Mountaineering in India

Location	India & Nepal Himalayas
Altitude	8,848m
Main Attractions	Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Annapurna, K2, Nanda Devi
Best Time to Visit	April to November & December to March

The lure of Himalayas is irresistible for the mountaineers, as the Himalayas are the greatest range of mountains on earth, their beauty, vastness, fascination and mystery will always have an everlasting appeal for those who venture in this region.

The captivating landscape, with an incomparable diversity of flora and fauna: Himalayas is regarded as the 'Mountaineers paradise' and, indeed, is a refreshing treat to the Mountaineers. Himalayas is the ultimate destination for a holiday, offering everything from short and easy excursions to the long challenges of the snowy peaks, invoking visions of the spectacular Himalayas, the lush meadows, green woodland and fragrant orchards.

Mountaineering accentuates and exercises the quality of self-reliance, leadership and discipline and determination amongst adventure sports lovers.

Seasons

While the mountaineering season tends to be concentrated around the April-November period, a number of climbs are also attempted in winter (December-March) which, though much colder, allows for clearer climbing days.

Classification of Mountaineering Categories

Mountaineering routes are graded, according to the degree of difficulty and accessibility. Prior medical examination is essential. The permanent snowline, generally being in the region of 5,200 m, the degree of difficulty of mountaineering routes, can broadly be defined as :

Moderate

Requiring knowledge of basic mountaineering techniques, such as those imparted by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering at Uttarkashi, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute at Darjeeling, and the Western Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering at Manali.

Advanced

For this category of peaks, it is necessary to be in top physical condition, and to possess advanced mountaineering skills, either through the advanced courses of mountaineering institutes, or through expedition experience. Within this category, further demarcation is possible, till the highest degrees of difficulty.

Mountaineering Sites in The Himalayas

Ladakh

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.

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.
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Manali

Situated at the northern end of the kullu valley, Manali has spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and is Surrounded by towering peaks from all around. Manali's major asset is its proximity to the snowline. It has a flourishing orchard industry, a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers.
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Kangchenjunga Peak - Sikkim's Guardian Deity

Shrouded in heavy mist, the guardian deity Kangchenjunga both protects and terrifies the inhabitants of the magical kingdom of Sikkim . An awe-inspiring mass of rock clothed in dazzling white snow, this Himalayan giant is world's third highest peak at 8,590m (28,199ft). The name itself means 'House of Five Treasures' represented by its five soaring summits.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling is the dreamland of the east and boasts of extraordinary natural splendor. At an altitude of 8,586 meters, the Darjeeling hills are the highest mountains in India. This beautiful hill station is largely under forest cover and surrounded by tea plantations. Buddhist monasteries dot the land.

The dense alpine trees, beautiful orchids, panoramic lakes etc. provide the perfect setting for long hikes. A mountaineer trek to the Tiger Hill is highly recommended. The panoramic glimpse of Mt. Everest and breathtaking view of the sunrise over Kanchenjunga are exhilarating.
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Mountaineering in Garhwal & Kumaon Himalayas, Uttaranchal

The Garhwal and Kumon region in the state of Uttaranchal not only constitutes a large part of the Himalayas, but also contains some of the most challenging peaks - Nanda Devi, Trisul, Dunagiri, Kamet, Chaukhamba, Nilkanth, Bandarpoonch, etc.
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Mounatineering in Sikkim Himalayas

The Sikkim Himalayas, the epitome of the world's mountains, encompass a wonderland, which for sheer beauty and magnificence remains unbeaten elsewhere in the globe. In the southwestern part of Sikkim, in the main Himalayan range, lies the majestic Kanchendzonga or Kanchenjunga, rising to a staggering height of 8,585 m (28,169 ft) above sea level. Beside this third largest peaks, other famous mountaineering peaks in Sikkim include - Kabru, Kirat Chulior Tent Peak (7,365 m) and Sinolchu (6,887 m).
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Mountaineering in Nepal

The Everest or Khumbu region is justifiably the most famous of all trekking and mountaineering regions of Nepal. Populated by Sherpas, the attractions of this area are the majestic mountains, the high mountain villages, the isolated monasteries, and the local peoples. This area includes the highest mountain in the world, Everest at 8,848m, and many of the world's 8,000m peaks such as Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makal.

Mounatineering in Tibet

Even if Tibet is new to the mountaineering and adventure sport circuit, still if you like to explore the unexplored visit this cold desert land. Tibetan mountaineering associations have been issuing permits to foreign climbers for mount Everest and twenty other summits. The majority of these mountains are part of the high Himalayas between Everest and Shishapangma, though several other interesting 7,000m and 6,000 peaks have been opened on other regions of Tibet.

Mountaineering in Bhutan

Just like Tibet, mountaineering in the Bhutanese Himalayas is a recent development . Bhutan is one of the most exclusive and rare destinations for any tourist. The unique culture, architecture, lofty snowcapped peaks, fortress like "Dzongs", Lamaist Buddhist traditions and its friendly people leave an everlasting impression on the visitor. Almost all the trekking and mountaineering expeditions in Bhutan range above 3,000m.

Ecological Balance

The call of the mountains is growing, and it will always be there if the basic character of mountains does not suffer a setback. Much harm can be done to the mountains if mountaineers and trekkers do not take adequate measures to preserve the ecological balance. Forests not only make mountains. The mountaineers and trekkers will do well in saving the green trees. Then the litter from the camps needs to be collected and properly dumped and destroyed. The wild life should not to be disturbed at all. These are some important codes of conduct, which the mountaineers should enforce strictly.