Expedition Application Process
RULES & REGULATIONS FOR FOREIGN EXPEDITIONISTS
Please refer to the step by step guide to Sign up and apply for expedition on IMF website. Download
Foreign Expeditions
(Foreign Users can also apply for Expedition using
offline method.Download the attached application form. Download
)
A foreign expedition team desirous of climbing a
peak or peaks in India, shall apply to the Indian Mountaineering
Foundation (IMF) on the prescribed application form along with
prescribed amount with regards to handling charges and Liaison Officer
fees minimum 90 days prior to the planned expedition. As soon as a
proposal is received from the expedition team, the IMF books the
peak(s) provisionally, subject to the availability on "first-come
first-serve basis" and informs the party accordingly. The IMF allots a
Registration Number to the expedition which must be quoted in all
future correspondence. The expedition team must indicate an
alternativepeakin their request while sending the proposal. Permission
from the Govt of India to climb is essential and the Indian
Mountaineering Foundation will take steps to obtain this permission on
receipt of application form with full particulars and documents. On
receipt of intimation of provisional booking from the IMF, the team
should send the full amount through bank transfers at the earliest.
IMF accepts applications for provisional booking of peaks up to three
years in advance. These applications may be made on line or through
Tour Operators listed with IMF along with 25% advance of the
prescribed handling charges. In case of cancellation, 25% of the
handling charges will be retained by the IMF. In case the expedition
is postponed up to one year, 10% of these charges would be retained by
the IMF. One per cent additional charges per month would be levied for
each month beyond one year. Besides, if the peak is booked two years
in advance from the date of actual climb, 25% additional advance would
be levied after one year. Delay in receipt of application, incomplete
applications, changes in planned peak/schedule/route as also
addition/substitution of members would cause a further delay of four
weeks in obtaining permission from the Govt of India. Peaks bookings
are valid for 30 to 45 days from Base Camp to Base Camp. The permit
will be granted to maximum up to 30 climbing members. Mountains
attracting more climbers than above will be given climbing permit with
a gap of 10 days. The team members should be educated and be prepared
to attempt the mountain alongside other expeditions. The IMF reserves
the right to cancel the allotment of peak/peaks at any time without
assigning any reason. In such cases, the handling charges shall be
refunded in full. The IMF also reserves the right to allot a
particular peak to more than one expedition in the same season. In
case an expedition desires to attempt additional peak/peaks in the
open area for which permission has not been obtained, requests for
such attempts can be made in writing to the Liaison Officer of the
expedition who may allow such an attempt, provided that the peak/
peaks is/are not being attempted by other expeditions. The handling
charges payable for such peak/peaks shall be 50% of the normal
charges. This amount will have to be paid to the IMF before the
expedition team returns to their country.
Route:
Expedition will follow the route approved by the IMF and NO deviation
is permissible except in an emergency and that too with prior written
approval of the Liaison Officer(LO).
Abandoning
the Expedition: Once the leader decides to abandon the expedition,
the entire team will return to Delhi along with the LO and inform
Director-IMF immediately.
Splitting of the
Expedition Team: Splitting of expedition team into two or more
sub-groups is NOT allowed for any purpose other than to climb the
summit in the form of ropes/sub-groups beyond the base camp.
Arms/Ammunition/Explosives are not to be carried:
Expedition parties will not carry arms/ammunition/explosives during
the expedition.
Walkie talkie Sets
Expeditions are advised to use hand-held walkie-talkie sets for inter-communication within the expedition ahead of the Base Camp. Walkie-talkie sets may be brought by expedition teams or obtained on hire from the IMF stores at nominal rates. Booking has to be done with IMF well in advance to avoid last minute disappointment.
Briefing and Debriefing
The leader of the expedition, representative of Tour Operator, if any, and LO shall report to the Director, IMF on arrival of team in India. The leader will furnish photocopies of team's passports with `X' mountaineering visas endorsed on them, details of custom's clearance, import of equipment, high altitude rations and trance-receiving equipment into India, insurance policies and other necessary details to the Director-IMF in the presence of the LO. On return from the expedition, the leader of the expedition, along with the LO and representative of the Tour Operator, if any will report to the Director-IMF or his authorised representative for de-briefing and for submitting the report. A form for submission of the report will be issued to the leader and the LO of the expedition before departure for the peak. It is emphasised that the foreign expedition teams must do their best about completion of all procedural requirements in order to proceed for the peak after its arrival in India.
