NUNWAN, PAHALGAM, JAMMU & KASHMIR PAHALGAM SANASAR BHADERWAH SHEY (LADAKH) COURSE REPORT BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE SERIAL No.99 FROM 01 APR 2013 TO 26 APR 2013
Tel FAX: 01936-243129 Mob: 9419045194, 9906967820 JAWAHAR INSTITUTE OF MOUNTAINEERING & WINTER SPORTS, NUNWAN, PAHALGAM JAMMU-KASHMIR-192126 JIM/CR/2013-14/ Jun 2013 Dy. Inspector General of Police CRPF Srinagar (South-J&K) Sir, COURSE REPORT BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE SR.NO. 99 FOR CRPF PERSONNEL 1. A copy of General Course Report of Basic Mountaineering Course serial No. 99 conducted by this Institute for CRPF personnel sponsored by Dy. Inspector General of Police, CRPF, Srinagar, South J&K and some private students w.e.f 01 Apr 2013 to 26 Apr 2013 at Pahalgam is enclosed herewith for your information and necessary action please. 2. Kindly ack. Yours Sincerely Encl: As stated (Virinder Singh) Colonel Principal (JIM & WS) Copy to: 1. Joint Secretary (G/Air), D (HMI), R.No. 225, South Block Ministry of Defence, New Delhi-11 2. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-11 3. Shri. Atal Dulloo, IAS, Commissioner/ Secretary Tourism, Govt. of J&K, Civil Secretariat Srinagar J&K-190009 4. DFA, Defence Finance, Room No. 11-B, South Block, New Delhi-11 5. Institute Library.
INSTITUTE: VENUE: REPORT ON: GENERAL COURSE REPORT BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE SR NO.-99 FROM 01 APR 2013 TO 26 APR 2013 JAWAHAR INSTITUTE OF MOUNTAINEERING & WINTER SPORTS (JIM & WS) PAHALGAM PAHALGAM COURSE SERIAL NO: BMC- 99 BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE DURATION OF COURSE: 01 APR 2013 to 26 APR 2013 (26 Days) GENERAL 1. Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM & WS) is a joint venture between Ministry of Defence, Government of India and Department of Tourism Govt. of J&K. Headquarter of the Institute is located at Nunwan, Pahalgam and sub centres at Bhaderwah (Doda), Sanasar (near Patnitop), Shey (Leh) and one adhoc sub centre at Gulmarg for skiing courses. Over the last 30 years, the Institute has excelled in different adventure activities like Mountaineering, Skiing, Paragliding, Rescue, water rafting, short term Special adventure courses and Mountain & Tourist Guide courses. INTRODUCTION 2. 20 CRPF personnels sponsored by Dy Inspector General of Police, CRPF, Srinagar, South J&K and 37 private students from different states of India reported to JIM & WS, Pahalgam on 31 March 2013 to attend Basic Mountaineering Course Serial No. 99. The Scheduled training of these 57 students commenced on the next day morning. All the students completed the training successfully with desired levels of standard. Nominal roll of Students is enclosed as Appendix A. GROUP PHOTOGRAPH
2 AIM 3. To impart theoretical and practical training on all aspects of activities in Mountainous Area & High Altitude including rock and ice craft to students. 4. To train the students to survive in mountains / survival camps and to take part in high altitude trekking, expeditions and rescue missions in mountainous terrain of India & abroad. STANDARDS TO BE ACHIEVED 5. The competence levels expected from students upon completion of the course are as follows:- (a) Students should be able to effectively utilize technical skills during high altitude trekking and expeditions in all kinds of ranges in India. (b) Students should be able to effectively become part of a team as an active member and lead climber during rescue missions in high altitude area. OBJECTIVES 6. (a) Carryout rescue missions in any eventuality in mountains, at accidental sites and during natural calamities and carryout Expeditions in all kinds of ranges in India and abroad (b) Impart training on technical aspects of mountaineering. (c) Hone mountaineering skills of CRPF Personnel. (d) Create environmental awareness amongst the CRPF Personnel. (e) Promote adventure activities in the state.
OPENING ADDRESS 3 7. Opening address was given on the first day by Col Virinder Singh, Principal, JIM & WS, Students were introduced to well known history of the esteemed institute. They were explained about expectations from them, administration of the Institute and safety and security measures to be observed around Camp. Students were told the duration of course, test and grading system as well as the phases of the course going to be conducted in various training area of the Institute. CONDUCT OF TRAINING OPENING ADDRESS BY COL VIRINDER SINGH, PRINCIPAL, JIM & WS 8. The students were trained in Acclimatization walk, Introduction to mountaineering equipment, Rope knots, Rock climbing, Rappelling, Treks to different picturesque and historical places around the area, Tent pitching, Tyrolean traverse, River crossing, Rescue from river and accidental site, Rope fixing & base making, avalanche rescue, Navigation in mountains and Glaciated terrains.
