TYPES OF COURSES CONDUCTED AT HMI

Himalayan Mountaineering institute conduct variety of mountaineering and adventure courses which are intensive and comprehensive giving trainees an opportunity to develop a new capacity and skill in mountain climbing. In addition to the technical skills, the institute aims to develop in each student a spirit of adventure. Institute conducts 16 scheduled courses every year. One adventure courses is reserved for visually handicapped persons. One course on methods of instruction (MOI) is conducted for the potential instructors who wants to pursue mountaineering as a career. In addition, many special courses are run for the student and adults on specific demand. All the courses are highly subsidized and institute charges very nominal fee which includes the cost of training, equipment, boarding and lodging. Prospectus and course schedule can be had from the institute at any time. Vacancies are reserved on ‘First Come First Serve’ basis.

ELIGIBILITY:
Any person who conforms to the desired age group and is not suffering from any ailment is eligible for the course. A relaxation in age could be given in exceptional cases. In special courses the age different trainees Of the same group should not be very high. Course vacancy is confirmed only on payment of course fee in advance. Prospectus is available on payment of RS.100 from the institute or can be downloaded from our website “exploredarjeeling.com”. For foreign student fee for adventure course is US$250 (Fee may be revised shortly). Foreign students are eligible for all courses provided they have valid travel documents.

ADVENTURE COURSES
Fifteen day’s adventure course is designed on the same pattern as outward bound courses in west. It is primarily for boys and girls; however adults are also permitted in one course. The course provides a stimulating experience of physical outdoor pursuits such as trekking, camping, rock craft and even water sports. The aim is to bring children out of the sheltered environment of schools and homes. The course is designed to instill in them a sense of comradeship discipline, selflessness, service to commodity and concern for environment protection.

Renowned Public Schools have made it compulsory for their students to undergo an adventure course. This course is generally conducted for their students immediately after annual exam of 8th and 9th standard or during the annual vacation. The scheduled Adventure courses are conducted during January,February,April,May,November and December every year. The seat for the course can be booked in advance by paying course are conducted on demand during any time of the year except in monsoons.   BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURES The objectives of basic course are many fold. It aims to creates a correct attitude among the trainee so that they view mountaineering as an art and not merely a physical activity. It stimulates in them a spirit of adventure. It teaches them to face new challenges and become better human being with much more confidence. It is not possible to measure changes in character by any statical yardstick after the course. Qualitatively, however it has been found that those who complete the course adopt a better outlook towards the 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.   The proud is humbled, the timid is encouraged, the shirker and the leader are equally revealed. Self confidence grows, life is given a purpose and sense of service is developed. The duration of the course is of 28 days. This period is divided into different phases as follows: (a) Acclimastisation & theoretical training in around Darjeeling -05days (b) Trekking (approach to the base camp t 14,600ft and return 07days (c) Field Training(above Base Camp) -14 days (d) Administration and Graduation ceremony – 02 days Field training is carried out at Chaurikhang, the institute’s base camp (bc) in west sikkim at an altitude of 14600 ft. The BC is the most beautiful place in west Sikkim. One gets a beautiful view of Kabru group of Mountain along with Rathog and Kokthang peaks. Frey andBC Roy peaks in the vicinity are attempted by traines for height gain during this course. In the base camp students learn rock, ice and snow craft. The scheduled basic courses are conducted during March, April, May, September, October and November every year. ADVANCE MOUNTAINEERING COURSE Only those Trainees who obtain ‘A’ grade in basic course are eligible for Advance course. This course is also of 28 days. 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 Trek from Yuksum to base camp passing through sub alpine forest is covered in four days. After spending 21 days in the mountains learning advance mountaineering techniques students come back as fully trained mountaineers and far better human being. The last three days are for assimilation Administration and graduation ceremony of the course. Persons qualified on advance mountaineering courses can participate in big mountaineering expeditions at international level. Scheduled advance courses are conducted during March may and September every year. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION COURSE Only those who obtain ‘A’ grade in advance course and have an inclination to pursue mountaineering as a career are recommended for this course. Besides testing their knowledge on advance techniques, the trainees are given practical training to handle students and develop instructional ability. This course is also of 28 days. It aims to create a pool of potential guides and instructors for every part of world who can promote mountaineering in their respective areas through various clubs and foundations. COURSE FOR VISUALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS (VHP) AND UNDER PRIVILEGED SECTIONS SOCIETY HMI is the only institute which conducts mountaineering adventure courses for VHP. In addition to the teaching of basics of rocks craft, trainees are also taken for high altitude trekking. Trainees from under privileged section of society and disabled person are also enrolled in such courses. We look forward for sponsors to conduct such courses. This course is generally conducted in April every year.   SPECIAL COURSE HMI also conduct special on sports climbing, rockclimbing, adventure and basic mountaineering courses on demand. Duration of these courses can vary as per the requirement of the trainees. These courses are generally conducted for a minimum group of 20 persons, students corporate house, defence house or paramilitary forces. The fee is charged on the actual cost basis which is very nominal. The details can be obtained from principal HMI. Sports Climbing courses are very popular amongst young school children from 4th to 9th standard who come during weekends or on vacations to do such courses. These courses develop sound character and imparts traits of personality in young children. Popularity of these courses has increased so much that one has to book these courses well in advance.   PARTICPATION OF WOMEN   Girls and women were earlier discouraged to undertake mountaineering. HMI is the first institute in India which started exclusive courses for the fair sex in 1961. since then exclusive and mixed courses are being run for women, the details of which are published in its annual training programme. We recommend maximum girls/ women to make use of HMI courses.