Nehru Institute of Mountaineering - Uttarkashi

drsoptics · Feb 19th, 2007, 02:07

Hello all,

I am brand-new to India Mike and I am looking forward to getting some advice. I have registered for the Basic Mountaineering course offered by NIM-Uttarkashi from 13 Sep to 10 Oct 2007. Has anyone taken courses there?

I checked out their website and looked at some pictures, but I am trying to get the 'vibe' of the institute. Who actually takes the courses? What is the average age of the trainees? Are they foreigners as well as Indians? Do they all want to be there, what is the camaraderie like?

About me: I am a 29-year old from the USA, I have done some trekking before, but nothing this intense. This is my first trip to India, and I am really looking forward to spending some time in the Himalayas, so I thought a mountaineering course would be better/easier than trying to organize everything by myself.

thanks for the help!

beklemmung · Feb 19th, 2007, 06:51

I'm taking the basic course that starts next month. I'm coming from a similar angle - first trip to India, and though I have a good amount of backpacking/trekking experience in the American West and the Alps, I have no climbing experience at all. I'll definitely be posting about my experience there, or if you want you can send me a PM sometime in April and I'll let you know what I think of it.

praks · Feb 19th, 2007, 10:25

Did the course a long time ago when things were a little different, but not much. A good number of trainees will be from the armed forces and not all of them want to be there. They have to take the course as part of their services training. Most of the trainees will be in their twenties. Not too many foreigners as there is a big demand for the course from the armed forces as well as Indian civilians. You will be divided into groups called 'ropes' each with a rope leader. Each rope has an instructor. So you will spend most of the time with your 'rope'.
You get all sorts there from those who want to be there to those who have been sent there. But it's a great experience and if you are fit, you will enjoy it thoroughly. If not, then it's going to be tough.

VSK Sharma · Feb 22nd, 2007, 22:08

I agree with the type of people doing the course but people from Armed Forces are not coming in such large numbers.
Anyway the course is worth doing and it will open the Himalaya for you for the time to come. It must be quite cheap.

drsoptics · Feb 23rd, 2007, 04:44

Thanks for the comments! The course runs US $510 for one month, which I think is pretty reasonable.

I'm pretty suprised, a combination of armed forces members, indian civilians, and foreigners in the same training is not something that would every happen in my country (USA), but I am open for the experience. A couple for questions...

Since one man's 'fit' is another man's 'out of shape', exactly how fit do you need to be to do the basic mountaineering course? Please be specific, I am already in pretty good shape, but if I was going to do some additional training in the one month preceding the course, what should I do?

Also, is there anything in addition to the things on their list (http://www.nimindia.org/nim/admissio...onalitems.aspx) that I should bring? I am not going to be able to bring everything from the USA, but I will at least have my trekking boots, I am hoping I can buy the rest in Dehradun or uttarkashi.

Trishul · Feb 23rd, 2007, 10:20

Hi,
this is the nice idea for do Basic mountianeering course for n.i.m.uttarkashi.Actually this the best institute of india or world for mounatineering like nlos.lots of forgineers are coming there for cousre.
I have laso done bisic,advance & search & Rescue from there

VSK Sharma · Feb 23rd, 2007, 15:48

Hi,
The cost is not much if you compare with the courses outside India. Well, the course involves physical fitness, rock climbing and then going to glacier training area for snow and Ice climbing training and also height gain where you climb a peak. There will also be theory classes. All in all it makes you ready for the mountains.
I went through the list of items. Get a pair of trail running shoes for normal excercise and moving around the campus of NIM during your stay there. At Uttarkashi you will get everything of day to day use. Digi camera is better. Must carry a small bag where you can lock you valuables.
From Delhi catch the Shatabdi Express going to Dehradun and get down at Haridwar. From there take a Bus to Rishikesh and go to the Shared Taxi stand near Natraj Hotel. Six hours and you are at Uttarkashi.
Best go to Dehradun and see the place that day. next morning take the Vishwanath travels Bus to Uttarkashi and reach by afternoon.

