ROCK CLIMBING by NCC cadets of IIT Kanpur

Few of the NCC cadets got a chance to undergo a basic rock climbing course at Naini Tal. The course was conducted by the Naini Tal Mountaineering Club (NTMC). The entire schedule was coordinated by Lt.Col Dilip Routray, the Commanding Officer of the NCC Unit IIT Kanpur. The course was conducted in the month of May 2003. Participating in an adventure activity like Rock Climbing inculcates a sense of adventurism, develops the morale character of an individual, helps in honing the risk taking abilities of a person besides helping the all round development of basic human characteristics.

Against the vacancy of 35 students, the NCC unit was flooded with more than 90 applicants. The selected group of boys along with the NCC staff started for Naini Tal on May 3, 2003 and reached the next day at the designated hotel where accommodation was arranged for all. The course began on 5th May. The syllabus of the course included familiarization with various types of rock faces, various types of ropes and knots, rappelling down rock faces and various other types of technical and practical aspects of rock climbing. One entire day was devoted towards the techniques of crossing mountain streams and river/rivulets. Finally the course ended on 11th May. The next three days were spent in visiting Ranikhet and famous lakes of Nainital. The trip gave students an opportunity to study nature and get acquainted with the flora and fauna.

As a culmination to the entire programme, the students had a camp fire on 14th May 2003. Finally the students bid good-bye to the mountains on 15th May and headed to IIT Kanpur. The sweet memories of the course will always be a part and parcel of these cadets life.