Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, Uttaranchal is a premier Mountaineering Institute in India...  Different courses like Adventure, Basic, Advanced, Search n' Rescue, Method of Instruction are conducted here.

Caution: It is very crucial to understand that the course is only for those who are really passionate about the course & course should not to be seen as a cheap way to be in the Himalayas for 1 month. Otherwise, it can be very bitter experience.


Peak "Draupadi Ka Danda" (19,000") from Base Camp (12,600")

To give a basic idea @ the course, here is the rough schedule:
2 Days: Orientation, group formation, distribution of mountain gear, rucksack packing, mountaineering Videos each day
5-6 days: Rock craft at Tekla (2 hr trek each day), rope knots, bivouacking, laying of tents, map reading, climbing, rappelling, bouldering, anchoring, belaying, Artificial Wall Climbing
Approach March to Mountain: We went to Dokrani Bamak (Glacier), having beautiful peaks like Drupadee ka Danda & Jaunali. This area needs inner line permit, as it is near Tibet border.
1. Uttarkashi -> Bhukhi (on Gangotri road) Trek to Camp Tel Camp (Height: 8,200; Time: 4 hrs Trek)
2. Trek to Gujjar Hut (Height: 11,790, Time: 8 hrs) Most ppl find this trek difficult. Visit to Kheda Taal (Lake)
3. Load Ferry to Base camp (BC - Ht: 12,600; Time: 2 hrs Trek) Back to Gujjar Hut for acclimatization


Peak "Jaonaly" and Dokrani Bamak (Glacier) from Base Camp

4. Trek to Base camp
5 – 6. Ice Crafting in Dokrani Bamak (Glacier)
7. Load ferry to Advance Base Camp (ABC), back to Base camp

Untouched Snow field on Advanced Base Camp

8. Advance BC (Height: 13,600; Time: 3 hours)
9. Snow Craft
10. Height Gain
11. Closing of ABC, and return to BC


Evening at Advanced Base Camp (13,600")

12. Navigation Exercise, Written Test, Feedback, Quiz
13. Trek to Tel camp
14. Trek to Bhuki Road
15. NIM Graduation

There are literally "thousands" n' "thousands" of exciting things, which can be listed here…………. It's a completely different experience in itself. One learn a lot about mountain, mountaineering, nature, and life…

Leadership is…

Who you are when no one else is looking.

Knowing what you’re best at, what brings a light to your eyes, and what you most love to do – and then doing it.

Knowing how deep the place is from which life flows.

Connecting everyday to your deepest and most enduring values.

Doing whatever it takes to honor your word.

Doing whatever it takes to care for your family.

Doing whatever it takes to making a difference through your work.

Doing whatever it takes to give hope to the people around you.

Experiencing life not by looking in from the rim but front and center.

Excelling instead of competing.

No one has to lose for you to win.

Knowing when to come up for air.

Having an irrational sense of hope.

Learning from every stumble and setback. No blaming. No defensiveness.

Trusting enough to be trusted.

Having a curious mind.

Having a listening ear.

Having an open heart.

Knowing that you path has a purpose beyond where it leads.

Knowing that the biggest risk in life is not to risk at all.

Being fun to be around. The way you used to be when you had no money.

Knowing that home is where the great are small and the small are great.

Doing all you can to have the heart of a lion, the skin of a rhino, and the soul of an angel.

Living so that when other people think of integrity, enthusiasm, commitment, and caring they think of you.

The time is now.

The leader is you.

If not now, when?

Robert K. Cooper, Ph. D.

1.     Ghorwadeshwar:

Location: 3 kms from Dehu Road (towards Mumbai), on the old Mumbai – Pune Road. Begdewadi on the railway route

Desc: Old Buddhist caves (LeNee), converted into Shiv cave temple – 11 caves

Unique panorama of Purandar, Vajragad, Kanifnath, Sinhgad, Rajgad, Torna,

Lohgad, Visapur, Tung, Bhamchandra, Bhandara Dongar

2.     Bhamchandra:

Location: 18 kms from Chakan, 6 kms from Dehu

Desc: Old Buddhist caves (LeNee), converted into Shiv cave temple, beautiful rock face. Sant Tukaram Mandir 

3.     Durga Tekadi:

Location:  next to Appu Ghar, Nigdi

All time favourite for many joggers

4.     Bhandara Dongar:

Location: On Talegaon – Chakan road, 3 kms from Dehu. Road upto the top

Desc: Sant Tukaram mandir on the top, Old Buddhist caves (LeNee) at half height of the Dongar, converted into Shiv cave temple

5.     Kundeshwar:

Location: Pait, 18 kms from Rajgurunagar

Desc: Isolated, beautiful temple. Chaukoni Pani take – "Kund", hence "Kundeshwar"! Waterfalls in the Monsoons...