Liaison Officer
Every foreign expedition will be required to be accompanied by an Indian LO appointed by the IMF. The LO will be treated as a member of the expedition and provided with the following equipment/clothing from IMF stores on payment of US$ 500 by the team:-
1. Climbing boots along with covers - 01 Pair 2. Crampons - 01 Pair3. Ice-axe - 01 no.
4. Windproof suit - 01 no.
5. Down jacket - 01 no.
6. Sleeping bag - 01 no.
7. Carry mat - 01 no.
8. Rucksack - 01 no.
9. Socks - 02 Pairs
10. Climbing harness - 01 no.
11. Head Gear - 01 no.
12. Gloves - 01 Pairs
13. Goggles - 01 no.
14. Two men tent - 01 no.
15. Safety helmet - 01 no.
16. Woolens - Vests, leggings, pullover, trousers and shirt
17. Other essential items.
The LO shall extend maximum possible assistance to the expedition team in custom clearance, making purchases, hiring of porters, mules/yaks, booking of accommodation on the way to the mountains, hiring of transport from Delhi to the road head and back, maintaining liaison with the local civil, military and para-military authorities.In case of death of any member/porter, LO will obtain death certificate from DC before leaving the mountain. He shall, however, not handle any cash nor undertake any financial transactions on behalf of the leader/expedition. TheLO may go to higher camps and even to the summit according to his or her experience and competence. All facilities with regards to boarding, lodging and transportation during road journey and on mountain will be provided to LO as being provided to team members. The pay and allowances of every LO is paid by their employers in India for the duration of the expedition and cost of reaching New Delhi and going back to his or her place of residence is not the liability of the expedition team. On termination of the expedition, the LO will submit a report online or on the form to be obtained from the IMF.
Import/ Export of Mountaineering Equipment
Equipment, non-consumable and consumable, imported by a party into India, shall be subject to the following conditions: 18 Equipment and non-consumable and consumable stores will be allowed temporarily free entry without customs duty subject to an undertaking being furnished by the leader of the expedition to the effect that the equipment and non-consumable stores will be re-exported out of India and that no part of it will be sold or otherwise disposed of in India, failing which customs duty will have to be paid by the expedition team.
Handling Charges
Handling charges at the following rates: will be applicable:|
Below 6500m |
US$ 500 for a team of two members and US$ 225 |
|
6501 to 7000m |
US$ 700 for a team of two members and US$ 325 |
|
7001 and above |
US$ 1000 for a team of two members and US$ 450 |
|
For trekking peaks |
US$ 200 for a team of two members and US$ 50 for each additional memberfor up to a maximum of fifteen members. |
Remarks:
Liaison Officer Equipment Hire charges US$ 500 in addition to the handling charges. Expeditions seeking to climb peaks located in the states of Uttarakhand and Sikkim may refer:Note:
Expeditions seeking to climb peaks located in the states of Uttarakhand and Sikkim may refer:20 Special Guidelines issued by the Uttarakhand Govt
21 Special Guidelines issued by the Sikkim Govt
Joint Expeditions
In accordance with the objectives of the IMF, joint mountaineering expeditions are encouraged to promote goodwill and better understanding amongst the countries. Any group of foreigners, their clubs/associations or their sponsors/organizers can apply to the IMF for a joint expedition to peaks in the Indian Himalaya. However, if they wish to join any specific Indian club/association for that particular expedition, they may ask that club to apply separately to the IMF to form part of that expedition. The overallleader of the expedition will be the Indian team leader while the foreign team leader will be the deputy leader. Charges for joint expeditions will be the same as for the other expeditions. Handling charges will be paid by the foreign component whereas the Indian component is exempted from such payment. A joint expedition shall also be accompanied by a LO appointed by the IMF.
Expeditions to Eastern Karakoram
For expeditions to the Karakoram region, the Govt of India has divided the region into three areas. Ten joint expeditions or purely Indian expeditions may be permitted each year, after acceptance of the application and clearance by the Govt of India. Details are as follows:
|
(a) |
Area `A' Six expeditions per year |
-Saser Kangri - I |
|
(b) |
Area `B Three expeditions per year - Unnamed peak (6010 M) |
-Mamostong Kangri,
Rimo Group of peaks ,Unnamed Peak (6010 M) |
|
(c) |
Area `C One expedition per year |
-Apsaras I, II, III |
A maximum of six foreigners and six Indians on each expedition to the East Karakoram region will be permitted. Minimum strength of such an expedition will be two each. The LO for joint expeditions to the Eastern Karakoram will be an Indian Army Officer.
