Services — Indian Mountaineering Foundation

Weather forecast

IMF arranges weather forecast bulletins on All India Radio (AIR) and liaises with the Indian Air Force and other appropriate agencies for air and land search and rescue operations in case of accident and serious illness on the mountains.

Dormitory booking

IMF has three dormitories with a capacity to accommodate 12 persons in each. Users can book a stay in the IMF dormitory through the online portal. You must have a valid login and a completed profile.

Book dormitory →

Gear rental

Mountaineering equipment and clothing from IMF Gyan Stores may be issued to IMF-sponsored expeditions, liaison officers, IMF members on expeditions, club expeditions approved by IMF, and others as per priority. Equipment is booked on a first come, first served basis.

User login →

Expeditions & trekking

Apply for mountaineering expeditions and trekking permits through the IMF user portal. Build your team, upload documents, and track application status online.

Apply now →

Gear rental

Terms & conditions for gear rental

IMF is an Apex Body appointed by Government of India to organise, support and provide a base for Mountaineering Expeditions, Sport Climbing, Skiing, Trekking at High Altitudes and encourage, support and execute schemes for related adventure activities and environmental protection work.

Priority for issue of equipment

IMF Sponsored expeditions / Joint expeditions
LOs detailed by IMF with foreign expeditions
IMF Members on expeditions/trek not covered by (i) & (ii)
Expedition sponsored by mountaineering clubs to IMF (subject to expeditions/treks approved by IMF)
Any climbers/trekker recommended by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Home Affairs and Defence
Any Indian / Foreign Expeditions / Trekkers

General conditions

Expedition teams are expected to request the Director – IMF well in advance for their equipment requirements.
Equipment is booked on a first come, first served basis.
Travel Agency / Trekking Agency / Tour Operators or anyone with commercial interest in adventure sports will not be issued equipment from IMF.
Security deposit for the equipment will be made by Demand Draft / Bankers Cheque (BC) in favour of Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi and is refundable once the equipment is returned in good condition.
In case of loss/damage, full book price of the item will be recovered from the team/person or adjusted against the DD/BC.
No equipment will be changed by the user. Same items as per the brand, make, model and colour as issued will be returned.
Other than five zones, no Sport Climbing Equipment will be issued to any individual from IMF store.
Items must be checked for serviceable condition before taking them out of IMF Store. Once equipment is issued, IMF will not be responsible for any shortfall, loss or damage.
IMF is not responsible for any incident, accident, damage, loss or injury occurring due to improper use and mishandling of IMF equipment. IMF equipment is of standard make / UIAA Certified.
Amount towards maintenance expenses will be levied for wear & tear of camping equipment and for dry-cleaning of clothing items.

Courses

Mountaineering courses

Primarily there are four types of mountaineering courses:

Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) — 28 days; orientation in rock craft, ice craft, rope work, expedition planning, outdoor survival and camp craft. Age limit 18–35.
Advanced Mountaineering Course (AMC) — requires A grade in BMC; advanced techniques, peak climbing and leadership. Age limit 18–40.
Search And Rescue (SAR) — 15–21 days; emergencies, rescue procedures and evacuation systems.
Method of Instruction (MOI) — requires A grade in AMC; for those who wish to become climbing or outdoor instructors.

Recognised institutes

Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) Uttarkashi
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) Darjeeling
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) Manali
Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering (JIM) Pahalgam
Sonam Gyatso Mountaineering Institute (SGMI) Gangtok
Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure & Eco-Tourism (IHCAE) Chemchey
Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) Gulmarg
National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS) Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh

Sport climbing courses

Belayer's Course, Route Setters Course and Judges Course are organised periodically by the IMF and Zonal Committees. Training camps and courses are also conducted at the IMF Campus in New Delhi.

Wilderness first aid

IMF regularly organizes the WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid) through the Hanifl Centre Mussoorie. Watch the Events section of the website for details.