6.     Hinjawadi Tekdi:

Route: Sharp Tekdi behind Hijawadi Infotech Park, on the Mamurdi Road

Preferred season: Awesome in Monsoons! very dry in summers
Desc: I am referring to this Tekdi as "Hinjawadi Tekdi", as it's near Hinjawadi village. Don't know whether it has any local name…

From Hinjawadi gaon chawk, a road runs towards West to village Mamurdi. After approx 3-4 km, u can notice a prominent Tekdi, on the left hand side. As u reach near the tekdi, there is a school on Left. Park ur vehicle. It's a sharp triangular tekdi, with a platue on the right side. For going up to the Tekdi, follow the small col, then the platue, and very steep scree route to the top. Further, walk down the narrow ridge up to the interesting rock formation! Descend carefully.
U may visit a small dam "Kasarsai", if u continue traveling on the same road…..

Flora & Fauna: I have seen fox, deer, peacock, vultures on the top

Steep, full of scree, good views of आमचे मावळ!

Very unique panorama of Purandar, Vajragad, Kanifnath, Sinhad, Rajgad,

Torna, Lohgad, Visapur, Tung, Tikona, Ghorwadeshwar, Bhamchandra,

Bhandara Dongar.......

These are simple locations of our Sahyadri (not extraordinary like forts/ hill stations). It would rather unfair, if one expects too much to be offered at these locations! But, there is certainly something that pulls me n' I keep visiting these places again n' again!!!

Season: Oct – Feb

Difficulty: Moderate

Key highlights: Best views of Sinhgad – Rajgad, really a test for one’s patience n’ stamina…

Route: Sinhgad – Kalyan Dwar - spur going towards Rajgad - Vinzar pass – Sakhar gaon – Gunjawane – Chor Dwar route to Rajgad.

1. Begin the trek at 6 a.m. from Sinhgad (only then u may manage reaching Rajgad in 1 day…)

2. Go to Kalyan Dwar. Don’t follow route to Kalyan gaon. Keep traversing & reach the base of Zunzar Buruj. (15 min)

3. Follow the ridge towards Rajgad. Never take traverse. Always keep walking on the ridge, with ups n’ downs. There are some routes that further enter the valley below… (2 hrs) Great views of Sinhgad! If you are lucky n’ weather is clear, you may see Lohgad, Visapur, Tung from the ridge…

4. You will reach near a small peak – final in the range. Follow the traversing route. Vinzar is 700 m down in the valley. A Steep patch full of scree, kusale, karavi… quite tricky! Reach base (1 hr)

5. Further, walk to Vinzar village on Pune – Velhe road. (1 hr)

6. Ask for route to Sakhar gaon. You need to climb a hill range (50 m) & descend. Reach Sakhar, and then reach Gunjawane (2 hrs). This walk can be eliminated, if you get a vehicle to rescue you from the non – value addition part of trek…

7. From Gunjawane, follow regular Chor Dwar route to reach Rajgad (2 hrs)

Suggested extension: Trek to Torna

Caution: This trek can be very tricky. Very dry area, w/o any vegetation. Carry water. I have managed doing this trek in a day. But, it is really very tiring.

India: I.T. Sector competing with Traditional Businesses to attract Human Resources!!

Don’t confuse time with money...
Money with success...
Success with happiness...
Happiness with contribution to the world...

Robert K. Cooper, Ph.D.

Snaps of USA Trip

Orlando theme parks, NASA (Houston): http://community.webshots.com/user/sumitbelsare

New York:
http://community.webshots.com/user/sumitbelsare1

Niagara Falls, Atlantic City, Washington DC, New Orleans, Florida beaches:
http://community.webshots.com/user/sumitbelsare2

Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon:
http://community.webshots.com/user/sumitbelsare3