Basic Mountaineering Course at National Institute Of Mountaineering and Allied Sports — NIMAS
A journey of 28 days began on 21 Aug 2019, little we knew that these 28 days will be the most exerted days of your life till now as well as one of the most memorable days we might ever have in our lifetime.
The whole course was covered in 3 Phases (Dirang, New Melling and Meerathang) having 2 major activities Rock Craft and Ice Craft although we had some water activities it was mostly for fun.
DAY 1
After receiving all the equipment on the day of arrival, day 1 marked the start of our activities, we woke up around 5 o’clock in the morning getting ready for our first trek, but to our surprise, there was a trek as well as a 1.6 km run practice, trek was almost around 6–8 km without weights. After this, it was breakfast around 9 o’clock and after that few lectures to continue for a few hours. After all this, equipment was given to students who didn’t get theirs earlier and the day ended with just these activities.
DAY 2
Began with 7 km walk around the perimeter of NIMAS without weight and practise run of 1.6 km which led to HIIT workout of almost half-hour with military persons, yes even military persons were doing this course, after all these activities we were given breakfast and which led to rock climbing area which was again a few km trek with all equipment. This marked our start of Rock Craft and we had to perform bouldering which was not that easy.
DAY 3 & 4
From here onwards weights were added for our treks and today it was 10kg, the trek was up to a region known as HELMET TOP, which was 4 km from NIMAS Institute, the trek was way more difficult than we expected as it was a steep climb. Trek was mostly a jungle trek and on our route, we found few new friends Leech yes many of us were bitten by this leech, from this day we started checking for leeches after every climb till we reach MAGO. Trek was followed by 1.6 km and rock climbing or sports climbing and then few lectures on various aspects and that was a wrap for the day.
DAY 5 & 6
Now was the time to get used to weights and long trek so today was our first long trek to jimithang with 15kg load and trek was almost 24 km packed lunch was also provided to us, Trek started around 7:00 am and we were back to the Institute by 3:00 pm. After this, it was a lecture for the history of Indian mountaineering for the next two days this was schedule with 1.6 km after trek instead of the lecture. So we had almost 3 days practice for 1.6 km. So we had a practice of Trekking, Rock Climbing, Sports Wall Climbing, 1.6 km run and few lectures on various mountaineering aspects for almost 4–5 days and this bought us to the day of 1.6 km run test
DAY 7
The day started with a 1.6 km run test. Based on your timings we were graded from super excellent to poor most of super excellent to excellent were military persons with few civilians and marks were given based on our performance. After this was sports wall climbing which was followed by a market visit at dirang for various essentials as the next day was a move to New Melling we were given 2 hrs for shopping. Also, we were given 5–6 DairyMilk, chocolates, biscuits and dry fruits for our next move and this marked the end of our Rock Craft in NIMAS Institute and end of our Phase 1.
DAY 8
Towards New Melling, Our backpack was loaded with almost 25 kg and we were ready for our move, we had a ride till Jung which was few km from NIMAS and from there it was 14 km trek to new melling this was the most difficult trek till now as it was total ascend from the start we reached around 3:30 pm tents were allotted to us and after which we had dinner and just slept. Btw the break that we got during this 14 km trek was just 30 mins(2 * 5 min water break and 20 min lunch break ).
DAY 9
The Rock Craft continued at new melling (Phase 2), for the next 4 days we will be doing Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Jumaring out of which Tests will be conducted for Rock Climbing. All these activities were conducted after morning trek in which load was increased every day from 10 kg up to 15 kg and trek distance from 9 km to 16 km and achieving a height of 10600 feet (Thingbu Village). We used to get free by 4 pm after that it would be just dinner and the end of the day. In between these activities, few instructors would teach how to tie different knots and bases which are part of rock climbing these sessions had already started from NIMAS.
ROCK CLIMBING & BASES & KNOTS TEST
After a few days of reaching new melling and practicing rock climbing and all. The test was conducted for rock climbing in which we were given 4 times the time the instructor would climb the wall( Wall 1 & 2 were used for test ). Also, time for bases test was 3 min in which you have to create a natural and artificial base. Also, knots test was conducted in which different situations were given to us and we were asked to tie a knot for that.