4 9. Training for the course started with rock craft for initial 15 days. This was followed by ice craft at Chandanwari Glacier. A copy of training programme is enclosed as Appendix B. 10. Details of aspects covered during the training are enunciated in subsequent paras. ACCLIMATIZATION 11. As the location of the training Camp Pahalgam is at approx 7500 ft, initial period was utilized to achieve Physical fitness and mental robustness. Acclimatization marches of 1.5 to 3 kms around the place were conducted during first 2 days which was accompanied by mountain physical training. Students were made to run for long distance (7-8kms) at one stretch to increase their endurance after the six days of acclimatization. At the end of this schedule students achieved the desired standards of fitness required to survive in hilly terrain. ACCLIMATIZATION WALK PHYSICAL EXERICSE
5 TECHNICAL TRAINING 12. Keeping in consideration the geographical area of J&K state, training was provided in basic skills of rock craft, administration in mountainous terrain & introduction and use of mountaineering equipment in rescue missions/ operations at accidental sites and during natural calamities in mountainous terrain and Expeditions. At the culmination of this training, students could identify and narrate the uses of mountaineering equipment and their skillful application in mountainous area. Details of rock craft and other adventure activities conducted are as follows. (a) ROCK CRAFT 15 periods were allotted to impart instructions in basic skills of mountaineering including pitch climbing, fixed rope climbing, Jummaring, free climbing and rappelling. The students were exposed to various types of rock surfaces around Pahalgam. ROCK CLIMBING RAPPELLING JUMMARING
6 (b) ICE CRAFT 10 days were allotted to impart instructional & practical training in basic skills of ice craft including base making, ice craft, avalanche rescue, navigation in mountains and Glaciated terrains. The students were taken to Chandanwari glacier for the latter half of the course. ICE CRAFT TRAINING (c) RIVER CROSSING & CASULATY EVACUATION Students were provided fundamental knowledge in the form of lecture cum demonstration on methods of negotiating fast flowing streams and nallas in mountainous areas and casualty evacuation followed by practicing it in groups. RIVER CROSSING CASULATY EVACUATION
7 (d) HIGH ALTITUDE TREK Students were trained in trekking around Pahalgam. They got familiarized with the equipment needed while going on long treks. They were taken to experience and complete long treks with 18 kg load around the area like Aru, Chandanwari, Baisaran & Betab valley. The students were taken to the height of approximately 10,500 ft during this phase of training. TREK TO CHANDANWARI TREK TO BAISARAN (e) TENT PITCHING Students were demonstrated the methods of tent pitching and use of survival camps in the jungles and mountainous terrain while on missions in adverse natural / manmade calamities. TENT PITCHING
(f) LECTURES /PRESENTATIONS 8 The following aspects of adventure activities and related subjects were covered in great details in the form of lecture cum Power point presentations and movies concerning mountaineering as mentioned below: (1) Introduction to mountaineering & Ice Equipment. (2) Mountain Terminology. (3) Hazards in Mountain and Snow bound area. (4) Dos and Don ts of mountaineering. (5) Load carrying and Marching in Mountains (6) Avalanche & Avalanche Rescue. (7) First Aid & CPR. (8) High altitude illness / cold injuries and its preventive measures. (9) Introduction to Glacier INTRODUCTION TO MOUNT. EQUIPMEMT MOUNTAIN TERMINOLOGY FIRST AID & CPR BY CAPT P K SINGH MEDICAL OFFICER, JIM & WS HAZARDS IN MOUNTAINS & SNOW BOUND AREA
(g) ENDURANCE RUN 9 Team practiced running for long distances with backpack load of 18 kgs which helped them to attain the desired standard of physical endurance required during rescue operations. Students showed marked improvement in endurance and they excelled in the final endurance run of 8.5 kms conducted by the institute. Mr Amit Kumar, a private student from Haryana in boys and Ms Risha Tyagi,a private girl student from Pune (Maharashtra) in girls secured the endurance awards of the course. (h) GAMES ENDURANCE RUN COMPETITION COL VIRINDER SINGH, PRINCIPAL, JIM & WS PRESENTING ENDURANCE AWARD TO MS RISHA TYAGI Students were encouraged to take interest to participate in games like volley ball, badminton and cricket. Through discussions with the instructors,they also got familiarized with adventure sports like skiing, paragliding, water rafting and Para jumping. Students showed keen desire to undergo training at the institute for the adventure sports in near future. Movies on adventure sports like skiing & parajumping were run in the auditorium for the students. ENJOYING GAMES
