We, being the best service providers of Sikkim Mountaineering in India have carved a niche for ourselves in this arena. Mountaineering In Sikkim is a source of true adventure and excitement for the visitors to Sikkim. Snow covered mountains are the challenge for most of the mountaineers who are enthusiastic about exploration. Eye-catching beauty and pleasing atmosphere ok Sikkim makes it a desirous mountaineering destination. Sikkim Mountaineering Tour is a perfect destination for those who are really exploratory and adventurous.
Potential of Rock Climbing and mountaineering in Sikkim
Sikkim’s best tourism potential is its rich natural recourses. Sikkim has attracted many adventurer and botanist like Sir. Joseph Hooker and climber like Tenzing Norgay and Doug Scott who climbed Mt. Khanchendzonga. There are many such adventurer who have been attracted by Sikkim’s alluring natural beauty and its fascinating breath taking mountains and rock cliffs. These mountains and its base offers various opportunity for adventure activity, be it mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing, para gliding, trekking, caving etc.
Sikkim is also one of the most bio- diverse area in the world and a hot spot of eco tourism. If our natural resources is properly and sensibly utilized it can go a long way in promoting adventure activities/holidays in Sikkim resulting generation of employment to many and projecting Sikkim in World’s adventure map.
Rock Climbing as an Adventure Activity
Rock climbing is the premier step of mountaineering. Rock climbing itself is an most sought after adventure activity in the world. It is one if the adventure activity which a travelers peruses during his/her holiday. Rock climbing is one of the major attractions for an adventure holiday which helps boost the local economy through its professional practice. There are major National and International Rock climbing competition around the world and it is going to be included in the forth coming Olympic games. Nakhul Giri (Sikkim Mountaineering Association) and Satish Bardewa (TAAS) welcomes you all to the of rock climbing and an adventure world!
Basis of Rock Climbing
1. Planning the route and equipment
2. Three point contact
3. Keep the body away from the rock
4. Breathing
5. Don’t panic
6. Confidence and concentration
7. Never distract the climber
8. Proper coordination between the climber and belay man.
Basic Knots
1. Thumb knot
2. Figure of Eight
3. Clove hitch
4. Timber hitch
5. Sheet band (single /double)
6. Fisher man knot
7. Guide man knot
8. End man Knot
9. Bowline on the bite
10. Two loop artificial anchor
11. Three loop artificial anchor
12. Butter fly knot
Types of holds
1. Pinch Hold
2. Side hold
3. Undercut
4. Upper cut
5. Pressure hold
6. Friction hold (both by hands and foot)
7. Jam Hold
8. Grip Hold
9. Foot Hold
Some Names of Equipment used
1. Rope
I. Climbing
II. Rappelling
2. Carabiner (screw & plain)
3. Pitton (vertical and horizontal)
4. Figure of Eight
5. Rock hammer
6. PA boots
7. Seat harness
8. Power pouch
9. Sling
10. Helmet
11. Rappelling gloves
12. Nylon Tape
13. Choke nuts
14. Friends
15. Ascender (jumar)
Basic Rock Terminology
Climber: A person who does the lead climbing on a particular rock face/route.
Belay Man: A person who provides mental and physical safety to the climber.
Running Rope: The active rope which a climber uses during the climb.
Anchor: A point which is firmly secured by the base of the active rope.
Seat harness: A safety belt to secure a climber to the rope with the help of carabiner.
Carabiner: A safety pin which joins various devices such as safety belt and running rope or rope to the anchor etc.
Pittons: A metal pin meant to drive into rock cracks or face to make a anchor base.
Natural Anchor: A natural point which is firmly secured by the base of the active rope.
Artificial Anchor: A secured point made by the climber with the use of equipments.
Belay loose: A form of communication to alert the Belay man to loosen the belay rope.
Belay Tight: A form of communication to alert the Belay man to tighten the belay rope.
Fall: A sudden high pitch alert given by the climber to the belay man.
Belay Check: A form of caution given by the climber to the belay man.
Rapple: The fastest form of descending a rock face by using a rappelling rope and a carabiner or figure of eight.
Do's and Dont's
1. Never distract the climber by noise or any unuseful comment.
2. Never stand on rock cliff without safety.
3. Never step or sit on equipment.
4. Check the condition of the equipments before a climb.
5. Never use any uncertified/untested equipments.
6. Carry a thorough check up of your personal equipment before a climb.
7. Always follow the climbing guidelines.
8. Safety first
9. Do not litter the climbing area or deface any rock face.
10. Do not pluck or trample on vegetation around the rock area.
11. Bring any garbage back form the climbing area.
12. Never encourage a person to climb rock without skilled support and know how.
Equipment care and handling
Equipment is the life line of a climber. Proper handling and care of the equipments should be the top most priority. A through check up of every climbing equipment should be the exercise before every climb. Equal importance should be given on its storage and maintenance. Never use any equipment that is not certified or tested.
Some of the Major peaks of Sikkim
1. Mt. Khanchendzonga
2. Mt. Simvo
3. Tent Peak
4. Nepal Peak
5. Mt. Jopuno
6. Mt. Pandim
7. Mt. Siniolchu
8. Mt. Narshing
9. Mt. Kabru
10. Mt. Kabru Dome
11. Mt. Kabru South
12. Mt. Kabru Forked
13. Gocha Peak
14. Mt. Rathong
15. Mt. Khanchenghyao
16. Mt. Punari
17. Mt. Kumbarkarna
18. Mt. Gurudongmar
19. Mt. Kokthang
Trekking Peaks
1. Mt. Thingchinkhang
2. Mt. Jopuno
3. Mt. Lamo Andgen
4. Frey’s Peak
5. Brumkhangtse
