Climbing the daring peaks of Indian Himalayas is a most cherished dream of every mountaineer. The sight of unapproachable mountains, the moaning breeze and freezing cold weather spellbind its visitors.

For adventure lovers, mountain climbing is a thrilling sport that can be undertaken by acquiring the basic skills and a right approach. After trying up your mountain climbing skills, you can be passionately in love with this adventure sport.

Central Himalayas of India offers some of the most overawe and rigorous peaks in the world, ranging from Nanda Devi -7800m, Kamet -7750m and Dunagiri -7088m. Mountain climbing is a most challenging devoir, some call it a vertical charm while others showcases it as an eventual way to make an adventurous trial.

Mountaineering Institutes in India
Mountain climbing adventure can be obtained either by trekking for a few years and then gradually taking up to climbing or undergoing a course in mountaineering at one of the climbing institutes. Some of the major institutions

The Nehru Institute of Mountaineering - Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand)
Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) has completed 40 years of existence. Training Mountaineers has always been raisen d'etre of this Institute. Over the years, thousands of Indians and hundreds of Foreigners have passed through the portals of this great Institution.

Although one of the youngest Institute of India, it has today striven forth to become India's 'sheet anchor ' in the field of mountaineering. The demanding and stringent training standards, excellent administration, unflinching loyalty, dedication and competency of the staff, has put NIM not only as the foremost Institution of India, but also one of the finest in the world.

The aim of the Institute is to introduce and initiate young men, women and school children to the mountains and nature through its various Mountaineering and Adventure training courses. Special emphasis is laid on instilling the concept of Adventure sports, without causing environmental degradation.

The Nehru Institute of Mountaineering was established at Uttarkashi on 14 Nov 1965 to honor the great desire of Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, who was an ardent mountain lover. The proposal to have a Mountaineering Institute at Uttarkashi was mooted by the Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India and Govt. of U.P. in 1964.

The legendary Polish climber (late) Wanda Rutkiewicz during her visit to the Institute remarked. "The Mecca of Indian Mountaineering and un-questionably India's pride in the mountaineering world".

The Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (DMAS), Manali is an Indian institution located in Manali, HP providing specialized training in Mountaineering, Mountain Rescue, Skiing, Water Sports, Trekking and Rock Climbing. The Institute was established under the personal initiative of Late Pandit Jwaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India. The Institute's aim was to encourage young generation to go to the mountains and participate in adventure activities and interact with Nature. participation with nature helps the individual to develop will power, stamina, confidence, team spirit and commandership and thus channalises the energy towards Leadership, Character building and National Integration.

Keeping in view the value of adventure sports, the present Institute was established in 1961 at Manali as the Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (WHMI). The institute was later named as the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports and more than 80,000 people have been trained in different adventure activities since its inception. Training is imparted under the guidance of 22 experienced instructors (including four Everesters) who have extensive experience in Skiing and Mountaineering in Himalayas, Alps, (France) and Norway.

The institute has been organising National Winter Games Championships, Summer Skiing competitions, White water Rafting and Kayaking competitions, Water Regatta, Mountaineering expeditions, Mountain rescue etc. regularly. DMAS has produced a good number of mountaineers and skiers of National and International eminence. The institute has played a major role towards the promotion and development of adventure tourism.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) - Darjeeling
Tenzing Norgay's ascent of Everest (8848 m/29,028 ft) along with Edmund Hillary, in 1953 provided the impetus to mountaineering as an organized sport in India, and it was to commemorate this singular success that the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) was founded in Darjeeling with the personal initiative of Late Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. The Institute was established on 4th November 1954, which was then the hub center of all mountaineering activity in India. Late Maj N.D. Jayal was the first Principal of the Institute whereas Late Tenzing Norgay was Director of Field Training. The Institute is located at an altitude of 6800 feet above sea level.

In 1954, the Institute was started at Roy Villa on Lebong Cart Road. It was shifted to present location on the western spur of Birch Hill (Jawahar Parbat) in 1957. The Institute is the landmark in Darjeeling and an important center of tourist attraction. It commands a magnificient view of Kanchenjunga massif. The Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research was approached to prepare a scheme for the HMI and Arnold Glatthard, Principal of Swiss Mountaineering School, Rosenlaui, visited Darjeeling for this purpose and made the necessary recommendations.

The Institute is an autonomous body. It is governed by an Executive Council which is headed by the Hon'ble Defence Minister as the President. The Hon'ble Chief Minister of the State of West Bengal is the Vice President of the Institute. The council has eminent mountaineers as its members. The representatives of Govt. of Nepal and Govt. of Bhutan are also members of the Council.

(a) Light hat for trekking
(b) Scarf woollen and Balaclava.
(c) Underwear
(d) Light weight rain-coat or Umbrella
(e) Nylon socks - 3 pairs
(f) Two cotton sport shirts for trekking.
(g) Jungle boots/ trekking boots - one pair.
(h) Small torch with cells.
(i) Writing materials.
(j) Toilet requisites.
(k) Woolen gloves - one pair.
(l) Water proof cover for turbans (for sikhs only).
(m) Swimming trunks / swimsuit (for Adventure Course trainees only).
(n) Woolen socks - 2 pairs.
(o) Sun glasses.
(p) Woolen pullover.
(q) Small jungle knife nails and tin cutter.
(r) Anti Chap Cream i.e. Vaseline/ Boroline.
(s) Small locks.
(t) Bed sheet and pillow cover - 2 each.

Ultimate location of Mountain Climbing
Peaks of Himachal Pradesh - mountains around Manali hold the charm for beginner climbers. Across the Rohtang pass at the Lahaul region are many majestic clump of peaks rising up to an height of 6500m and offer the climber some of the most challenging peaks, easy snowplow peaks or even rocky peaks.

Peaks of Jammu / Kashmir like Kolahoi -5425m and Harmukh -5148m offers an opportunity for a rapid alpine rising. The most popular peaks in the Kishtwar Region - Sickle Moon, Arjuna and Flat Top extend up to 6000m in altitude. Zanskar, Nun and Kun, behold a regular stream of climbers with their breathtaking height of more than 7000m. The hypnotic region of Ladakh have challenged mountaineers and made itself one of the prime locations for mountain climbing.

In the Gangotri valley the prime source of holy Ganges hold the charm of Shivling- 6542m, and Meru- 6540 m. The state of Uttar Pradesh offers some of the most challenging peaks to its climbers like the peaks of Kedarnath- 6937m, Bhaghrati- 6853m.

Idle Time for Climbing Adventure
The month of May to October is the idle time for taking up this sport in India. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation helps in organizing and sponsoring mountaineering expeditions. It also facilitates climbing for foreign tourists and deputes a liaison officer to accompany foreign climbers. All inquiries have to be forwarded to IMF for clearance. It is desirable to give at least a 6-month's notice before setting out on an expedition.

Important Gears in Mountain Climbing
All the technical equipment is arranged by the Institutes, therefore there is no requirement for any specified item. Don't forget to check your equipment while taking it from the Institute and before using it. Carry a pair of cheap canvas shoes and get the rubber from an inner tube attached as a sole. This is a great help in rock climbing.

Other important gears for mountain climbing
A backpack, coat, a canteen of water, enough food to last you the entire trip, flashlight, first aid kit, sunglasses, a map (try to get one of the mountain you are climbing), Crampons, an ice axe, warm clothing, and a rope.

Permit Requirement
The grant of the permit from Government of India and issue of `X' Mountaineering Visa by Indian Embassy/High Commission abroad is a prerequisite of mountain climbing thrill