BMC 123
@
Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering ~ Sonamarg
@
1st - 28th Sept. 2016
........................................................................................................................................
When I started trekking just a couple of years back, that time I didn't know much about Mountaineering course... With the time as I met more new friends from different treks, I got to know more about this course... I was very Curious to stay for 1 month in the Mountains & learn different techniques!!! That's how I decided to go for BMC :)
Thankfully Ibrahimji, who got my confirmation for BMC, personally came for my pick up at the Airport & also arranged an accommodation for me in the house boat...
Indeed it was a dream like moment !!!
Roaming in & around the houseboat in the dark - I was enjoying a lot...
As it started getting dark somewhere I was feeling lil scary to stay alone in the houseboat... But Ibrahimji & the owner of the House-boat made me feel very Safe & Comfortable :) Any how I tried to sleep as I had to get up early in the morning, as it was safe travelling only in the early morning time, to avoid stone pelting...
Finally next day got up at 5 O'clock in the morning to start my journey towards Sonamarg... Initially Ibrahimji was supposed to come & drop me at the base camp, but when we came out of the boat one of his known taxi driver was waiting there for one of the passenger who was going to Sonamarg only...
So I joined the same taxi & surprisingly after some time when asked, that passenger from Kolkata, was also going for the BMC course!!! So for same destination started approx. 5.45 AM & reached safely to the Thajiwas Base Camp at about 7.30 AM, enjoying all the way, Beauty
of the nature...
I was feeling so Happy & Excited that I am going to live for 1 month in the midst of this Delightful Greenery & Alpine Mountains!!!
When entered in the camp site, most of the group mates were already there who came a day before... Everything was new n unknown for me - new people, new place, new things, new Hope!!!
I got my place in the girls big tent, got freshened up & had breakfast... It was a rest day as we all reached before the scheduled time... Whole day other candidates were coming... Till next day we were around a group of 100 out of which we were 27 girls!!!
Initially because of this Beautiful place & with a thought of Learning something new about the Mountains I was very Happy...
But then I realized it will not be too easy to stay here for a month as it was very strict n unpredictable behavior of Lady instructors & the way they set their rules - regulations & instructions for all of us, specially girls :(
Also not only lady instructors but from few other Admins, we were getting repetitive instructions that "If you have any issues or complaints, don't go directly to "this instructor or that instructor or Incharge, otherwise be ready for the Consequences!!!" This was hard to digest, but then I tried to convince myself with a thought that its their duty!!! They have to be strict to deal with this huge group & that too for a month!!!
Some where I was feeling like that I am in a Jail or I am caged!!! As I am very Less tolerant towards illogical things, Upfront & Straight forward - I started thinking today is just the 2nd day how will I be able to survive or tolerate all these - without saying anything for a month!!! It was next to impossible for my personality !!!
Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering Rocks :)
........................................................................................................................................
When I started trekking just a couple of years back, that time I didn't know much about Mountaineering course... With the time as I met more new friends from different treks, I got to know more about this course... I was very Curious to stay for 1 month in the Mountains & learn different techniques!!! That's how I decided to go for BMC :)
Generally
it takes 1 to 2 Years of Advance booking for this course as there are
very few Top ranked Govt. recognized institutes in India like NIM
(Uttarkashi), HMI (Darjeeling), JIM (Pahalgam) & few others... Tried
a lot for NIM & HMI but same thing - For next 2 years there were no chance to get the admission!!!
At last when confirmed about JIM just a week back (in Aug.) for Sept. 2016 batch, through one of my known gentleman - Ibrahim ji (Hotel owner, based in Pahalgam - same hotel where I stayed last year when I went for Amarnath yatra),
I got confirmation that I can join for Sept. batch!!! I was so excited
to go for BMC & that too in the Paradise - Kashmir, for a month!!!
It was like a dream :)
Finally the day came for a month journey in Kashmir... But it was very challenging to reach to Sonamarg (Base camp) due to worst situation
in the Kashmir!!! So, just to avoid the delay due to any unavoidable circumstances, I decided to reach to Srinagar 1 day
before (i.e. 30th Aug.) as reporting day was 31st Evening...
