I have always been fascinated with mountains as I was lucky enough be a domicile of Kullu the Dev Bhoomi of Himachal Pradesh. With early access to mountains, I started hiking early at 12 years and continued to hike the regional treks in Himachal. I continued hiking after college and during long 1p years of my corporate job with Tech Mahindra. I did most of the treks by hosting or organising them for some of my office friends and eventually we started a mountaineering club named Himalayan Drifters which eventually turned into Adventure Tour Company based from Kullu. I lead most of the groups myself which helps me enhance my knowledge of trails and terrains of Himalayas. I also worked as Trek Leader for other companies likes India Hikes after giving up my corporate job.
With more than 14 years of experience in hiking I have seen growing trend in High altitude hiking. Himalayas is the ultimate destination for all the hikers and climbers across the planet. Hiking or Trekking has seen a tremendous growth in past decade, so the requirement of Mountain guides has also increased. Numerous people have inclined and opted this different lifestyle and adventurous work culture in mountains. Life as mountain guide is disciplined and hard. Lot of people are fascinated by the adventurous lifestyle and ask me often ask me about the topic.
How to Start
I would recommend people to start with easy hikes and build up your endurance, stamina and knowledge of the Mountains, communications skills and crowd interaction are must. I would recommend atleast five or six high altitude treks before you apply for Basic Mountaineering Course which is the best way to become a certified mountaineer.
BMC – Basic Mountaineering Course
Its almost a month course offered by numerous Mountaineering institutions in Himalayas. Some of the most renowned are NIM, HMI, ABVIMAS and JIM.
I recommend interested people to prepare before joining the course by running for atleast 5 to 6 km everyday. Most trekking companies require this certification if you don’t have enough experience of high altitude treks.
AMC – Advance Mountaineering Course
I also recommend people for AMC course if you are able to get “A” grade. It’s almost similar course with more detailed and physical training about high altitude hiking and climbing.
First Aid Responder
This is another must course for Mountaineers which deals with Basic first aid response in case of medical emergency. Any major Hospital will provide this course with certification.
Work post BMC or AMC
In past years due to lack of regulations in adventure sports almost anymore was operating such treks without any certification or registration. But now BMC is regulated as must for operation high altitude treks. Getting job in Himalayas is also a challenge. You can work as freelancer or as full time employees depending on your employer.
Mountain Guide
This need great knowledge of the trails and routes of the commercial treks. So you experience on a particular tril in must for this profile. Major part of your job will be guiding trekkers and ‘sweep’ in case of any trekker is not able to continue to trek.
Payscale : You can earn anywhere 1000 to 1500 per day during treks as freelancer. Monthly salary averages between 10 to 15k.
Trek Leader
As a trek leader you have to manage the trek end to end. Making sure of the health of your trekkers, motivating them, medication if required. All majoy decisions about the trek and trekkers are TLs responsibilty. Good communication skills are must with good spoken English and regional languages as bonus.
Payscale: 25k to 35k per month if you are salaried and 2000 to 2500 per day as freelancer.
Climbing Guides
As climbing guide you job is to put up fixed ropes, guide climbers, help in load ferry and technical knowhow of climbing. You need years of experience of climbing and routes for such job profile.
Payscale: average of 3k to 5k depending on the experience of the guide. Such expeditions are easily expand from 12 to 20 days which can offer good paycheck.
Start Climbing Company
If you desire to start your own firm or climbing and Trekking company you can register your company. For more details on how to start a Trekking or Travel Company in Himalayas I will post on my next blog. See you tell then.
