BASIC MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR MOUNTAINEERING IN INDIA

( By Snique.in- specialists in Indian Adventure Tourism)

Mountaineering Standards in India

• Introduction• Requirement for Guides/Instructors• Equipments• SOP’s and operating instructions • Minimum Documentation Requirements• Risk Mitigation Measures• Emergencies and Rescues

Introduction

• Apply specifically to commercial expeditions for 6000m or above

• Guidelines are from Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF)

Requirement for Guides/Instructors

• Guides/Instructors are required to have:– Minimum 16 hour (2 day) first aid course from recognized

provider– Advance Mountaineering Course and Method of Instruction and

Search and Rescue course from any of National Mountaineering Institutes. Additional requirement is of having a certificate from IMF recognized body or Ministry of Tourism accredited tour operator. This certificate shall state that the persona has experience of 3 years in assisting mountaineering expeditions at altitudes of 6000m and above and is independently capable of guiding mountaineering groups and carrying out rescue operations.

– A log book of records of mountaineering expeditions.

Equipments

• Certified and approved by an international body such as CE or UIAA.

• Ropes:– sound knowledge of specifically designed rope,

including types and applications– safe working load of 25KN (2.5 tons) and CE

approval for ropes used in climbing.– Ropes from Indian manufacturers shall be avoided

if not certified.

• Hardware– Operators shall have complete and sound

knowledge of all climbing aids– a safe working load of 25KN (2.5 tons) and CE

approval is the internationally recognised standard for climbing hardware and devices

– Keep updated about latest global practices on global climbing and belay standards

SOP’s and operating instructions

• Maintain record for methodologies adopted for organizing expeditions:– Assessing qualification, medical condition and

experience of members– Procedures for getting permissions– Procedures for traveling to mountain– Procedure for maintaining base camp (hygiene,

high altitude sickness, safety, communication, emergencies, weather reports, casualty evacuation, reporting, feedback mechanism)

– Adequacy of guiding and porter staff and materials.

– Arrangements for medical help and emergency evacuation.

– Ads for promotion must tell about difficulties and dangers involved.

– Biographical information of guiding team.– Client shall be truthful about medical history,

experience and have relevant documentation.

Minimum Documentation Needed• Details of all Guides and Instructors

(certifications, experience and feedback)• Copies of all Permits and Permissions• Copies of identification documents, Insurance

cover and details of next of kin for all participants, guides and instructors

• Copy of SOP • Current list of emergency contact numbers• Copy of insurance document of the client with

Indian contact

Risk Mitigation Measures

• Prior medical examination of participants• At least 1 or 2 members have experience • Wireless sets• Radio receiving sets for weather updates• Ensuring that environment safeguards are

maintained during expedition

Emergencies and Rescues

• On-site availability of medical equipments• Prior identification of evacuation routes• Evacuation/emergency plans shall be on-hand

at base camp

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