Thankfully Ibrahimji, who got my confirmation for BMC, personally came for my pick up at the Airport & also arranged an accommodation for me in the house boat...
Indeed it was a dream like moment !!!
Family of the houseboat owner was staying just behind this boat... For the dinner I was invited to their beautiful house :) Very nice people in the family with 2 lovely kids...
And in the evening I was roaming around on the top of the house boat with this lovely girl...
Amazing views all over with lots of Windy air !!!
As it started getting dark somewhere I was feeling lil scary to stay alone in the houseboat... But Ibrahimji & the owner of the House-boat made me feel very Safe & Comfortable :) Any how I tried to sleep as I had to get up early in the morning, as it was safe travelling only in the early morning time, to avoid stone pelting...
Finally next day got up at 5 O'clock in the morning to start my journey towards Sonamarg... Initially Ibrahimji was supposed to come & drop me at the base camp, but when we came out of the boat one of his known taxi driver was waiting there for one of the passenger who was going to Sonamarg only...
I was feeling so Happy & Excited that I am going to live for 1 month in the midst of this Delightful Greenery & Alpine Mountains!!!
Remote view of Thajiwas base camp |
Thajiwas Sanctuary |
Thajiwas Base camp |
I got my place in the girls big tent, got freshened up & had breakfast... It was a rest day as we all reached before the scheduled time... Whole day other candidates were coming... Till next day we were around a group of 100 out of which we were 27 girls!!!
Initially because of this Beautiful place & with a thought of Learning something new about the Mountains I was very Happy...
But then I realized it will not be too easy to stay here for a month as it was very strict n unpredictable behavior of Lady instructors & the way they set their rules - regulations & instructions for all of us, specially girls :(
Also not only lady instructors but from few other Admins, we were getting repetitive instructions that "If you have any issues or complaints, don't go directly to "this instructor or that instructor or Incharge, otherwise be ready for the Consequences!!!" This was hard to digest, but then I tried to convince myself with a thought that its their duty!!! They have to be strict to deal with this huge group & that too for a month!!!
Some where I was feeling like that I am in a Jail or I am caged!!! As I am very Less tolerant towards illogical things, Upfront & Straight forward - I started thinking today is just the 2nd day how will I be able to survive or tolerate all these - without saying anything for a month!!! It was next to impossible for my personality !!!
Infact for a moment I thought I should go back, but then I remembered very Inspiring & Beautiful line, "Before you give up, just think of the reason - Why you held on for so long!!!" And this line hold me & made me think that how difficult it was for me - to reach to this place, to convince my family, to get one month leave & what not!!!
That time only I decided I will have to be Tolerant to accomplish my Goal & Quiet as there were 27 girls from different different mind set!!!
One more thing bothered not only me but all of us that - 27 girls & only 1 toilet (There were 2 toilets but 1 was in very bad condition), that too far away & downstairs!!! To reach there we had to cross the fence & then long wait if its morning time... That's not all - after a week time we came to know that there is a danger of wild animal (Bear), it comes near the toilet area so after sunset we need to be careful... Things were not easy; but we were there to deal with this difficult situation & survival in the Mountains :)
In addition to make the situation more dramatic, there were few Rats who were giving company to all of us in the night to share our eatables ; specially dry fruits!!!
In addition to make the situation more dramatic, there were few Rats who were giving company to all of us in the night to share our eatables ; specially dry fruits!!!
All in all, initially it was very difficult & Challenging to survive under such environment, but then I found it more adventurous & also I tried my best just to ignore things so that I can concentrate only on my BMC course for which I was there !!!
And as truly said that, "Patience always Pays...", gradually everything went lil' smoothly... All the male instructors were very helpful, also lady instructors started behaving very friendly as the time goes on!!!