Search & Rescue
In case of accident or death of an expedition member, the leader shall notify the LO who shall report this to the nearest police station and get in touch with the District Commissioner/Magistrate or the nearest Civil/Army/Police authorities for assistance. If any assistance is needed from the military or para - military forces, the LO shall arrange the same. If a helicopter is needed to search /rescue/evacuate an injured/ ill person, arrangements can be made for evacuation to the nearest hospital. Charges for helicopter rescue sorties, including the abortive ones due to bad weather, are to be paid at the prescribed govt rates for each helicopter sortie, depending upon the flight time, etc. The charges are to be borne by the expedition team.
Insurance of Team Members, Headmen & Porters
Members of the expedition must have insurance cover for accident risks
and ground/ helicopter search and rescue. A copy of the insurance
policy is required to be handed over to the IMF at the time of
briefing of the expedition in New Delhi. This insurance policy should
have a clause that in the event of an accident, all charges connected
with ground/helicopter search and rescue would be covered.
All expeditions/tour operators concerned would insure mountain guides, porters, HAP and cooks etc. supporting them, against accident for the entire duration of the expedition.
Penalty and Caution
Any member of an expedition/tour operators (if expedition organized through an agency), if found climbing or attempting to climb a peak without permit from IMF or violating the environment protection rules, shall be liable to be debarred from undertaking any mountaineering expedition in India for a period ranging from 02 to 05 years or a fine ranging from two to four times the amount of handling charges for the permit or both.In addition, they may be dealt with under the relevant laws.
The Leader/Tour Operator have to submit an undertaking for participation of Indian team members in the expedition as under:-
I hereby undertake that each Indian member participating in this expedition voluntarily and at his/her own risk. IMF would not be held responsible on any account, whatever, either by the organizer or the participants. All Indian members have adequate climbing experience in addition to high altitude treks and rock climbing experience.
Indian Expeditions
(Indian Users can also apply for Expedition using offline method.Download the attached application form. Download )This section contains the Guidelines for planning and conduct of expeditions, financial assistance admissible from IMF, Application for Expedition and the Expedition Report has to be submitted online As the expedition organiser we would encourage you to be fully aware and compliant with various conditions in regard to issue of the permit being issued by the IMF
Environment Guidelines
The Indian Mountaineering Foundation has established guidelines with a view to ensure that the Indian Himalaya is maintained well. It is imperative that expeditions do not find mountaineering gear and garbage at base camp and on the mountain, left by earlier expeditions. The IMF has laid down general and specific instructions for garbage and equipment management by an expedition..
General Instructions for Garbage Management:
All members as well as the support staff must be thoroughly briefed and trained adequately for them to be able to differentiate between Biodegradable and Nonbiodegradable waste and its mode of disposal
At altitudes in excess of the snow line, natural decomposition processes are slowed, thus the waste pollutes the mountain for many years. It should be a conscious effort to leave the camp-sites and trails cleaner than they were found.
Specific instructions related to Disposal of Waste on the Mountain:
Bio-degradable waste is a type of waste that can be broken down into
its base compounds by micro-organisms, air, moisture or soil in a
reasonable amount of time. It includes green waste, food, paper,
bio-degradable plastics, human waste etc. Bio-degradable waste is to
be suitably disposed only below the snow line.
At Base Camp a
deep Toilet hole must be dug in soil and all human excretion produced
must be dumped in it during the teams stay.
Bio-degradable
kitchen waste has to be deposited in a deep hole at base camp which is
to be covered at the end of the expedition.
Non-biodegradable
waste is a type of waste that cannot be broken down into its base
compounds by micro-organisms, air, moisture or soil. Unlike
biodegradable waste, nonbiodegradable waste remains stable
indefinitely. Because non-biodegradable waste cannot be broken down,
recycling is the only option. Non-biodegradable waste includes rubber,
Styrofoam, plastic, glass, metals etc.
Non-biodegradable waste is to be:
Collected in sacks and carried down from the camps to the road head.
Disposed
at or below the road head.
Must be disposed by submission to
vendors and other local garbage collectors in the area or as directed
by local authorities.
Specific instructions related to Mountaineering Equipment:
All ropes and technical climbing equipment must be retrieved and
carried back except in the cases where safety is likely to be
compromised. Non compliance of this instruction must be supported by
reasons in the expedition report.
All tents, bivouac material
and other permanent camp stores should not be left behind on the
mountain.
Instructions for Compliance of Environment Guidelines:
Photo Evidence- pertaining to garbage disposal and equipment
retrieval must be included in the expedition report.
