From
primarily a cultural tourist destination for several decades, India
has emerged as one of the most sought-after adventure destinations
for discerning international travelers. Perhaps no other single
country in the world offers the variety of adventure opportunities
as India does.
Mountaineering is a sport that has challenge in every step. The Indian Himalayas yield every kind of challenge a climber could ask for, unparallel in scope for high adventure. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal are India's major mountaineering states, while Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh offer restricted climbing.
Each region affords its unique mountaineering possibilities to satisfy the most seasoned of mountaineers as well as amateur enthusiasts and beginners. The Himalayan glaciers are called temperate valley type and are much smaller in size as compared to polar glaciers. Glaciers are of special interest to mountaineers as they often provide the easiest approach to a peak. So get your gear set and take the challenge of climbing and conquering the lofty peaks of India.
Mountaineering Tour Tips
Cautions & Essential Equipments
The 10 essential things you require while mountaineering are: a map, compass, extra clothing for changing, matches, fire starter, knife or multi purpose camp tool, sunglasses, extra food, first aid kit, headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries, sunscreen, water filter or other method of water purification and whistle as a crucial security item to keep handy when exploring unpredictable terrain.
A topographic map should accompany you on any trip that involves anything more than an off beaten tracks or nature trails. Not to get lost on the way, then carry a compass combined with map-reading skills that can help you stay on course.
Conditions can abruptly turn wet, windy or frigid in the mountains so its essential to carry extra clothing or two in you backpack. Always pack at least one extra day's worth of food. Any first aid kit should include moleskin (for blisters), adhesive bandages of various sizes, several gauze pads, adhesive tape, disinfecting ointment, over-the-counter pain medication, pen and paper.
Headlamps allow you to keep your hands free during any activity and are usually a climber's first choice for a light source. Matches headed into the mountainous regions should be the waterproof variety, or they should be stored in a waterproof container. Knives or multi-tools are handy for gear repair, food preparation, first aid, making firewood or other emergency needs.
Mountaineering & Ice Climbing Regions In India
The Himalayas have always grabbed the interest of almost every climber and extreme sports lover in the world. Among the Indian Himalayas, the most challenging peaks that climbers crave to climb are Nanda Devi and Kanchenjunga. For the biggest mountaineering challenges in India, a climber can opt the Garhwal Himalayas, the Zanskar range in Jammu & Kashmir, Kullu & Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh and the eastern Himalayan range of Sikkim & Darjeeling.
Across the Indus River to the south of Leh, beyond the village of Stok, there is a range of mountains that is popular with climbers. The base camp for climbing in this region is about two days trek from Stok, along the trail towards the Ganda La, one of the entrances over the range to the Markha Valley. Most of the peaks in this area are unnamed, but Stok Kangri at 6,150m, Gulap Kangri at 5,900m, Mashiro Kangri at 7,537 m and Kantaka at 5,275m are among some of the named peaks that any mountaineer would love to conquer.
The
Suru and Zanskar valleys provide some of the more spectacular and difficult
climbing in Ladakh. The Nun Kun Massif is one of the most frequent climbing
areas of the region and is booked out for months ahead, sometimes years, by
climbing expeditions. The approach to the twin peaks is from the
Kargil-Padum Road, about 70-km south of Kargil. The main approach is either
from Tangole or Gulmadong. Some expeditions have also approached from
Parkutse along the Kangri Glacier. To reach the base camp for Kun it is for
the climbers necessary to cross the Suru River.The Nun Kun Massif, which lies on the great Himalayan range, is the highest peak in Ladakh at 7,077m. Other named peaks within the Suru and Zanskar areas are Pinnacle at 6,930m, White Needle at 6,500m, Z1 at 6,400m and D41 at 5,600m. In this region, along the Great Himalayas to the south of the valley and the Zanskar range to the north, there are many peaks between 5,500 and 6,500m, and enthusiastic climbers could even claim some of these higher peaks for their own although all claims must be registered with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
The most frequented climbing area at the Zanskar range is around the village of Trakkur, just over the Pensi La Pass from padum and near the foot of the Turung Drung Glacier. The major mountaineering peaks in this region are Z2 at 6,175m, Z3 at 6,270m and Z8 at 6,050m.
Pir Panjal mountaineering range is situated south of the Himalayas. The vale of Kashmir is sandwiched between the Pir Panjals and the Himalayas. Similarly the Lahaul valley, north of Manali and south of Ladakh, is sandwiched between the two ranges.
Mountaineering Season
Mainly the mountaineering and ice-climbing season in India is in the months of April and November, still the climbers who love to go to extremes attempt climbing during the winter months of December and March too. Even in the monsoon season, Ladakh, Zanskar, Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur make a good choice for climbing, as these areas do not come under the Indian rain shadow region.
Mountaineering Places:
