Himalayan Mountaineering Institute vs Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Mountaineering

[Karthik Ashok]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if any of you have taken the mountaineering course at HMI or JNIM. I was told that JNIM is better for beginners and HMI is better for advanced level programs. My friend did JNIM and told me it was a grueling 20 days. Not that I am shying away from the hard work but I feel HMI will be less like an army camp. My concerns is the quality of the training though. I am planning to do this in the month of September it will be good to know if anyone has done HMI and of course if anyone else is giving it a shot this year. Cheers!

Karthik

[flyhigh]

I am not aware about the quality. The main difference I read was, the
basic course will be mostly inside base and minimum trekking. The
advanced course is full of trekking. I had spoken to the Principal of
HMI. Cost was around 4000 for the beginners certification inclusive of
everything.

Let me know if there is a batch of people from CTC who are registering
for this course. I will join you.

mohan

[Baidik]

Hey Karthik,

Been long wanting to do a course at either of these places. Have done neither till date so cant second guess on which ones better. However my public readings on this and visit to Darjeeling make me want to share a few points.

1. Darjeeling gives you the Himalayan+exotoca+mystical feeling.. may be coz of the populace 

2. JNIM has been around for a longer time.. so guess the guys there know for certain what they're doing. They're heavily manned by Sherpas.. and as you know.. taking a walk to say the Everest Base Camp is their idea of a weekend hang out :)

3. JNIM is manned by an army guy I'm told. It'd be nice to be under a roughy when you're roughing it out.

4. Terrain wise, I think JNIM would offer a more challenging one. If the clouds and Yetis are friendly, you could catch several glimpses of Everest and Kanchan and trek parallel to this. I get goose bumps even as I imagine this! (I suppose from HMI u could see only Everest) 

5. Lastly, I hear very many instructors and Sherpas of JNIM has scaled Mt. Everest and Kanchandzonga. What better way to spend an autumn break than rubbing shoulders with these champions ?

I understand these are not any insights at all, but just felt like shooting a mail seeing the topic. Been wanting to do a course here for long. If possible, keep us in the loop when uve decided on which place to go.

All the best,

Baidik.

[Arul Sekar P]

hey guys.... Interesting to see this thread..

I did it from HMI as peter said...

the other institute is called NIM more popularly than JNIM..

One other institute DMAS in manali is also decent ( they concentrate
more on skiing)

Let me tell you some thing whether its HMI or NIM its all about your
Mental grit to push ur physical limits in staying active for one month
in those extreme climatic conditions....

it's more about you stamina & mental strength... - remember about
40% of guys will come from Indian Military to get trained in
mountaineering techniques, We will have to just keep up with those
guys ....

If we can take it as a challenge & do it - its an experience out of
this world....

The day they find that you not fit enough / falling sick they will
send you back home.

check my HMI photos at
http://picasaweb.google.com/arulsekar/HMI

I tell you its Out of the world experience, just give it a try.


if u want me to specifically differentiate .. then
HMI - instructers are more of hardcore Climbers than from millitary..
(more focus on Toughness )
NIM - most of them are from the millitary..( little more focus on technique )

Any of the about 3 institutes is fine.,Guys just go for it if u can
take a month off.......

write back to me- arul...@gmail.com , if u want any specific details...

regards,
arul.

[Sanket]

There are 3 Institutes in India that offer Basic Mountaineering Course
1. JNIM, Uttar Kashi
2. HMI, Darjeeling
3. DMAS, Manali

NIM is run by Indian Army so they expect strict discipline...and HMI
has nicer views I guess
Otherwise in terms of quality od course...there's not much of a
difference in all these insti's...you get screwed equally well in all
of em :)
I guess these insti's conduct 3 basic and 1 advance course in a
year...so better check their schedule
Also you need to book for the course at least 1 month in advance...
I've done Basic from DMAS and believe me, it was one of the most
amazing experiences of my life...don't miss it!!

Regards,

Sanket

[mohankumar sekhar]

Hi

28 days for basic training. Food and travel(train) expenses inclusive. Call up the principal for any revision of the fee amount.

http://www.himalayanmountaineeringinstitute.com/Course_Details_Schedules.htm

Thats the link for their website. And also you can get the phone numbers from the Contact's page.

HMI also gives ads in Hindu, inviting people for summer camps and certification.

If you got plans. Please keep me posted.

regards
mohan

On Sat, Mar 7, 2009 at 6:50 AM, DK <maj...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Mohan,

Wat is the time frame for the course?
Where is it held?

Thanks & regards
Dinesh

[Karthik Ashok]

Baidik are you planning on doing it this Sep?

http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/india/darjeeling/sightseeing-in-darjeeling/himalayan-mountaineering-institute-in-darjeeling.html 

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/indian_himalayas/21494

More resources:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/himalaya_trekkers/

Some quick facts:

- HMI established in 1954 under Tenzing Norgay. JNIM was established in 1965.

- Both are run by army colonels

- Both have a bunch of Sherpas as part of their training team.

- JNIM conducts its training in Tekhla Rock Area HMI is conducted in Chaurikhang en route to Kanchenjunga

Really there is little to choose between the two :).

