The lure of Himalayas is irresistible for the mountaineers, as the Himalayas are the greatest range of mountains on earth, their beauty, vastness, fascination and mystery will always have an everlasting appeal for those who venture in this region.

The Himalayas, by humbling those that come to them with its magnitude and power, gratifying them with its splendour and beauty, testing their determination by glaciers and peaks, defying their spirit with their inviolate mysteries-enables man to acquire the qualities which only danger and nature in the raw can sharpen. Mountaineering accentuates and exercises the quality of self-reliance, leadership and discipline amongst adventure sports lovers. The conquest of Everest acted as a stimulus to Indian mountaineering and in 1954, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute at Darjeeling was established with the late major N.D. Jayal (Nandu) as its first principal. Since then other institutes have been set up at Uttarkashi in Uttaranchal and at Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

In addition to these three institutes, there are a number of small institutions and clubs all over India where short courses on rock climbing etc are available. Basic courses in mountaineering are devoted to theoretical training-consisting of lectures on high altitude physiology, history of mountaineering, mountain fauna and flora, geomorphology, geology, map reading and glaciology.

During the course, films on wildlife, mountaineering expeditions, and allied subjects are shown. The practical side is covered by treks where training on rock, snow and ice is given. This period culminates with a climb to a peak of 5,490m and 6,100m as part of the advanced course, expeditions are organised to peaks such as Kamet, Trisul, etc..

One widespread fallacy that constitutes an obstacle to the growth of climbing is the general impression that it is a very dangerous sport. It is true that climbing carrier with it certain risks and it is a fact that lives can be lost and have been lost in the mountains. Nevertheless, it is equally true that for an experienced climber who takes the normal precautions, the margin of risk is very much less than what popular imagination would seem to accord it.

Many climbing accidents occur because of inexperience people taking insufficient precautions. The potential for the advancement of Indian mountaineering in the future is great. As roads penetrate the Himalayas and bring the peaks ever closer to the plains, as the enthusiasm of the pioneers spreads to more and more people, it is difficult to believe that at least some part of the potential will not be realised.

While the equipment of a climber is of great importance, the individual equipment - both mental and physical fitness of the mountaineer, is of even greater importance. One slip or thoughtless action may turn the joy of the heights into the sorrow of the depths. Good judgment, constant care and teamwork are indispensable items in the climbers' outfit.

Getting to the Himalayas is difficult they are far away from most of the people and difficult to get go. A big obstacle is the expense. The actual time spent on the climbing is relatively a small proportion of the total time taken by the mountaineer to get to the mountain. It is an expedition with Sherpas carrying loads of equipment, such as tents, sleeping bags, cooking utensils etc. Of course, costs can be reduced if equipments can be hired and one organises climbs and tours through mountaineering clubs and societies.
Mountaineering In Ladakh, J&K:
The Suru and Zanskar valleys provide some of the more spectacular and difficult climbing in Ladakh. The Nun Kun Massif is one of the most frequent climbing areas of the region and is booked out for months ahead, sometimes years, by climbing expeditions. The approach to the twin peaks is from the Kargil-Padum Road, about 70-km south of Kargil. The main approach is either from Tangole or Gulmadong. Some expeditions have also approached from Parkutse along the Kangri Glacier. To reach the base camp for Kun it is for the climbers necessary to cross the Suru River.

Pir Panjal mountaineering range is situated south of the Himalayas. The vale of Kashmir is sandwiched between the Pir Panjals and the Himalayas. Similarly the Lahaul valley, north of Manali and south of Ladakh, is sandwiched between the two ranges.

Mountaineering In Manali, Himachal Pradesh:
The area around Manali presently forms the core of mountaineering in Himachal. The Beas Kund region and lower reaches of the Hanuman Tibba (5,930m), the Manali and Shitidhar peaks around the source of the river Beas, and the Deo Tibba (6,001m) area, are suggested for beginners with some experience.

Mountaineering In Garhwal & Kumaon Himalayas, Uttaranchal:
The Garhwal and Kumon region in the state of Uttaranchal not only constitutes a large part of the Himalayas, but also contains some of the most challenging peaks - Nanda Devi, Trisul, Dunagiri, Kamet, Chaukhamba, Nilkanth, Bandarpoonch, etc.

Mounatineering In Sikkim Himalayas:
The Sikkim Himalayas, the epitome of the world's mountains, encompass a wonderland, which for sheer beauty and magnificence remains unbeaten elsewhere in the globe. In the southwestern part of Sikkim, in the main Himalayan range, lies the majestic Kanchendzonga or Kanchenjunga, rising to a staggering height of 8,585 m (28,169 ft) above sea level. Beside this third largest peaks, other famous mountaineering peaks in Sikkim include - Kabru, Kirat Chulior Tent Peak (7,365 m) and Sinolchu (6,887 m).

Mountaineering In Nepal:
The Everest or Khumbu region is justifiably the most famous of all trekking and mountaineering regions of Nepal. Populated by Sherpas, the attractions of this area are the majestic mountains, the high mountain villages, the isolated monasteries, and the local peoples. This area includes the highest mountain in the world, Everest at 8,848m, and many of the world's 8,000m peaks such as Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makal.

Mounatineering In Tibet:
Even if Tibet is new to the mountaineering and adventure sport circuit, still if you like to explore the unexplored visit this cold desert land. Tibetan mountaineering associations have been issuing permits to foreign climbers for mount Everest and twenty other summits. The majority of these mountains are part of the high Himalayas between Everest and Shishapangma, though several other interesting 7,000m and 6,000 peaks have been opened on other regions of Tibet.

Mountaineering In Bhutan:
Just like Tibet, mountaineering in the Bhutanese Himalayas is a recent development . Bhutan is one of the most exclusive and rare destinations for any tourist. The unique culture, architecture, lofty snowcapped peaks, fortress like "Dzongs", Lamaist Buddhist traditions and its friendly people leave an everlasting impression on the visitor. Almost all the trekking and mountaineering expeditions in Bhutan range above 3,000m.

The call of the mountains is growing, and it will always be there if the basic character of mountains does not suffer a setback. Much harm can be done to the mountains if mountaineers and trekkers do not take adequate measures to preserve the ecological balance. Forests not only make mountains. The mountaineers and trekkers will do well in saving the green trees. Then the litter from the camps needs to be collected and properly dumped and destroyed. The wild life should not to be disturbed at all. These are some important codes of conduct, which the mountaineers should enforce strictly.