Mountaineering courses?

Does anyone have any experience doing the 26-28 day basic mountaineering course in India?

1. Nehru Mountaineering Institute in Uttarkashi
2. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling
3. Western Himalayan Institute in Manali

How do they compare with one another? which is one is most reliable?

And pls, if anyone knows the phone / fax number if HMI Darjeeling. the one in their website does not connect.

Thank you very much

HMI Darjeeling

Tel: 0091-354 - 2254083 / 2254087
Fax: 0091 - 354 - 2253760

Some info on NMI Uttarkashi.. in this link

Hi,

I'm from Singapore. I'm interested in taking a Basic Mountaineering Course conducted by The Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (DMAS) in Manali.
Has anyone been through this course by DMAS before? What is the difference between the course structure offer by DMAS from the other 2 institutes (HMI and NIM).

Cheers
Kah Kuan

it is nice to hear so many people r interested in doing the course.......u can do the course from DMAS but i think HMI and NIM are better for doing the courses......quit a few of the instructors of DMAS are my friends but i think the instructors of the other two institute r more experienced and better and moreove the equipment given by DMAS r not good.......so i will suggest to do the course from HMI or NIM rather than DMAS.....if u still want to do the course let me know if u need any help....

Hi Cliffhanger,

Thank you for your reply.
I'm still interested in doing the course, but my available period is only from May 06 to August 06. From my research on the net, DMAS is the only institute offering BMC(Men) during this period. I wonder if you have the exact course calender of HMI and NMI?
If I do my Basic course in DMAS and I do my Advance course in other institutes?

Thank you!

Cheers
Kah Kuan

no i dont have the exact course calander of HMI and NIM .....as far as i know HMI dont have any men's course at that time and i dont know about NIM.....the other institute r better but if u dont have any opsion u can always go to DMAS it is also good....and i dont think u can do the advance too, because ur available time is mostly in the rainy season so during that time generally there is no courses......

I have done MOI ( Method of instructions from DMAS in 2000) and I can tell you that there is lot of diference.
In DMAS they are not as hard on you as else where. They do not abuse or push too much-specially after 2000. DMAS has become private and no more under state funding-so they do not deliver what they used to be.....it is fun to be doing BASIC there.

But if you wish to be A GOOD CLIMBER-choose NIM-UTTARKASHI.

I have received feedback abt DMAS being a leisurely picnic kind of adventure course.. No pushing.. no military rules and laws..
Even the duration of adventure course is less than the NIM ..

You are right about that JYOTI-still they find 80 to 120 pax for basic course !!

Hi,

Thank you for the feed back.
I've attached the training programme for the Basic course given by DMAS.
How different is it compare to NIM and HMI?
If I take the Basic Course in DMAS can I go for the Advance course at NIM or HMI?
Thank you!

Cheers,
Kah Kuan

TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE

D1 Admn. Briefing, Rope distribution, Registration, Medical check up, Issue of Equipment,, Opening Address, Lec. on Rope, Knot Practice.
D2 Rock Climbing (L/D/P), Lec. on Mountain Hazards & Rucksack Packing , Knot Practice, Film Show& Obstacles.
D3 Rock Climbing, Lec. on Mountain Walking & do’s & don’ts in The Himalaya, Obstacles.
D4 Rock Climbing, Lec. on Avalanche, Games, Film Show.
D5 Rock Climbing in Shuru, Lec. on Map Reading, Lec. on Himalayas, Library, Games, Films.
D6 Rappelling(L/D/P), Lec. on First Aid, Mountain Sickness & Cold Injuries, Group Discussions..
D7 Admn. Day
D8 Jumaring, Lec. on Weather, Games & Obstacles.
D9 River Crossing, Library after Lunch.
D10 Rock Climbing Test, ,Lec. on Glacier, Lec on Mountain Terms, Games & Obstacles.
D11 Trek to Solang.
D12 Acclimatisation Trek towards Patalsu & back.
D13 Move to & establishment of Base Camp, Lec. on Camp Hygiene.
D14 Acclimatisation & Familiarisation with surroundings, Lec on Ice Axe, Group Discussions.
D15 Move to training area, Snow Craft, Walking on Snow, Step Kicking, Ascending & Descending, use of Ice Axe, Shoes & Gaiters, Fitting & Lec. on Crampons.
D16 Snow Craft, Glissading, Self Arrest & Lec. on Mountain Terms.
D17 Sequence Climbing, Anchor & Belay on Snow, Group Discussions.
D18 Ice Craft, Cramponing, Ascending & Descending.
D19 Ice Craft, Cramponing, Front Pointing, Fix Rope Demo & rappelling.
D20 Anchor & Belay on Ice, Crevasse Rescue, Glacier Travel & Casualty Evacuation.
D21 Height Gaining.
D22 Revision/ Test of Snow & Ice Craft, Bush Craft in the evening.
D23 Trek to Solang, Lec. on Survival.
D24 Maintenance of equipment & Admn. Day.
D25 Trek to Manali, Deposit of Equipment & Interview.
D26 Written Test, Closing ceremony & Departure.

If you are non serious mountaineer and just want to enjoy the course leisurely and simulataneously learn something abt mountaineering techniques at a low cost, then u can go for it..

what is the charge (in INR) for BASIC course there????
can one do advance from HMI or NIM after successfully completing Basic from there???

I agree with you......recently i have done the alpine camp from there and i think that the institute lacks in decepline and everything is little loose too....moreover the equipments are not good they are outdated or are worned out.....so if u want to do the course seriously i will say better go to NIM or HMI and try to avoid DMAS.....

hi babu......the charge of basic course in DMAS is Rs3800 and it is a 26 day course......and yes u can do advamce from other institutes..... but if u r thinking seriously about doing the course try to go to HMI or NIM......