing, rock climbing, etc. You can know more about them here.
Glacier training in Sikkim during a course at Hima
© Yogesh Kumar
3. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, Himachal Pradesh
It is the largest adventure sports training centre in India today. Set up in 1961, it offers adventure courses across the state. One can undertake a Basic Mountaineering Course, Adventure Course, Snow Skiing, Water Course, etc. You can know more about them here.
4. Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
This institute was set up in 1983 at Aru, Jammu and Kashmir. Headquartered in Pahalgam, its various sub-centers are at Nalthi Bhaderwah, Sanasar-Patnitop-Kud, Shey (Leh) and Gulmarg. It provides Basic and Advance Mountaineering Course, Method of Instruction, Basic Skiing Courses, Intermediate Skiing Courses, Advance Skiing Courses, Basic Paragliding, etc. To know more, click here.
5. National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh
Established in 2013, it is the first national institute authorised to conduct land, aero and aqua courses. The team of instructors are trained from High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), Siachen. Its first Basic Mountaineering Course was conducted from Aug 26 – Sept 30, 2013. Its website will come up soon. To know more, write to them at nimasdirang2013@gmail.com
6. Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
7. Pandit Nain Singh Surveyor Mountaineering Training Institute, Munsiyari, Uttarkhand
It is a newly established mountaineering institute situated at an altitude of 2,200m in Munsiyari that is located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. PNSMTI is the second premier mountaineering institute of Uttarakhand after Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi. The institute is named after the great surveyor Pandit Nain Singh Rawat who played a major role in the Great Trigonometrical Survey (GTS) in mid-nineteenth century. The institute has already started inviting applications for adventure courses, skiing courses and will soon start mountaineering courses as well. Read more about the institute here.
8. Sonam Gyatso Mountaineering Institute, Gangtok, Sikkim
Set up in 1963, SGMI is headquartered in Gangtok, Sikkim. A new complex was inaugurated in December 2009. SGMI trains participants from Armed Forces only.
9. High Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
It is training and research establishment of Indian Army set up in 1948. Only Armed Forces personnel can participate in the courses at this institute.
This article is courtesy of The Outdoor Journal.
