NEWS
IMF Health Advisory, addressing the issue of outdoors travel in the context of raging COVID19 pandemic by Dr Anil Gurtoo :-
A) The Issue: As we watch the COVID story unfold in most unpredictable twists and turns, the question upper most in our minds is this:
What does it all mean to my mountain travel and activity plans for the coming season? To Go ? Or, Not to Go? That is the Question.
B) Thinking Through: Making a Decision:
1) When confronting a situation
marked by : Uncertainty and Rapid Change, I would adopt a Risk Based Approach .
2) I would ask the following 3 Questions:
If I were to go out to mountains then:
a)What all can go wrong? The full spectrum of all that can go wrong.
b)What is the Likelihood of it happening? The probabilities for each adverse event.
c)What will be the consequences should it materialise?
For example,if I catch COVID infection on the way, or from my team mate, I am more likely to suffer serious outcomes due to high altitude induced immunosuppression / I could infect the whole team and become stranded without any medical aid or possibility of rescue / I or my team could pass on the infection to already vulnerable mountain communities or the porters and trigger an epidemic in an already under resourced area.
The Likelihood of such a scenario materialising is pretty high at 60% or more. The Consequences would be truly tragic.
C) Based on answers you generate to those 3 aforementioned Questions, you create a Risk Level and then integrate it with following variables :-
1) The Risk Level.
2) Your Age and Pre-existing Medical Conditions ( risk of adverse outcomes increases with age and especially,if one has health issues like : Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart disease, Chronic Lung Disease, kidney or liver disease.)
3) Essentiality of your Travel.
So, given what we know as on 22nd March, 2020, I would recommend the following :-
1) Avoid All Non-Essential Mountain Travel and Activities for the next THREE months.
2) Reschedule all present plans to beyond a 3 month timeline.Keep tracking the evolving situation.
Be ready to for a No-Go should the situation again deteriorate after 3 months.
IMF IN THE TIMES OF CORONA VIRUS 2020
Dear Respected Members,
As the pandemic of Corona Virus rages on unabated, I take this opportunity to wish you and your families, good health and well being !
These are unprecedented times for our Nation and Countrymen, indeed for the human race the world over. As we fight this deadly onslaught on humanity, we have no option but to come out victorious. To my mind, ' Social distancing ' or should I say ' Social abstinence ' is key need of the hour and would be our best contribution as Citizens, to the ongoing National effort to combat Covid-19.
These are also very challenging times for the IMF. As you are well aware, all our activities, have come to a standstill. We have had to cancel some pre-planned mega events of the Foundation and postpone others, including our training activities, indefinitely. As of now, all Foreign Expeditions to India stand cancelled. Indian Expeditions too are in a deep freeze. Nevertheless, we are using this time gainfully for resolving some of our ongoing administrative issues, planning for the future and hopefully execution at a later stage, as and when it becomes feasible for us to undertake our mandated activities.
As things stand today, unless there is a drastic improvement in the present scenario, it is unlikely that we will be able to resume our activities, anytime in the near future. In this context, I would request you all to to read " IMF Mountaineering and Mountain Outdoor Activities Advisory 2020 ", which had been shared with all our members and is also posted on our Website.
I will also implore all our Committee Chairmen/ Chairperson, to gainfully utilise this time to interact with their respective Committee Members, using a multitude of existing social media tools available, such as Skype/Chorus/ Houseparty/ Zoom/ Whattsapp/ Uber Conference etc to prepare/plan/work/execute/ coordinate their respective Committee tasks, wherever and in whatever form and way, to the extent feasible !
I would also like to place on record the concerted effort being put in at this hour, by our Hony Secretary, Director and our entire IMF STAFF, in keeping the IMF functioning and alive, while working from their respective homes. Under the existing circumstances, they are working to the best of their ability, as presently the IMF complex is closed. For them too, it is a ' first ' such experience !
I would also like to thank our GC Members and Hony Treasurer, for their deep concern, unconditional support and constant inputs, in wake of the present situation.
I am also grateful to all our Esteemed Members, for your intrinsic support, which gives us the strength to look ahead with optimism. It will be our endeavour to do whatever is pragmatic and feasible by IMF at this juncture. Incase you have any suggestions in this regard, please do share with us !
I would also like to make a Special Mention of Dr Anil Gurtoo, our IMF Member, who is playing a key role and alongwith other Corona Warriors of the Nation, is in the forefront of fighting this pandemic.
Lastly, I would request all of you to Stay Safe and Take Care ! I will further request our Senior Members to be 'extra' careful !!!
I will end by sharing this quote of Charles Darwin, which I feel is very relevant to the current times :-
"It is not the strongest of the species which survives nor the the most responsive, but the one the most responsive to change "
Regards and Best Wishes,
Brigadier Ashok Abbey, AVSM
President
QRs FOR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP
1. Age - Minimum 30 years and Maximum 60 years.
2. Mountaineering Experience – Should have a minimum 10 years of mountaineering experience.
3. Should be of exemplary character.
4. The individual should not be involved in any unbecoming conduct or controversy and undesirable conduct.
5. Should be able to contribute to the Aims and Objectives of the Foundation.
DUE DATE FOR RECEIVING APPLICATIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP 15 OCTOBER, 2024. APPLICATIONS CAN BE SENT TO IMF BY POST OR THROUGH MAIL DIRECTOR@INDMOUNT.ORG
For application form click below to downloa pdf
CIVIL - MILITARY TREKKING EXPEDITION IN THE KAMENG REGION
(ARUNACHAL PRADESH)
Plesas download the PDF attached below for full details.