Teams
observing noncompliance of IMF guidelines by earlier expeditions are
requested to present photographic evidence to IMF.
IMF
representatives are being deployed to conduct random checks on
expeditions on the mountains and collect evidence of any violations of
IMF guidelines.
Safety Guidelines
Disclaimer: Safety advisory section as stated below is not intended to contain comprehensive material but rather serve asimportant basic points which have evolved over the years from previous expeditions.
|
Subject |
Advisory Details |
|
Planning |
Choice of the climbing objective must be a function of expertise, experience, technical |
|
Insurance |
Additional clause for altitude and exposure related physiological conditions (Frost Bite, Hypothermia, HAPE,and HACEetc.) should preferably be included in the scope of insurance or covered through a separate 'Medi claim' policy. |
|
Gear Check |
Use quality gears particularly the high dependence items such as: ropes (inspection, palpation and aging), runners and slings, carabiners, harness and helmets. It is recommended that safety helmets and inter camp communication equipment Is carried and used by team members |
|
Medical Experience |
The team leader should obtain a medical fitness certificate for undertaking the expedition from each member. The team should preferably include a doctor or paramedic. |
|
Medical Courses |
Expedition Leader and Member's are advised to participate in Training program titled Emergency Responder First Aid for Wilderness. Program schedule is available on IMF website |
|
Weather |
Do a pre-climb mountain weather check but remember to do a day-to-day corroboration with visual inspection as Himalaya are notorious for sudden development of un-expected severe micro weather systems and also consult a local guide . |
Additional Information for Leader
1. Qualifications for Leader: Should be above 25 years of age and qualified inadvance mountaineering course from a recognized Institute. Should have participated in at least two expeditions to peaks above 6,400m and reached the summit of at least one peak above 6,400m.2.Qualifications & Composition of Team: The team including the Leader should have 50% of members qualified on Advance Mountaineering Course with experience of expeditions. Out of the remaining, upto two members with high altitude trekking, rock climbing and related experience and others qualified on basic mountaineering courses may be included. The team finally selected should be capable of dealing with all possible contingencies.
3. Equipment Hiring from IMF: Equipment would be available for hire against security deposit and would be subject toavailability.
4. Boarding/Lodging at IMF: Dormitory for 30 persons is available at IMF on first-come firstserve basis.
5. Working hours at IMF: 10am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday except - holidays and secondSaturdays.
6. Booking of Peaks: Would be done on first come first serve basis. A delay in submission of applicationand documents could result in cancellation of the provisional booking of the peak.
7. Duration of Expedition: Peak(s) bookings are valid for 30 to 45 days from Base Camp to Base Camp. The permit will be granted for the same duration to maximum up to 30 to 35 climbing members. The mountains attracting more climbers than above will be given climbing permit with the gap of 10 days. The team members should be educated and be prepared to attempt the mountain alongside other expeditions.
8. Report and certificate: The IMF will issue the "Climb Certificate" only after the receipt of expedition report. Prior to the issue of "Climb Certificate", IMF may review the report through IMF Expedition Report Verification Committee. In case of any irregularity in the report, suitable regulatory action will be taken against the expedition.
9. Member in a Team: All expeditions, including joint expeditions, will have a maximum twelve and minimum two climbing members. Expeditions will not be allowed to take trekking parties, film crews or others as additional members.
10. Any member of an expedition/tour operators (if expedition organized through an agency), found climbing or attempting to climb a peak without permit from IMF or violating the environment protection rules, shall be liable to be debarred from undertaking any mountaineering expedition in India for a period ranging from 02 to 05 years. In addition, they may be dealt with, under the relevant laws. For any accident due to negligence on the mountain, Leader shall be held accountable and debarred from participating in mountaineering expeditions for a period ranging from 02 to 05 years.
Expedition Reporting Guidelines
Leader is required to forward Expedition report to IMF within two months of first summit attempt. The guidelines for filling the report are available on IMF website.|
1. |
Route with Itinerary (Beyond and up to base Camp) year |
Attach GPS reading, showing date of climbing, time of climbing, height and location i.e. latitude and longitude |
|
2. |
Summit Attempts (Brief description enclosing photographic proofs) |
Attach photograph and video of Panoramic view of the area from the top of the peak Attach clear pictures and video of members on top of the summit for successful expedition and highest point reached for other expedition |
|
3. |
Have you left the mountain clean and brought back all the garbage as per laid down environment guidelines |
|
|
4. |
Note on local culture, flora and fauna |
|