Snow Climbing In India

Snow Climbing, as the term indicates, is the activity of ascending inclined ice formations. There is not much of difference in the techniques that are required for snow climbing and rock climbing. However, anchors and holds are not acquirable, so it have to be made by the climber themselves with screws, pistons, snow wedges etc. Secondly, a climber has only three limbs at his disposal instead of four on the rocks because one hand is always engaged by the Ice Axe. The holds are also not very strong and firm as on rocks. The Snow climbing field is also comparatively different due to severe cold, crevasses and high altitude problems. Therefore, it is always advised that only a skillful climber should take up this venture. Snow Climbing, as the term indicates, is the activity of ascending inclined ice formations. Usually, though, snow climbing refers to roped and protected climbing of features such as snowfalls, frozen waterfalls, and cliffs and rock slabs covered with ice refrozen from flows of water. Snow climbing in India is an essential part of all mountaineering expeditions in Himalayas. Due to the technical nature of this adventure sport, snow climbing in India is not taken up separately or in exclusivity, rather its a part of mountaineering expeditions in India.

Snow Climbing Regions And Places In India

Snow climbing is an important part of the mountaineering courses conducted in India by various Mountaineering institutes like Nehru Institute Of Mountaineering at Uttarkashi, HMI at Darjeeling and other institutes established by government of India in the Himalayas to promote mountaineering and other mountain sports.

Desirable regions for snow climbing:

Open peaks in Jammu and Kashmir
Open peaks in Himachal Pradesh
Open peaks in Garhwal
Open peaks in Sikkim
Open peaks in Kumaon

Essentials/ Gears For Snow Climbing

Ice shoes/Boots

Ropes - Two 8.5mm half-double ropes, treated with color is the essential.

Ice tools – Pick Axe, Adze,one hammer model.

Rack

Pack

Crampons

Helmet

Headlamp

Cordelette

One mark of a skillful snow climber is the ability to go downhill efficiently and confidently. Many otherwise competent and aggressive climbers blanch at the prospect of going forward down a steep snow gully. You can minimize those downhill jitters by mastering a few descent techniques.