Feb 19th, 2007, 02:07	#1
drsoptics Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ, USA Posts: 13	Nehru Institute of Mountaineering - Uttarkashi Hello all, I am brand-new to India Mike and I am looking forward to getting some advice. I have registered for the Basic Mountaineering course offered by NIM-Uttarkashi from 13 Sep to 10 Oct 2007. Has anyone taken courses there? I checked out their website and looked at some pictures, but I am trying to get the 'vibe' of the institute. Who actually takes the courses? What is the average age of the trainees? Are they foreigners as well as Indians? Do they all want to be there, what is the camaraderie like? About me: I am a 29-year old from the USA, I have done some trekking before, but nothing this intense. This is my first trip to India, and I am really looking forward to spending some time in the Himalayas, so I thought a mountaineering course would be better/easier than trying to organize everything by myself. thanks for the help!

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Feb 19th, 2007, 06:51	#2
beklemmung nub Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 85	I'm taking the basic course that starts next month. I'm coming from a similar angle - first trip to India, and though I have a good amount of backpacking/trekking experience in the American West and the Alps, I have no climbing experience at all. I'll definitely be posting about my experience there, or if you want you can send me a PM sometime in April and I'll let you know what I think of it.

Feb 19th, 2007, 10:25	#3
praks Senile Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 287	Did the course a long time ago when things were a little different, but not much. A good number of trainees will be from the armed forces and not all of them want to be there. They have to take the course as part of their services training. Most of the trainees will be in their twenties. Not too many foreigners as there is a big demand for the course from the armed forces as well as Indian civilians. You will be divided into groups called 'ropes' each with a rope leader. Each rope has an instructor. So you will spend most of the time with your 'rope'. You get all sorts there from those who want to be there to those who have been sent there. But it's a great experience and if you are fit, you will enjoy it thoroughly. If not, then it's going to be tough.

Feb 22nd, 2007, 22:08	#4
VSK Sharma Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune,India Posts: 369	I agree with the type of people doing the course but people from Armed Forces are not coming in such large numbers. Anyway the course is worth doing and it will open the Himalaya for you for the time to come. It must be quite cheap.

Feb 23rd, 2007, 04:44	#5
drsoptics Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ, USA Posts: 13	Thanks for the comments! The course runs US $510 for one month, which I think is pretty reasonable. I'm pretty suprised, a combination of armed forces members, indian civilians, and foreigners in the same training is not something that would every happen in my country (USA), but I am open for the experience. A couple for questions... Since one man's 'fit' is another man's 'out of shape', exactly how fit do you need to be to do the basic mountaineering course? Please be specific, I am already in pretty good shape, but if I was going to do some additional training in the one month preceding the course, what should I do? Also, is there anything in addition to the things on their list (http://www.nimindia.org/nim/admissio...onalitems.aspx) that I should bring? I am not going to be able to bring everything from the USA, but I will at least have my trekking boots, I am hoping I can buy the rest in Dehradun or uttarkashi.

Feb 23rd, 2007, 10:20	#6
Trishul Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Himalayas Posts: 53	Hi, this is the nice idea for do Basic mountianeering course for n.i.m.uttarkashi.Actually this the best institute of india or world for mounatineering like nlos.lots of forgineers are coming there for cousre. I have laso done bisic,advance & search & Rescue from there

Feb 23rd, 2007, 15:48	#7
VSK Sharma Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune,India Posts: 369	Hi, The cost is not much if you compare with the courses outside India. Well, the course involves physical fitness, rock climbing and then going to glacier training area for snow and Ice climbing training and also height gain where you climb a peak. There will also be theory classes. All in all it makes you ready for the mountains. I went through the list of items. Get a pair of trail running shoes for normal excercise and moving around the campus of NIM during your stay there. At Uttarkashi you will get everything of day to day use. Digi camera is better. Must carry a small bag where you can lock you valuables. From Delhi catch the Shatabdi Express going to Dehradun and get down at Haridwar. From there take a Bus to Rishikesh and go to the Shared Taxi stand near Natraj Hotel. Six hours and you are at Uttarkashi. Best go to Dehradun and see the place that day. next morning take the Vishwanath travels Bus to Uttarkashi and reach by afternoon.

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