Apex NEWSLETTER 13
Please Download the pdf on the lower right to Read..
LIST OF OPEN PEAKS IN BORDER AREA
Please download the pdf attached below.
USE OF SATELLITE PHONES DURING EXPEDITION IN INDIA
It is for information of all that Satellite Phones provided by IMF during the expeditions will be strictly as per the guidelines issued by MHA letter No. II/21021/31/2017-IS-II/M dated 19th June 2018 and 26*h October 2018. Satellite Phone issued by IMF will be handled by the Liaison Officer detailed by IMF.
PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE ATTACHED PDF
2025 IFSC Asian YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS Boulder, Lead, Speed
Guiyang, China
20-24 August 2025
By 05 Aug 2025,
11:59 pm (UTC+0)
Registration
http://ifsc.results.info/users/login
19 August 2025, 3:00 PM –
5:00 PM, (UTC+8)
Confirmation of Attendance- Official Hotel
Address: tbc
•All Team Members shall confirm their participation to the
Event Delegate.
Late Arrival
•In case of late arrival please contact the Event Delegate
before 19 August 2025, 2:00 PM (UTC +8)
Registration Fee
•Registration Fee will be collected onsite in US Dollars
cashonly:
USD40 per athlete per discipline USD20 per official
Accreditation
Teams will be provided with their accreditation. Team
Managers are requested to collect the badges for their entire
team and distribute them accordingly
19 August 2025, 6:00 PM
(UTC+8)
Technical Meeting Official Hotel
For more details plese download the attached pdf below.
UTTARAKHAND CUP L E A D & S P E E D
09 - 10 AUGUST, 2025
UTTARKASHI, UTTARAKHAND
INDIAN MOUNTAINEERING FOUNDATION
in association with
NEHRU INSTITUTE OF MOUNTAINEERING
REGISTRATION
Link For Online Registration: Please click the Following link : https://forms.gle/if1jfvo7dKpLPL4h7
Pre-registration through online by 31 st July, 2025, 11:59 PM is mandatory.
There is a registration Fees of Rs.1000/- (One Thousand Rupees) for participation.
CATEGORIES & QUALIFYING AGE
Categories : Lead and Speed Climbing
(i) Seniors 2008 or earlier
(ii) U15 2011-2012
(iii) U13 2013-2014
For more details please download the pdf attached below.
QUALIFICATION SYSTEM – ASIAN GAMES AICHI-NAGOYA 2026
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF SPORT CLIMBING ASIAN COUNCIL (IFSC ASIA)
Updated as of 30th June 2025
Download the PDF attached below.
11 July 2025
Dear IFSC Asia Members
Good morning from Singapore. Hope all is well and fine.
Update on 2026 Asia Games in Aichi, Nagoya
Following updates are for your information and planning purpose:
1. Event Date
19 Sep to 4 Oct 2026. Dates for Sport Climbing tbc.
2. Athletes
All athletes will be required to go through a qualification system instead of being nominated by their respective NOC’s.
3. Events
Speed 4, Lead and Boulder. All will be on individual basis. Our appeal for Speed Relay was not approved by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
4. Athletes Quota
28 (14 male and 14 female) each for Boulder and Lead/ 34 for Speed (17 male and 17 female).
5. Qualification Events
To ensure that we have the best athletes for the Games, we will adopt the qualification system as follows:
a. IFSC World Championship Sep 2025 in Seoul Korea
Top 12 men and 12 women (4 boulder, 4 Lead and 4 Speed) with a cap of 2 per federation will qualify.
b. IFSC Asian Championship Mar 2026 in China
Top 20 men and 20 women ( 6 boulder, 6 Lead and 8 Speed) with a cap of 2 per federation will qualify. Those athletes from federation already qualified with maximum number from s/n a will no longer be considered.
c. IFSC Asian Cup (Lead & Speed) Apr 2026 in tbc
Top 9 men and 9 women ( 4 Lead and 5 Speed) with a cap of 2 per federation will qualify. Those athletes from federation already qualified with maximum number from s/n a and b will no longer be considered.
d. IFSC Asian Cup (Boulder) Apr 2026 in tbc
TOP 4 men and 4 women with a cap of 2 per federation will qualify. Those athletes from federation already qualified with maximum number from s/n a and b will no longer be considered.
Please refer to the attachment for the detailed information of the qualification system that have been approved by both the IFSC and OCA.
On this note, we would also like to extend our invitation for member federations who are keen to host the IFSC Asian Cup (S/n C and D). You can let us know of your interest for the Sport Department to follow-up with the application documents.
In the meantime, please feel free to email/whatsapp if you require any further clarifications. Thank you.
Best Regards
Rasip Isnin
Secretary-General
IFSC Asian Council
c/o 3, Stadium Drive
Singapore 397630
M: +6597390214
For more infor please download the pdf attached below.