Anyhow I successfully completed my Basic Mountaineering Course & I got few very Good & Life time friends with whom I had more or less interaction - "A person will be remembered if he or she made you feel Special or Concerned at least for a while" - Punam (Bold & Pure hearted), Yogi (Gossip friend & Trustworthy), Raga (very sweet), Siddharth (very Responsible), Vijay (very Naughty), Swati (very Helpful), Chandan (very Simple n Sweet), Ajitem (very easy going), Ravi (less interaction but Friendly), Harshita (Stayed only for 10 days with us @ very less interaction but after coming back to home I found her very Concerned & Friendly) & Wg. Cdr. Vinayak Sharma - Senior officer from Indian Air Force (very much Concerned & now my Rakhi brother :)
Feeling blessed to have such a wonderful circle of friends :) & of course all other "123" mates with whom I had very less interaction, will always be remembered as a part of this memorable span of time spent in the midst of Breathtaking views & Mystic Mountains :)
Feeling blessed to have such a wonderful circle of friends :) & of course all other "123" mates with whom I had very less interaction, will always be remembered as a part of this memorable span of time spent in the midst of Breathtaking views & Mystic Mountains :)
Apart from the Training & Mountain knowledge, the most imp. thing I learnt is Patience & Tolerence :)
Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering Rocks :)
Daily dose :
6.00 AM - Tea
7.00 AM - Exercise
8.00 AM - Breakfast
9.00 AM - Training
1.30 PM - Lunch
3.00 PM - Lecture
5.00 PM - Play time
6.30 PM - Role call
7.00 PM - Cultural Program
7.30 PM - Dinner
9.30 PM - Lights off
Day wise Schedule :
Day 1 -Acclimatization walk
Registration
Introduction to Mountain Equipments by Mehfooz sir
Distribution of Uniform & Mountain Equipments
Market Visit
Acclimatization walk
The very first day - first task of the day # Fresh morning @ Beautiful place # Beginning of our 1 month journey # Excitement @ all 102 Warriors together :)
Introduction to Mountain Equipments by Mehfooz sir
Market Visit
Day 2
Running - PT
Demonstration on Rock Climbing
Training on Knots & Hitches by Ashok sir
Session on Ropes by Tamang sir
Medical Checkup
Running
First day of running # Green n greenery all over # Amazing Breathtaking views # Excited with just a thought - To run everyday in the Beautiful valley # but very less Stamina # decided to work hard on this for AMC :)
Training on Knots & Hitches by Ashok sir
Session on Rope by Tamang sir
Day 3
Running - PT
Training on Base Making, Rock Climbing & Rappelling
Session on Mountain Terminologies by Limbu sir
Training on Base Making, Rock Climbing & Rappelling
Day 4
Running - PT
Training on Rock Climbing & Rappelling
Session on Mountain Terminologies by Limbu sir
Training on Climbing
Session on Mountain Terminologies by Limbu sir
Day 5
Running - PT
Training on Rock Climbing & Rappelling
Session on Mountain Do's & Don'ts by Saima mam
Training on Rappelling
Day 6
Running - PT
Training on Zip Line
Session on Load Packing & Carrying by Sarjan sir
Training on Zip Line
Day 7
Running - PT
Training on River crossing
Chance to see Kannada film (Hebuli) shoot very closely in our Campus area
Session on Mountain Hazards by Jilani sir
Training on River crossing
Pics before shooting of the film Hebuli with the actress Amla
My Favourite selfie :) |
Day 8
Trek to Green Top
Opening Address (Introduction of Institution & different Courses) by Cap. Sen
Trek to Green Top
Trek to top n that too Green :) # Amazing experience of trekking in the valley of Kashmir :)
Trek to top n that too Green :) # Amazing experience of trekking in the valley of Kashmir :)
Day 9
Rest day
CPR (Cardio Pulmonary resuscitation) session by Cap. Sen
Day 10
Running -PT
Training on Rock Climbing & Rappelling
Practice of base making
Session on Avalanche by Tamag sir
Training on Rock Climbing & Rappelling
Day 11
Training on Pitch Climbing
No other activities due to raining
Day 12
No activities due to raining
Session on Glacier Ashok sir &
Session on Shelter by Mehfooz sir
Day 13
Survival in the Mountains
No other activities due to afternoon raining
Survival in the Mountains (Trek)
New
concept @ Survival with trekking # Loading all the stuff for Survival @
Food & Shelter # Amazing Experience with all the talented folks #
Innovative kind of temporary shelters # Enjoyment to the fullest...
