How to prepare for a Basic Mountaineering Course? | NIM

If you want to do a Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) and have no idea where to start or want preparation tips then this video is just for you. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare yourself for the absolute adventure of your life. In this video, based on my personal experience at Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, I have shared information on the following topics:

00:00 - Intro
02:10 - About the Course and Course Schedule
04:10 - How much does the course cost?
04:23 - How to apply?
06:20 - Medical Form
07:43 - List of things provided by the institute
09:10 - List of things you need to carry
14:50 - Network Availability
15:20 - List of things you need to carry (continued)
18:00 - Reaching and returning from the Institute
19:40 - Food Arrangements
20:05 - Physical Fitness
24:54 - Certification and Grades
30:02 - Women's Special (Sports Bras and Periods)

Hope this helps....

Watch my journey during the 28 days of my Basic Mountaineering Course from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering:

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[rishabhpachchhao]

Hands down the best informative video I've seen so far about BMC! ...Thanks a lot!

[shivanidesai]

MAJOR APPRECIATE!
Especially the last section.
Takes a while to find videos that leave you with no questions at the end... this is one of them! Definitely will share it with friends who are thinking of applying to mountaineering courses :)

[MzyaS]

The subscription game is a scam how come u had such number of subscribers when u give million dollar information 🥹
Plzz plzz plzz don't stop making videos u are a gem, truly blessed to have u ma'am on utube
More n more power to u ma'am
Big big respect for all those efforts 🙇

[naveen]

Thanks Hemanshi for a highly informative video, which helped me prepare better and successfully complete my BMC in April 2021. I would like to add few more points based on my course experience. Request you to pin it to the top so that others can refer this.
1. My course happened during the pandemic so social distancing rules were strictly followed inside the institute and we were segregated into rooms instead of ropes for the first 14 days. Each room trained separately and was strictly supposed to have no contact with people from other rooms. We were allowed to mix up only on the 15th day after testing negative for three consequitive RT PCR tests, and then we were divided into ropes at Tel camp.
2. Coming to food, if you are a non vegetarian but dont eat mutton, then please opt for eggetarian option as chicken was served only for three days in the institute, where as for the rest of the time and in the mountains, it was only mutton and egg in non vegetarian. Saying this because the food carried to the mountains is rationed depending on the number of people so specifying before hand is highly recommended. You won't be allowed to switch to eggetarian later if you have earlier opted for Non vegetarian meals.
3. Please do not hide any symptom of illness or shortness of breath and immediately inform the instructors. We had a trainee whose oxygen saturation fell so low that he had to be evacuated on foot by 4 people from the Basecamp all the way to NIM in the middle of the night. This was very risky for everyone involved. Drink plenty of water and take slow, deep breaths.
4. Please carry only the things mentioned in the website as anything extra would mostly be unutilized and would take up valuable space in the bag. Also, please check thoroughly the equipment issued at the institute, including the jackets and shoes for size and fitting and get them exchanged as required as you do not want ill fitting clothing and underperforming equipment in the mountains when you need them the most.
5. Reiterating the importance of discipline and punctuality since they are of utmost importance. We had to fall in 10 mins before the specified time and any delay is not acceptable. For example, move at 7 AM strictly means you start walking at 7 AM, and not waking up or having breakfast at 7 AM. Everything should be finished before hand and your rucksack should be on your shoulders at 7 AM.
6. The dorms have good storage and charging facilities, so do not worry about your luggage or charging your electronics. We did have a multi socket extension board in every tent at Tekhla, but none in Tel Camp, Gujjar hut or Basecamp. Trek from Tel camp to Gujjar hut is going to be the longest and toughest so be mentally prepared to trek for atleast 9 hours that day. There are rest points every 2 hours to offload your rucksacks and strech yourselves a bit. Be prepared to be out of network coverage for 14 days straight.
7. Our course was cut short by 5 days due to the rising covid cases during the 2nd wave and impending lockdowns, but our training was complete nonetheless. We streched and pushed ourselves and completed all the required training within a reduced timespan, thanks to the wonderful instructors, and trekked from Basecamp all the way back to NIM in a single day. So yeah, be prepared for any eventualities.
8. Lastly, physical fitness is very important but mental toughness is paramount. I did come across situations where I couldnt carry on and almost gave up, but I persisted and finished it successfully. Dont get disheartened if you are unable to finish any activity. There are many avenues to make up for it. Rock craft, Snow craft, Ice craft, rope knots, discipline, punctuality, camaraderie and team work. These all together make up your grade. So focus on all of them. All the very best and live out the best 28 days of your life!

Pro Tip: Apart from the written exam, you will also have a rope knot test, which is timed. So whatever knots you learn, learn to tie them as quickly as possible.

If you need any further information, please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram. My handle is @torqueandtrails.

[dhruvdumbani]

This video is so helpful! I was so confused before watching this and now I literally have 0 questions! Thank you so much for making this video 🙌

[satyajitchakraborty]

You explained soooo well. Very detail information.
But you DEFINITELY SHOULD use the proper map of India. You may think it's a very tiny thing. But this is bloody essential. This is how narrative builds.

[sumitm_]

Thank you for providing such a detailed informative video regarding the Basic Mountaineering Course 😇

[neilchakr]

you explain better than my teachers.
I literally had no doubts after watching your video and I am now confident that i will perform well in the course.
Thanks a lot.

[ayushthakur]

Thanks diii ..🤗
I m a ncc cadet and got selected for Mt Everest expandation ..
I had many doubts regarding mountaineering course
But now I got my answers in single
again aapka tahee dil se shukriya😅😅

[AJAY-JASPAL]

i was also there in 2012.. And till today I have not forgotten those days ... This was the best time

[TheEnuguri]

Holy Molly, I was just hypnotised by your explanation. Loved your way of conveying the message. Now, I just want to take the course as soon as possible. Thanks a Lot.

All the very best for your next endeavours.

[sushilbhagat]

Thanks for giving perfect & complete details of BMC in single Video.... Its realy helpful for beginers.
Thank u

[swapnilvaghela]

Muchas grecias Hemanshi for kind words you put into video. Because it will help me and others out there who want to do course. All information you provided wilk help them alot during this course. Again thank you very much.

[Sandy]

Thanks Hemanshi. It is a very comprehensive and informative video.

[engineerspresents]

Perfect video.. i am just going to apply after watching this video.. perfect video👌
Only problem is the time waiting to do this course after registered.. two years 🤦‍♂️

[bsnsbsmsb]

April2020
I'm going for it❤️
Maza hi maza
Challenges hi challenges
If someone is coming in the same April mixed bmc course
Hit me up ❤️

[AwaraBackpacker]

Very Informative Video! Great Job Done! Beautiful to see the effort you've put to help. Thank you

[PriyankaDeshpande-fp]

You answered more to our second thoughts than common questions.. thank you so much.

[switip]

Hey, this video is so good and had all my doubts cleared like literally all, I suddenly feel more confident as i will be going in sep'22 for my course but that's through HMI and I guess they are quite similar. Thanks a lot, Hemanshi.

[akhisrivastava]

Yes the best video on the subject. You attracted so much ease with your friends that they showered grace in the form of fun strength and the best time one can have in life.thank you for your time and effort.