Network / Community

Affiliated clubs

IMF affiliates mountaineering-cum-adventure clubs/associations. Affiliation helps clubs organise, support and take part in mountaineering, skiing, sports climbing, trekking and related Himalayan outdoor activities.

Benefits of affiliation with IMF

Use IMF image and logo (indicate ‘Affiliate Club’ under the logo).
Participation in expeditions without paying any fees to IMF.
Issue of IMF Journal and newsletters.
Custom exemption to import adventure related equipment for its own use with an undertaking that such stores will not be sold.
Grant of 30 day special casual leave in a calendar year to club members who are Government employees undertaking IMF recognised adventure activity.
Equipment available for hire against security deposit.
Participation in activities organised/undertaken by various IMF Zonal Committees.
Concession of fees for IMF “Affiliate Membership”.
Concession on charges for stay in IMF dormitory and use of Climbing Wall.

Procedure of club affiliation

Clubs/associations are affiliated based on the following parameters:

Constitution of club with aim and objectives.
Proof of registration of club/association with registrar of societies.
Contact details of club.
List of members (minimum 10) and office bearers with contact details.
Details of major activities on mountaineering/trekking and others since inception.
One third of all club/association members are at least ‘Affiliate IMF members’.
Payment of annual service charges of Rs. 2000/-.

Apply through the user portal on this website. For registration queries, contact Mr. Satish Joshi (Mobile: 9654109797, satish.joshi@indmount.org).

Undertaking by club/association

It will not undertake any commercial/fund raising activity by using the name of IMF without prior approval.
It will forward the list of elected office bearers after every election held as per its constitution. Changes in contact details will be intimated to IMF immediately.
If it fails to pay the annual service charges within one year after the renewal date, the affiliation will be cancelled.
It will not undertake any anti-state activity and will be liable for termination of affiliation by IMF for the same.
For any legal dispute, the jurisdiction territory will be Delhi.
All information forwarded to IMF is correct to the best of their knowledge.

Register as a club · Login to apply for affiliation

Tour operators

Tour operator registration

It is the endeavour of IMF to provide quality services and memorable experience to all Indian and foreign teams organising expeditions in the Indian Himalaya. Tour Operators are registered with IMF based on the following parameters:

Proof relating to recognition of agency by central Govt or state Govt Tourism Department.
Contact details of proprietor(s) and agency.
Fee: Rs. 1,000/- as one-time registration fee and Rs. 15,000/- as annual service charges.

Benefits of registration with IMF

IMF recommends only registered tour operators to expeditions seeking IMF permission. Benefits include:

Use IMF image and logo (indicate ‘Registered’ under the logo).
Book a peak on behalf of the team(s).
Participation in expeditions by staff without paying any fees to IMF.
Issue of IMF Journal and newsletters.
Custom exemption to import adventure related equipment for its own use (with undertaking that such stores will not be sold).
Grant of 30 day special casual leave in a calendar year to Government employees undertaking IMF recognised adventure activity.
Equipment available for hire against security deposit.
Participation in activities organised/undertaken by various IMF Zonal Committees.
Concession of fees for IMF “Affiliate Membership”.
Discount on charges for IMF dormitory and climbing wall.

Undertaking by the agency

IMF will not be held responsible for any accident during the journey or conduct of adventure activity.
It will be liable for cancellation of registration for not paying annual fee for up to a year after the due date.
It will not undertake any anti-state activity.
It will adhere to all climbing rules and guidelines issued by IMF from time to time.
It has a qualified mountaineer in its management who has participated in mountaineering expeditions.
It has adequate stores like tents, hyperbaric chamber, oxygen cylinders and UIAA certified hardware equipment.
It will employ experienced guides as per IMF policy.
It will follow environment, safety and other guidelines laid down by IMF. If found wanting during surprise check or through feedback, the Agency shall be liable for IMF regulatory action.
For any legal dispute, the jurisdiction territory will be Delhi.

View registered tour operators · Register as a tour operator