Temporary shelter made up of Ponchos by girls |
Temporary shelter made by Group1 |
Temporary shelter made by Group 2 |
Temporary shelter made by Group 3 |
Survival successful !!! |
Training on Rock Climbing & Rappelling
Day 15
Running - PT
Training on Rock Climbing & Rappelling
Session on Tent Pitching by Sumi jaan
Session on Tent Pitching by Sumi jaan
Session in raining |
Day 16
Endurance test
Exam on Base Making, Rock Climbing & Rappelling
Market visit
Distribution of Snow & Ice Equipments
Day 17
Glacier Marching Techniques 10 point & 2 Point
Day 18
Base making session on Glacier
Practice of 10 point & 2 Point
Day 19
Trek to Happy Valley
Visit to HAWS (High Altitude Warfare School)
Trek to Happy Valley :
Visit to HAWS (High Altitude Warfare School)
Day 20
Glacier Marching Techniques - 3 point & 4 Point
Practice on Crevasse rescue & Base making
Practice on Crevasse rescue & Base making
Day 21
Endurance test
Glacier Marching practice
Day 22
Exam on 2 Point & 4 Point on Glacier
Session on Avalanche (Demo on AVD)
Session on Avalanche (Demo on AVD)
Avalanche session # Demo on Avalanche Rescue # Lots of fun :)
Day 23
Exam on Crevasse Rescue & Glacier base making
Endurance test
Exam on Base Making, Rock Climbing & Rappelling
Market visit
Distribution of Snow & Ice Equipments
Day 17
Glacier Marching Techniques 10 point & 2 Point
Day 18
Base making session on Glacier
Practice of 10 point & 2 Point
Base making session on Glacier
Practice of 10 point & 2 Point
Day 19
Trek to Happy Valley
Visit to HAWS (High Altitude Warfare School)
Trek to Happy Valley :
Started
very Happily # Beautiful views all over # lil difficult & tiring
trek # lil unhappy # experienced Sikri (Scree) on the way # still
overall Happy trek :)
Visit to HAWS (High Altitude Warfare School)
Day 20
Glacier Marching Techniques - 3 point & 4 Point
Practice on Crevasse rescue & Base making
Glacier Marching Techniques - 3 point & 4 Point
Practice on Crevasse rescue & Base making
Day 21
Endurance test
Glacier Marching practice
Day 22
Exam on 2 Point & 4 Point on Glacier
Session on Avalanche (Demo on AVD)
Exam on 2 Point
Exam on 4 Point
Avalanche session # Demo on Avalanche Rescue # Lots of fun :)
Day 23
Exam on Crevasse Rescue & Glacier base making
Exam on Crevasse Rescue & Glacier base making
Day 24
Endurance Exam
Endurance Exam
Time to use all the energy :) # Finale run
Time to use all the energy :) # Finale run
Day 25
Written Exam
Viva
Cultural Program
Written Exam
Exam tension # still enjoying as its in open nature :) # Loved it
Exam tension # still enjoying as its in open nature :) # Loved it
Day 26
Grand Ceremony by Army chief
Cultural Program & Prize distribution
Grand Ceremony by Army chief
Time for Grand Ceremony by Chief of the Army # Cultural Program by talented group of mates # Prize Distribution
Time for Grand Ceremony by Chief of the Army # Cultural Program by talented group of mates # Prize Distribution
Day 27
Return to Home
Woke up early in the morning @ 3.30 AM # Taxi picked up @ 4.30 AM # Reached safely to the Airport with the enjoyable company of Gujarat police group # Waited for good 7-8 hrs @ Airport Guest house # Reached Home by the evening # Sweet & Unforgettable Memories for Lifetime in the Mountains of Beautiful Valley of Kashmir :)
Special Thanks to Wg. Cdr. Vinayak Sharma (Sr. officer from Indian Air Force) to guide me for making this BMC blog more interactive!!!
Awesome write up Ana and good collection of pics as well. Thanks for capturing these moments of BMC123 in words as well as you did in yr pics. Cheera !!
ReplyDeleteHey Thanks a lot!!! May I know your name please!?
DeleteHey Ana, Very nice compilation of the entire course BMC 123. Very detailed. This brings back all the sweet and tough ���� memories. Amit Patel - Mumbai.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Amit :)
DeleteHats off Ana.. Very much inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThank u so much Sharath :)
Delete