10 ADMINISTRATION 13. One dedicated officer in charge of the institute with well experienced and trained instructors and other kitchen staff were provided by the institute who accompanied and looked after the students round the clock. ACCOMMODATION 14. The accommodation facility at Pahalgam was made in the Institute Hostel. During Ice Craft training students camped on Chandanwari Glacier in tents. INSTITUTE, PAHALGAM TRAINING CAMP CHANDANWARI FOOD 15. The students were provided with hygienic and palatable food during the training period with additional energy supplements like fruits, dry fruits, chocolates, juices etc. ENJOYING SUMPTUOUS FOOD
11 EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING 16. Keeping in view the harsh conditions and cold and rainy weather during the course, the students were provided with quality equipment and clothing gear for training purpose. EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING ISSUED BY JIM & WS MEDICAL COVER 17. Dedicated medical officer and Nursing Assistant of the institute provided medical support to the participants through out the course duration. Different first aid kits were prepared for trek, rock area and travelling. The students were educated about the mountain hazards, illnesses of the mountainous and high altitude area with its treatment modalities. Different techniques of casualty evacuation in relation to rescue from accidental sites and difficult mountain terrain were demonstrated to and practiced by the students. MEDICAL CHECKUP BY CAPT P K SINGH, MEDICAL OFFICER, JIM & WS
ASSESSMENT 12 18. The students were assessed of their performance in the course in the form of tests on both Rock craft & Ice craft (written, oral & practical) taken by the Instructors of the institute. The students excelled in the test taken by securing good marks and grading. Mr Sukrit Gupta, a private student from Dehradun, Uttarakhand secured both best in technique and best student awards of the course. WRITTEN TEST COL VIRINDER SINGH, PRINCIPAL, JIM & WS PRESENTING AWARDS TO MR SUKRIT GUPTA 19. A copy of marks sheet is enclosed as Appendix C. GRADUATION CEREMONY 20. The students presented a colourful cultural programme after completion of scheduled training. Beautiful events like singing, dancing and mimicry were presented by the participants. Col Virinder Singh, Principal praised the students for their excellent performance. The event was followed by the distribution of the course batches & prizes to all the participants. COL VIRINDER SINGH, PRINCIPAL, JIM & WS PRAISING THE STUDENTS COL VIRINDER SINGH, PRINCIPAL, JIM & WS PRESENTING PRIZE TO HC SATWANT SINGH OF A/18 BN CRPF, KULGAM
OBSERVATION 13 21. (a) The students showed marked interest in learning and adopting the skills of Mountaineering. (b) The students learned, practiced and adopted the Expedition techniques taught to them during the course. (c) The students improved a lot in their physical as well as mental capabilities. (d) The students excelled in the final test taken by the institute to access their performance. (e) The students showed keen interest in training in adventure sports at JIM & WS. RECOMMENDATIONS 22. (a) It is recommended that more CRPF Personnel be sent to JIM & WS for Basic, Advance Mountaineering course and Method of instruction courses as well as other adventure courses like Paragliding, White water rafting & Skiing. (b) Directorate General of CRPF and JIM & WS should form a strong bond to successfully conquer higher peaks in India and abroad in the coming future to pursue the good cause of promoting adventure in Indian youth. FEEDBACK 23. The Photocopies of some of the feedbacks received from the students are enclosed as Appendix D, reflecting the goal achieved as per the opinion of students.
14 CONCLUSION 24. During basic mountaineering course, training was imparted to make the participants confident of living in mountainous terrain and to be technically proficient as trained mountaineers. They were also exposed to High Altitude Area giving them a life time experience. Special efforts were made to practice forming mountain rescue teams in natural calamities / disasters. The performance of the participants validates the fact that desired standards of exposure and training in mountain techniques were achieved. Yours Sincerely Encl: As stated (Virinder Singh) Colonel Principal (JIM & WS) Copy to: 1. Joint Secretary (G/Air), D (HMI), R.No. 225, South Block Ministry of Defence, New Delhi-11 2. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-11 3. Shri. Atal Dulloo, IAS, Commissioner/ Secretary Tourism, Govt. of J&K, Civil Secretariat Srinagar J&K-190009 4. DFA, Defence Finance, Room No. 11-B, South Block, New Delhi-11 5. Institute Library.