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

IMF SPORT CLIMBING CALENDAR 2024 TO 2025

For breif please download the PDF attached below

Plweae visit the link below to visit NADA officeial website for further use.

https://nadaindia.yas.gov.in

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.

KOLKATA CUP YOUTH LEAD CLIMBING COMPETITION  2025

4-5 April 2025

FOR REGISTRATION

Link Online Registration: If you have already IMF Athlete ID, please click the below link

https://tinyurl.com/ycvfrcwc

If you are new to participating in Kolkata Cup (Youth Lead Climbing Competition) 2025, please refer to the link below.

https://forms.gle/o61pMsTosUesYE9dA and Form.

Pre-registration through online by 20 March, 2025, 11:59PM is mandatory forfinal registration at the venue. There is a registration fees of ` 1000/- (One Thousand Rupees) for participation.

CATEGORIES

(i) U-17 (Boys and Girls), Lead

(ii) U-19 (Boys and Girls), Lead

QUALIFYING AGE

(i) U-17 : • U-19 : 16 – 15 years (Born between 2009 – 2010)

(ii) 18 – 17 years (Born between 2007 – 2008)

For more details 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

PLEASE DOWNOAD THE PDF FILE ATTACHED BELOW.

Dear Sir / Madam,

1.       During the year 2025, IMF is planning to launch Self - Sponsored mountaineering expeditions in Indian Himalaya.

2.   Self  sponsored  expeditions  shall be organised strictly on  No Profit-No Loss basis for people who are suitably trained, skilled and have  reasonably sound  financial   resources but  are unable to  organise  expeditions themselves   or join good mountaineering expedition in India. 

3.   Expedition will be conducted in Alpine style and leader will be selected from amongst the team members.

4.   Composition of  Team:   Composition of such expeditions will ensure right mix of youth and experience.  The team  will have 50% well trained  and experienced mountaineers whereas 25% members may not have prior expedition experience but must be trained up to  Advance Mountaineering Course level in any mountaineering school in India or abroad. Remainder  25% of the members must be  at least Basic  Mountaineering Course  level trained and can be the administrative  support members in the expedition. It is  desirable that such members must have high altitude trekking/camping experience.

5.   IMF Role

      (a).   Good quality equipment (as required) shall be made available to participants through IMF stores for safe expedition.

      (b).   Certificate will be given on successful climb of the expedition.

6.       Desirous applicant may  forward the attached  application form  latest by 05th May 2025 through e.mail/post.

Col Madan Gurung (Retd.)

Director

For more download the attaehd pdf.​​​​​​​

Please download the pdf Attached below.