Calling All Adventure Enthusiasts

The Indian Mountaineering Foundation invites nominations for series

of Awards in Climbing and Exploration.

IMF Climbing Awards 2014

Last date for submission 15th October, 2014

Photograph CreditAshok Dilwali

Excellence  in  Mountaineering  

Ins2tu2onal  Category

This team award is in recognition for outstanding achievement on a mountaineering expedition in the

Himalaya for expeditions which have been predominately government funded including Defence, Para Military Forces,

various Mountaineering Schools in India and similar organizations.

Excellence  in  Mountaineering                                  

Self  Supported  Category

This team award is in recognition for outstanding achievement on a mountaineering expedition in the

Himalaya for expeditions which are sponsored by various Mountaineering Clubs in India.

Outstanding              Exploratory  Trek

This team award is in recognition for conducting an outstanding exploratory trek in the Himalaya.

Award Categories

Objectives of IMF Climbing AwardsThe IMF would like to recognize exceptional climbing by Indian

mountaineering expeditions and outstanding exploratory treks on an annual basis. Through these Awards the IMF would like to encourage technical and alpine style climbing in mountaineering expeditions as

well as exploration across the Himalaya. Apart from excellence in climbing, award winners will need to score on areas like ethics,

ecology and effort on an expedition reinforcing that the journey is as important as getting to the destination.

Leadership and Execution : Based on the initial stated objectives what was the actual ground performance of the team when on the mountain in terms of managing logistics, route planning, team selection and safety as well as emergency management if required.

Level of Difficulty : The level of difficulty can be gauged by (a) Terrain includes total length of climbing pitch, length of the most difficult pitch, average pitch difficulty, hazards, features, exposure, commitment and boldness b) Technique which includes climbing style, technical challenges and their resolution, placements, anchors and rope-work and fixed rope and (c) Weather including climbing season, extreme or difficult weather events, snow, ice & rock conditions.

Level of Support: Was the climbing managed by the team itself or was it delegated/contracted to an agency? Number and role of Sherpas, guides, HAPs and LAPs employed.

Historical Perspective: Was there an element of novelty in terms of the team’s objective in terms of a first ascent, a new face or a new route which was attempted or a new region visited.

Demonstrable Ethical Conduct: This includes authentication of the climb including both direct & corroborative evidence, autonomy, declaration of conflict-of-interest, financial Integrity, leadership styles and evidence of social sensitivity towards the local communities including the welfare of the support teams. The success of expedition in terms of summiting will be considered but will not be the main criteria to decide the award.

Ecology and Conservation: Was the leave-no-trace principle followed in letter and spirit including minimal impact practices like the avoidance of use wood as fuel or recreational camp-fire being used and waste-management practices followed including cleaning of waste left by previous expeditions.

Expedition Reporting: The expedition report must be precise, accurate as well as include maps, coordinates and photographs.

Jury Criteria for Excellence in Mountaineeringand Outstanding Exploratory Trek

Award Details

Jury MembersThe IMF would be constituting a Jury for the Climbing Awards consisting

of leading mountaineer's to decide on the winners. The Chairman of the Jury would be a top tier expedition leader and members of the Jury would be known

Indian and International climbers.

Award

Each of the recipients of the Climbing Awards will receive a cash prize of Rs 40,000, an impressive souvenir, certificate with citation and expense reimbursement for the leader of the team to travel to Delhi to the IMF Campus to give a presentation on the expedition and accept the award.

Presenta2on  DateThe Awards will be presented on 8th November, 2014 on the occasion of IMF Day at the IMF Campus at New Delhi in the presence of all members of the IMF.

Date  for  Nomina2ons  for    2014  Awards

Nominations will be accepted for climbs in 2014 only and the last date for sending in nominations is 15th October 2014.

Date  for  Nomina2ons  for    2015  Awards

The   last   date   for   sending   in   nomina1ons   is   1st   August,   2015   and  expedi1ons   post   monsoon   2014   and   pre   monsoon   2015   will   be  considered  for  the  Awards.  

Nomina2on  Criteria These awards are for Indian Expeditions only.

Quality  of  Nomina2onsThe  Award’s  Jury  reserves  the  right  not  to  announce  an  award  winner  in  par1cular  category  if  the  nomina1ons  received  are  not  of  an  expected  level  in  terms  of  quality.  

The Directer, Indian Mountaineer Foundation 6, Benito Juarez Road, ‘Opp Anand Niketan, New Delhi – 110021 Email: director@indmount.org | www.indmount.org

A submission format will be developed and made available online to assist team’s in submitting their nomination. The submission format will take into account the following criteria:

Jury Criteria : Team Members are expected to elaborate on the seven points of evaluation as listed in the Jury Criteria.

Reporting Format : When referring to the region include map details, references of books previously covering the region and maps of the area.

Historical Details : Share details of of early climbers who have visited the region including early explorers to the area of the expedition with references.

Team Members: Share the climbing resume of each member on the team.

Reporting Key Details : Share report of the high points and peaks in the region of the expedition with details of the height as well as a map clearly showing with route which was used, camp’s established en-route, key physical features and details of team members who have made a contribution in different ways.

Photograph Selection : Sharing photographs is mandatory to articulate the route used and details of the summit if it was reached.

Submission Format

Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF)The Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) set up in 1958 under the Patronage of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the National Apex Body with objectives to organize, support and provide a base for expeditions for mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking at high altitudes and to promote, encourage, support and execute schemes for related adventure activities and environmental protection work in the Himalaya. Its building was inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1980.