These tests marked the end of our Rock Craft and our Ice Craft would start after a few days till we reach Meerathang.
DAY 13
Next Move to MAGO, this was the most enduring trek with 25 kg backpack and 24 km trek, we had to cover 3 peaks which took almost 9 hrs to complete the break we were given was for 20 mins with lunch included, MAGO was at a height of 11,400 feet after reaching MAGO the only thing we wanted was to have dinner and sleep. The only good thing about this day was we were told that tomorrow there will be an 8 km trek without Load.
DAY 14
The day started with a trek to Chuna Post which is a military base camp on reaching there we were greeted with the best breakfast till the course has started. Chuna Post was at a height of almost 13000 feet and after breakfast few pictures were clicked with military officials and then we were back to MAGO base camp in our tents. After reaching base, timings were allotted for the hot water bath to the ropes(students were divided into multiple groups) and then it was wrap and we could rest for the day.
DAY 15
After a day halt in Mago, it was time to move to jeethang. As altitude was increasing the oxygen level was going down and the temperature was falling. It took almost 6 hrs to reach jeethang after reaching there tents were assigned and within few hrs, we were asked to leave our tents with sleeping bag little did we knew that today will be our Survival test.
SURVIVAL TEST
Survival test was conducted on the same day we reached jeethang whereas we thought it would be on the next day. We were handed Ration and few utensils for cooking food, sleeping bag, tiffin box, and water bottle and were asked to find shelter for sleeping in the night. Each group found their place to sleep at night and marks would be given on the basis of how good you cook food and how safe your shelter is .
DAY 16
Day after survival night we left for Meerathang our last base camp from where Ice Craft will mark its beginning, Trek to meerathang was almost 11 Km, route was difficult and it was almost as tiring as Mago trek only the distance was less. Currently, we were at a height of 14,600 feet and Meerathang Glacier is about 7 km from here.
Day 17
Ice Craft (Phase 3) starts here, for next 4 days we had a trek to meerathang glacier which is 7 km from here at a height of 16,400 feet it took us 4 hours to reach glacier almost around by 12 pm we used to reach there. Then it was 2 hours drill in which we were taught various ice climbing techniques like 1-point, 2-point, 3-point and 4 -point. Out of all these techniques, 4-point test will be conducted on the Ice wall on the 5th day and also there was a crevasse rescue test.
RaniJheel was on of the soothing sights on the way to glacier.Just 2 hours activity with snow shoes and crampon was way too tiring. After activity was completed the descend used to take almost 3 hours and on the ways we were supposed to carry wood so that we can used them to prepare Hot water for drinking.
DAY 21,22 & 23
Last day of our Glacier activity also marks the end of our Ice Craft and Rock Craft.After reaching Meerathang Base from glacier we all were relieved that all strenuous activities are done and we will be marching back to NIMAS Institute and for next two days we had to descend.
Descend had started and the next stop was MAGO we were not going to halt at jeethang as we did while coming up.So it was a long strech of almost 25km with 25 kg weight we reached MAGO by 3:00 pm after which we slept as on the next day we had move towards New Melling which is almost 24km again.
DAY 24 (Endurance Test)
Now it was time for our final test of the course and a physical test which has max number (20 marks). To achieve 20 marks one has to complete test within and time period of 56 mins and 2 marks will be deducted for 4 min late. After the test it was time for water crossing activites which was mostly done for fun as we all had not bathed for almost 12–15 days.
DAY 25 & 26
We headed back to Jung from new melling and Bus was ready to take us to NIMAS institute. After reaching back we move to your tents and slept for the day.
Next day it written test was conducted of 50 marks and time was 1 hr to complete the test. Once test was completed we had directors assessment in which it was more an informal chat with Major/Director about Course.
DAY 27
Next Day around 7:00 am we left NIMAS with memories.Also we were left a day early as no vehicles were available on the next day because of Vishwakarma Puja.
