Steps to being a Professional Mountaineer

Have you ever thought of being a mountaineer but have no idea where to start? Well, this article will guide you on how to be a professional mountaineer in not more than 2 months.

To be a qualified mountaineer you need certain degrees just like the degrees you need to qualify for jobs. The first of the courses for a beginner is the Basic Mountaineering Course(BMC). This is a 26/28 day course depending on the institution from where you are pursuing it. In this course you are taught all about snow craft and ice craft techniques in addition to rock craft. After course completion you would know about the various knots used in Mountaineering/Rock Climbing, how to walk on snow and ice, the use of various equipments in Mountaineering and a general idea of the various rescue techniques in Mountaineering. But, to complete this course successfully you need a high level of fitness. The advice is to run a 5Km every alternate day and do pushups, pullups and chinups regularly. Also, reach your institution 4-5 days before the course to acclimatize to the conditions.

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Snow Craft Training Area

After your basic mountaineering course you could next do your advance mountaineering course (AMC), which is more or less is of the same duration as your Basic Mountaineering Course. But, to be eligible to do a course in Advance Mountaineering, you need to have Grade A or above. A successful completion of BMC doesn’t guarantee eligibility for AMC.

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Ice Craft Training Area

In Advance Mountaineering Course, you are taught about all the Advanced techniques in Mountaineering and you are put through more difficult situations. Apart from high level of fitness, you need to have a strong will in order to complete this course.

With a Grade A accreditation, you are now eligible for going on your own expeditions after availing permission from the Indian Mountaineering Federation (IMF) or you do a course in Method Of Instruction to be a Mountaineering Instructor in the premier institutes of India.

There are 4 recognized institutes in India offering the courses –

1. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi
2. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling
3. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports.
4. Jawaharlal Institute of Mountaineering, Pahalgam

And do feel free to ask me more, if you have any questions:

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