Nehru Institute of Mountaineering

AvidTrekker

Whither sarcasm? Two barsaatis are genuinely required when its raining/drizzling and you want to sit down.... else you will be sitting down on soggy/wet ground. Pindari is crowded generally... which is why you have so many temporary dhaabaas comoing up in season for the trekkers. Its not a place to discover some isolated terrain which is so important to any trekker... anyway.... you can't make everyone happy... sorry i commented

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rahul550

See Nidhi you can improvise. Instead of taking two barsaatis here is what you can do:

This is what I have done and it really works, without hindering your movement.
Take a big size good quality (slightly thick) polythene bag (Size: 2.5 feet wide and approx. 4.5 to 5 feet long depending upon your height). Then place it on the ground. mark an arc towards the right hand side of the sealed end of bag. The arc size should be slightly smaller than your head size. Now, cut it with a pair of seizers. Put it on with your head sticking out through this hole. (you may need to increase the size of arc for proper fit). Now, if it goes with slight effort , half work is done. OK.

Now, the thing to remember here is that the edge of the poly bag should be in your front. Ok. The rest of the untouched sealed edge shall be behind your head. Ok. Now, ask a friend of you to mark a small circle starting from one of your shoulders. This circle needs to be cut out through the poly bag in such a way that there is a hole through and through that is for each of your hands. And since both our hands are on the same level (mine are …lol) you can cut this hole in one go. Now, put this improvised rain gear again with your head through the top hole and both your hands sticking out through each side holes. (You can increase the size of the arm holes so as to accommodate your swatter/ Jacket). Now, you can reinforce the upper head hole with cello tape if you like for greater durability. As far as head is concerned you should use a plastic wide brim hat so that water does not enter inside through the neck area. When the rain is heavy you can sit down at a spot with your rucksack inside this rain gear apart from your head and hands inside the poly bag. Try out this system in your home shower for practice.... lol.

If you have any problems do ask questions. I can also send you a sketch as attachment, if required. I have used this for two of my Himalayan treks and this works really great without hindering movement.

Waiting for your feed back.

ADVENTUROUS26

HELLO NIDHI,

even i would love to take this 1 month course, but is it safe for gals to be alone NIM??. n my fears are genuine as i think its better to go in a group of atleast 2 or 3 ppl but i am not fInding any company.

jyotipg

NIM Conducts separate courses only for gals.. So, dont worry..You wont be not the only gal in the country going for this course..

JP

AvidTrekker

....... has got a waiting list nowadays!!! It is the best run mountaineering instt in India and attracts a few foreigners as well because it is inexpensive. Banish your fears of "no girls on the course???" You might not get admission in the first year itself! [this is not the rule... but happenns once every three years or so]

cliffhanger

Hi Nidhi , i have gone in that region twice an as far as i know it wont be a nice experiance in end of june. it will definitely rain in that time, and you will not enjoy the trek , it will be cloudy and you will not be able to see those magnificient peaks. it will be wiser to go in the end of august or erly september.

rahul550

Hi Nidhi,

I totally agree with Cliffhanger that's why I requested you to reconsider your plan. I think that you are not a hardcore trekker/ mountaineer who enjoy Mother Nature in all its fury, at least at the moment. So it will be wise to get the feel of it when the weather is ideal, conditions are perfect, and so is your fitness. Believe me when I say that even seasoned mountaineers get sapped by bad weather in the Mighty Himalayas. When the things start pitching they may get quite worse. You are new in the field, better start in fair weather and I am sure in due coarse of time, with enough time and experience you will be able to enjoy the Himalayas in all its glory.

It is suggested that you start off around fourth week of August or early September. This is the time when the temperatures are Ok (nights not too cold, however days may get hot along with occasional showers towards second half of the day) but in totality high chances of fair weather.

Rest is up to you,

Have a safe and enjoyble climbing,

Rahul

cliffhanger

[quote=HIMADVENTURES ] am a Indian and a teacher son-I respect my teacher but I do not like to be abused and treated like a army recruit. Sorry to say-HMI Darjeeling has reputation of this. This does not mean that I hold it below par-rather HMI is most tough institute to cope with and thier training is also rated as No: 1 unless NIM comes up with some fantstic growth in few years.

I dont agree with you, I have done my basic and advance from HMI and i dont think they abuse trainees or treat them as army recruit. as far as rules are concerned it should be strict as it is a very dangerous game and any thing could happen to u. it is true it is toughest of all , but i will still recomend NIM because it is technically more superior.

These places are not tourist spot so before going there make sure that u can cope up with the pressure and condition of the course, and u should be physically very sound. these places ar very safe for all ,even mix courses are safe for ladies.

rahul550

Agreed 100%. I have first hand experience with NIM and can recommend that it has superior technical know how, the instructors are more experienced. Many of them have summited Everest very recently. Moreover, the Principal of the Institute
Col. Ashok Abby has indeapth knowledge of the subject and is an Extremely able Leader. Under his able leadership the institute also holds the world record for Most members of climbing team on summit - Total 136 members summited Everest (Joint Indian Army and Royal Nepal Army Everest Expedition - 2003).

Rahul

cliffhanger

Sorry i beg to differ, but in term of experience NIM even does not come closer to HMI. HMI have some of the legends of mountaineering amongst its authority. Gombu, kunga Bhutia, kusang Sherpa, Ang Shering....................... ........... the list is huge and never ending. and see the feets they have achieved .I could even repeat the courses to meet them.

himadventures

No problem with being disgreement RAHUL ! but this is my personal opinion.
I know NIM and knows very well that they had produced very good crop of climbers from that institute.
Moroever-may be with passage of time,things would have changed...I am talking about more than 10 years !!

JIMCORBET

Hi

Am going or basic mount cource in May in uttarkashi at (NIM) , anyone going from delhi ,gurgaon or anyone india-mikean's going .We can join here .

anyone whos done it , can tel me what are the MUST to take along ?

Great help

Naina

rahul550

Hi Naina,

Glad to know that you are going to NIM for BMC. I am sure you are doing some good workout beforehand to keep the fitness and endurance in the mountain course. You will be able to enjoy the stay in the mountains more if you do this.

Here is the list of things that you must take along with you:

1. Good quality leather trekking shoes with rubber soles.
(I had Woodland high ankle shoes, leather ones) these did perform really well and lasted for 6 Himalayan treks. But be sure to break in the shoes at least for a month before by wearing it everywhere you go. This will avoid feet blistering on the mountain/ course).

2. Good quality thermal inner wear (Lux thermal wear or Rupa will also do fine but avoid the sinthetic ones as they are not comfortable for use over longer periods) they are warmer but cause etching after sweating.

3. Good quality rain gear (For God's sake don't take Duckback as one of my friends did on his first trip .... lol, they are really bulky stuff, too much weight....lol). You can improvise the rain gear as I have done. You can find the details on this thread. If any doubt you can check back with me. You are likely to get pre monsoon showers in the area.

4. A double layer monkey cap.

5. Four pairs of good quality woolen hand gloves. Rest assured ...you will have to kiss them good bye after return ...... they get torn on glacier training.

5. A full sleeve sweater or fleese.

6. Two pairs of good quality nylon and two pairs of good quality woolen socks. Woolen ones you can buy from NIM. They are cheap and best. (Rs. 60/- or so.)

7. Two/ Three pairs of cotton clothing for normal use. May would be hot during the day at Uttarkashi.

8. A Sun cap will also be needed.

9. A good sun goggle will be required for Glacier training. Preferably, with side covers for complete protection from UV. (Take black or Dark shades but not BLUE colour as it tends to intensify UV to higher levels causing snow blindness).

10. You may want to take A large dark colour scarf to safegard your face from getting dark complexion due to sun burn or if you are too fair. A good quality sun screen will also be needed for face and hands (SPF 40 or higher, I used SPF 80 but still looked like black faced langoor for more than a month ... lol).

11. A tube of Boroline, a tube of moove or fast relief (for sprains etc.), good supply of band aids (more of cotton ones and some washproof's) in assorted sizes. They will be needed to cover hot spots or blisters in the feet and any minor cuts etc.).

12. A personal diary won't hurt too much to take down some notes and your personal experiences on the mountain. This could be an asset after a few years when you read what you had experienced in this adventure. Really feels nostalgic to read old memories....

Rest all things are provided by the instutute. Do take good care of all the equipment and don't loose any of it. You have to pay for it if you do.
I am sure you will do fine and do take care of your health.

Feel free to contact for anything,

Have a wonderful time,

Rahul

cliffhanger

Hi Naina,
Rahul have given u a good information about what to take......but a few things which i think will be better......avoid nylon socks,and take atleast 4pair of cotton socks . socks are very vital , never wear wet socks and try to avoid socks which are very dirty. change socks after u reach ur camp toomuch sweating can also cause frost bite.....and always kep a spare googles.....torch with spare cells are very important ,but never carry a heavy torch.....u may carry extra set of cotton cloathing for the traning period in uttarkashi but never carry more than two sets in higher camps....

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CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN,
FORD EVERY STREAM,
FOLLOW EVERY RAINBOW
TIL YOU FIND YOUR DREAM

rahul550

Dear Cliffhanger,

I learned the hard way that cotton socks are to be avoided in the mountains perticularly when the aproach march is longer (typically NIM aproach march will be in the order of 10 Kms., the route will be Steeper if the distance is lesser!!!). You see, the technical reason behind this advice is that :
The cotton has a typical property of high absorption also known as wicking effect. So it gets wet very quickly due to sweat and sticks to your foot skin. Now, as you continue to march ahead it makes your skin softer and hotter due to continious rubbing, perticularly near the toe and heel regions. The added heat being generated causes hot spots all around the toe and heel. These look like red spots and generally feel like burning sensation. Theae may continue to hurt even after you wash your feet and the feet become dry. If you continue to wear these socks (cotton ones) they make the matter worse after each day and ultimately you end up with huge blood filled blisters making walking hellish.

I aproached one of the instructors with the problem and he asked me only one question " What are socks you are wearing and how long?" I got my answer!!! The cotton socke are no doubt good in plain walking and are comfortable too but all the trouble could be avoided by doing the following:

1. Wear nylon socks on aproach marches (Fresh ones and properly dried ones).

2. Do the laces of your shoes tightly. So that your foot does not move inside the shoe too much.

3. Take time to open your shoe at the longer period rest stops and reversing the socks and interchanging them. (left socks in right foot and right socks in left foot).

4. After reaching the camp immidiately remove the shoes and wash your feet. Dry them and apply some anti fungal foot powder. A little messaging also helps to improve circulation and healing.

5. Keep at least two pairs of socks and wash the socks used daily so that the one washed today is ready for use tomorrow. You can do this with nylon socks which do not absorb more moisture, are lesss in weight, don't get soggy even when wet and dry very quickly.

Hope, you will agree, experience is the best teacher. I had read about this in my mountineering handbooks but didn't take it seriously.

Nice to share information with you. Hey this is how we can learn more and this is exactly what this forum is all about. Sharing personal experiences and growing ....

Have a wonderful day,

Rahul.