Local Seightseeing in Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

The accomplishment of the summit to the mighty Mt. Everest for the first time in history of mankind in the year of 1953 was an eye-opening path led by the legends Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. On the honor for Sherpa Tenzing Norgay the Government of India has built the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute for the ardent climbing enthusiasts to pursue further exploration. The passion of the avid mountaineers was the main cause of the creation of HMI. As a result, Tenzing Norgay was the first field training director of the institute.

The government of India took the initiative to promote mountaineering among the people. Thus, on 4th November in 1954, the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. You can see the foundation stone laid down in the entrance. Moreover, different climbing knots are also being placed with the stone. For instance, waterman knots, overhand knots, and triple bowline knots on the bight, etc. are the one.

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Exploring Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

Just after entering the main gate you can have a look at different stalls of souvenir shops. Specifically, these stalls sell regional crafts and gems along with a restaurant and tea parlor into the premises. The Institute has a good collection of historically significant photographs including some great mountaineering films. Thus it's a treat to watch. The adventure enthusiast will love the international standard outdoor artificial climbing wall that has a pavilion for spectators.

There is an auditorium hall named Jayal Hall after the first principal of the institute Mr. Narendra Dhar Jayal. The hall can accommodate 150 people. This is the main classroom for the students where they have the classes regarding mountaineering with demos, screening films about climbing, having specialized lectures by the instructors as well as all sorts of theoretical lessons are being taught here.

In addition, there is an ample stock of books with reference to mountaineering, traveling, flora faunas etc. Beside Jayal Hall there is a wall of international standard which is mean for climbing training of 50 by 20 feet. Apart from that there is an indoor wall and well properly constructed for the obstacle training for the trainees. Furthermore, the Gombu rock or known as Tenzing Rock situated in Lebong Cart Road for the practical training of the students.

Location of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

HMI is one of the premier mountaineering institutes in the world. The institute is located in Darjeeling district of West Bengal state. Perched above the Darjeeling Zoo at an altitude of 2,042 mt. HMI is one of the most visited places in the province.

The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Museum

A little walk towards the upward trail will lead to the HMI Museum. The museum has two parts. The lower section of the building is the main museum of HMI, where the Mt. Everest and Mt. Makalu museum is the upper section.

History of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Museum

The HMI museum is the oldest mountaineering museum in the country built in the year of 1957. Thus, the museum is bliss for the researchers of mountaineering. Although, it is open to the public but photography is prohibited inside the museum.

On the lower section of the museum you can have a look at the photo gallery mounted on the wall of Jawaharlal Nehru, Haren Mukherjee who was then Governor of West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Ch. Roy the first and then Chief Minister of West Bengal and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. Alongside, there is a help desk from where one has complete information about the museum.

What to see in HMI Museum

A relief model of Mt. Everest is been fixed in the lower section of the museum. Moreover, the principal peaks and the ranges are vivid and can be seen on the model. Downward the 'Equipment in Vogue' section boasts the equipments used in mountaineering. For example, Axe cum Hammer, apparels for climbing, boots, etc. You can have look at the Ice Axe of Major Narendra Jayal. On the other side of the wall there are showcases of different badges of the different expedition clubs and institutes like German Mountaineering Club, Swiss Alpine Club, Austria Alpine Club, Iranian Expedition Association, Western Himalayan Mountaineering Association of Manali and many more. The opposite section displays the wireless sets, headlamps, gas lamps, snow shovels, pit furnace, oxygen cylinders, compass and many other types of equipment necessary for climbing.

On the other hand, there is another section on boots, latches, water bottles, camp shoes. In back you can see a statue of Buddha or Vairo Chana regarded as the first Thayani Buddha by the Nepalese Buddhists. Alongside, there is a huge model of a Tibetan woman. This section describes the races, languages and regional and cultural customs of this part of the world.

Mt. Everest Section in the museum

Elevating to the upper section the first thing one can see is the life model of the mountaineers' chasm crossing the different ranges of Himalayas. There is a huge picture of Tenzing Norgay of summiting Mt. Everest. In the museum, you can see a spinning jenny model of New Zealand Mountaineering Institute. It was used by Sir Edmund Hillary and Geroge Mallory before their British expedition in the year of 1953. Apart from this, there is a model of the mountaineers crossing the huge glacial canyon. Afterward, you will be visiting the exhibits of 2009 Mt. Makalu expedition. The area displays the sleeping bags, altitude socks, caps, jackets, etc. as well as a model on a huge glass-top table. This model shows all the main peaks of the Himalayas. Starting from Nanda Devi, Trishul and including all the mountain ranges of Western, Central and Eastern Himalayas.

On the exhibitions of the Everest section, you can see the sequential attempts made by numerous climbers to the mighty Mt. Everest since 1852. In this section there is a brief summary of the dubious expedition of George Malory and Andrew Irvin who were eventually disappeared just before the summit point in the year of 1924.

Other attractions of HMI Museum

Just outside the premises there is a huge statue of Tenzing Norgay on the big rock waving flag. The statute was built for his honor on March 25th in the year 1997 by none the other his only companion on the historical summit of Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary.

For the honor of Nawang Gombu, there is a bust constructed in the year of 2017 on 24th April. He was the youngest Sherpa in the expedition of 1953. He managed to climb till 26,000 ft altitude with heavy load and later he subsequently conquered many other peaks.

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