On Sat, Mar 7, 2009 at 10:25 AM, Baidik <bai...@gmail.com> wrote:

[sujai karhik]

The next available course in NIM is on 13th September. Anyone
interested? I am planning to join it, Duration is 28 days... You can
come back home for before diwali.

On 3/8/09, Karthik Ashok <karthi...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Baidik are you planning on doing it this Sep?
> http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/india/darjeeling/sightseeing-in-darjeeling/himalayan-mountaineering-institute-in-darjeeling.html
> <http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/india/darjeeling/sightseeing-in-darjeeling/himalayan-mountaineering-institute-in-darjeeling.html>
>
> http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/indian_himalayas/21494
>
> More resources:

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/himalaya_trekkers/<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/himalaya_trekkers/join?>

[GOPAL KIDAO]

Hi folks,
Although I have not done the course at HMI, they were very helpful in
organizing a trek to Goecha-La (in sikkim) to view the Kanchenjunga. A
member of our group had done the course at HMI earlier (she loved it) and
for our trip we rented a tent from them and they also helped us in locating
a suitable guide. The principal is a very enthusiastic person.

And don't miss the museum @ HMI. It has some great exhibits and it makes you
appreciate the early mountaineers who made ascents inspite of such bulky and
primitive equipment. In fact one of the instructors mentioned that his
grandfather was in team that accompanied Mallory & Irvine on their ill-fated
Everest attempt.

Enjoy your course...

Rgds
gopal

[gopal kishore]

HI All,

Would like to add my experience at HMI as it may help you guys, atleast those who are planning to go there.

1) in HMI. you will have to trek 40 KMs one way to reach the final base camp. After a training of 7-9 days, you will have to trek back the same route. We are looking at altitudes from 9000 FT ( Bakhim ) to 14500 ft ( Final base camp ). and you will have to carry a backpack of almost 25 KG. So if you think you can prepare for this, then HMI is the best place to do your basic course. ( am planning to do my advance from NIM end of this year )  I did mine in Nov - Dec last year and it was the best experience of my life! 

2) The training in HMI is better as they teach you the very basics while the focus in NIM is on technique. so, I would suggest learn the basics from HMI and advanced from NIM. 

3) you can check the photos here. I think its the most beautiful place in the world!!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=68844&id=502781955&l=0b42f

Do feel free to write to me if you need any info...

Gopal Kishore

[Jerry]

what about the advanced course at DMAS/ABVIMAS Manali. Anybody knows
if it is any good? Any information/forum on how good the advanced
mountaineering course at DMAS is, is appreciated.

Please advise.
Jerry

On Mar 11, 3:02 pm, gopal kishore <gopalk...@gmail.com> wrote:
> HI All,Would like to add my experience at HMI as it may help you guys,

> atleast those who are planning to go there.
>
> 1) in HMI. you will have to trek 40 KMs one way to reach the final base
> camp. After a training of 7-9 days, you will have to trek back the same
> route. We are looking at altitudes from 9000 FT ( Bakhim ) to 14500 ft (
> Final base camp ). and you will have to carry a backpack of almost 25 KG. So
> if you think you can prepare for this, then HMI is the best place to do your
> basic course. ( am planning to do my advance from NIM end of this year )  I
> did mine in Nov - Dec last year and it was the best experience of my life!
>
> 2) The training in HMI is better as they teach you the very basics while the
> focus in NIM is on technique. so, I would suggest learn the basics from HMI
> and advanced from NIM.
>
> 3) you can check the photos here. I think its the most beautiful place in
> the world!!!
>
> http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=68844&id=502781955&l=0b42f
> Do feel free to write to me if you need any info...
>
> Gopal Kishore
>

[Gopal Kishore]

Hi All,

so sorry about replying so late....

@ Abhilash,

My manager at Dell told me about this place and once I got to the website and saw the stuff they were offering I was hooked... I just had to do something to push my limits to the max and that too before I turned 24..  managed to do it just a few days after that.. :) and it was sooo worthwhile... if you dont experience the Himalayas, then you really dont know what you are missing out on... its AWESOME!!

@Sujai,

I already spoke to you on the phone... hope you are having fun doing your basic...

@Abhilash

10KM of walk with a 15KG backpack for 2 months should be more than  ideal. its your mental preparation that is more important... and if you have been trekking with CTC regularly, then you will have no problem... 

and being  28 is not a problem..  there was a guy who was 32 and he did very well... the fact that he was in good physical condition was a huge advantage ofcourse... 

@indira

I guess the age limit is 35.. but they are pretty flexible... they did mention that they took in a IAS person who was 45 years and he did well...  you can contact them at 

(91)(0354)-2254087 or 2254268 or 2254083

@jerry

I would go to DMAS for their Sking course... when there are other mountaineering institutes with better facilities... its good to go with them..

but DMAS perse is not bad... and its not as difficult as HMI or NIM...  ;)

 

you can contact me at 9 9 6 4 2 7 0 7 7 5  and I would be glad to help out... 

[Supriya]

sigh! Seems like girls arent too keen on this huh?

On 24 Apr, 05:02, Gopal Kishore <gopalk...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi All,so sorry about replying so late....

> > > > Karthik- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -