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During mountaineering expeditions we come across many technical unanswered problems, and then go we go blank about them...

During mountaineering expeditions we come across many technical unanswered problems, and then go we go blank about them, like 8211; what is the correct way to climb? Or what could be the right way to summit? Have you thought about pursuing a mountaineering course, but didn8217;t know where to begin? This week, we8217;ll talk about mountaineering institutes in India which are offering various courses throughout the year.

BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE: The objectives of basic course are multiple. It aims to creates a right attitude so that trainees view mountaineering as an art and not merely a physical activity. Here, at the base camp, students learn rock, ice and snow craft. The institute teaches theoretical and practical aspects of mountaineering and its allied subjects. It helps in strengthening the body by increasing its resistance to cold, hunger and fatigue. You can contact:

Atal Bihari Institute Of Mountaineering 038; Allied Sports, Manali: 01902-250337, 253789, 252342, 252206 Fax: 252137.

Email: infowhmi.net , dmas_manaliyahoo.com

Duration: 26 days

Age: 16 years and above

Period: May to November

Fee: Rs 4,500

Himalyan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling: 91 354 2254083 / 2254087 / 2270158. Fax: 91 354 53760 / 54330

Email: hmi_slgsancharnet.in, hmi_darjrediffmail.com

Duration: 28 days

Age: 16 years and above

Period: March, April, May, September, October and November

Fee: Rs 7,000

Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi: 01374-222123, 224663. Fax: 223344

Email: nimutk2004sancharnet.in

Duration: 25 days

Age: 17 to 35 years

Period: March to October

Fee: Rs 4,700

ADVENTURE COURSE: This course basically deals with school students, teachers and adults who are exposed to various outward-bound activities like trekking, rock climbing, bush craft, waterman ship. Lecturette, camping, cooking, navigation, study of flora and fauna, their conservation and many other activities form the course. Through these activities, students realize the potential of their characters, strength and weaknesses, both physical and mental, and the ability to lead an active life under any natural condition. It teaches what no class room can teach. The course inculcates young minds, and teaches them the very essence of individual skills and team work. It8217;s very popular, heavily booked and invariably over subscribed by the leading schools of India.

Atal Bihari Institute Of Mountaineering 038; Allied Sports, Manali:

Duration: 14 days

Age: 12 years and above

Period: Can be coordinated

Fee: Rs 3,900

Nehru Institute Of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi:

Duration: Summers

Age: 4 to 18 years

Period: Summers

Fee: Depends upon the group

ADVANCE MOUNTAINEERING COURSE: The course provides advance training and experience of climbing a mountain in an expedition planned by trainees under the supervision of instructors. They also learn the various rescue operations in different mountainous terrain. Besides lectures, bouldering on Tenzing rocks, the trainees undertake exercise in load carrying and trekking to prepare themselves for approach march to base camp for advance field training. Advance Mountaineering Course aims at training the students for becoming potential leaders and members of expeditions into the Himalayas. The aim is to churn out 8216;Lead Climbers8217;.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

Duration: 28 days

Age: 18 to 40 years

Period: March to October

Fee: Rs 7,700

Nehru Institute Of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi:

Duration: 28 days

Age: 18 to 40 years;

Compulsion: Candidates must have an 8216;A8217; grade in the Basic Course from NIM or from a recognized Mountaineering Institute of India.

Period: April to October

These courses teaches us to face new challenges and become better human beings with much more confidence. It is not possible to measure changes in character by any statistical yardstick after the course. Qualitatively, however it has been found that those who complete the course adopt a better outlook towards life by accepting responsibility with courage and confidence, working as a team and understanding the others point of view on which good citizenship is based.

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The writer is a city based gemologist and owns an adventure club, clubfootloose.com. Mail him at solisethigmail.com