Frienship Expedition(Trainees)

FROM DEOMALI TO THE HIMALAYAS – EARN YOUR PLACE ON "FRIENDSHIP PEAK"

This programme is designed for aspiring mountaineers who dream of climbing mountains and want to challenge themselves beyond their limits. The journey begins with a rigorous selection process comprising Physical Fitness Test, Medical Examination, and Personal Interview, followed by continuous assessment of discipline, determination, teamwork, behaviour and overall suitability for mountaineering.

1. Candidates who qualify will undergo an intensive 7-day high-altitude training programme at Deomali, Koraput, where they will receive practical training in rock climbing, rappelling, rope knots and techniques, physical conditioning, teamwork, leadership, mountain safety and basic survival skills. Their performance will be continuously evaluated throughout the training, leading to the final selection of the expedition team. Only trainees who successfully meet the required physical, technical and mental standards will earn the opportunity to undertake the “Friendship Peak Expedition” in the Himalayas.

"Overview Of Friendship Peak"

A springboard for hardcore mountaineering, Friendship Peak runs in some influential circles. Nestled comfortably in between all the biggies from the two major ranges - Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar, Friendship Peak is an amphitheater for the tallest mountains in both these ranges. With a bird’s eye view of Manali from the col, to the mountain ranges in Lahaul from its peak; Friendship peak faces Hanuman Tibba on the one side and finds as its neighbours, giants such as Indrasan, Deo Tibba, Priyadarshani, the Seven Sisters to name a few. 

The Friendship Peak trek is more than just a pretty view from the top. Standing tall at 5289 M, it falls in the largest range of the Lesser Himalayas - the Pir Panjal. Apart from humbly standing its ground in the midst of the 6000ers, we especially are in awe of the trail of the trek which takes us through the most mesmerizing visuals. We encounter alpine meadows, thick forests and wide clearings, crossings over icy cold mountain streams - and of course a thick bed of shimmering white snow - all packed in 34 kms. It has stunning campsites full of local wildlife and bursts of colors, waiting to be wandered and explored.  Even the landscape buried under a thick sheet of snow is anything but wearisome to look at. 

Walking through glacial moraines, navigating our way around massive snow rocks, the unpredictable weather and the brutal slopes keep the journey exhilarating throughout. Friendship peak is not short of an expedition for its difficult terrain, harsh temperature and a continuously steep ascent from the time you set your first foot out the Summit Camp tent.  Each season on the peak is met with different kinds of challenges and hence, different visuals and a completely different experience. 

Although identified as a trekking peak by IMF, do not let the altitude of Friendship Peak deceive you. It is no less hard to please than the 6000ers in it vicinity and hence should only be attempted by experienced trekkers with a know-how of basic mountain skills and prior experience in high altitudes. From carrying your own load to a need for technical knowledge, the peak requires the acumen and grit of a mountaineer, its considerably lesser height helping you shift gears from trekking to mountaineering with ease.

The grueling climb requires learning new skills; using an ice-axe, pitching a tent in snow, roping up, working together as a team and even seemingly simple tasks like ‘walking’ - on snow, on a steep gradient, in shin-high, extremely heavy snow boots. With the constantly changing weather, we never know when we will be hit by our next snow storm, white-out or torrentuous rains - which makes the trek even more thrilling while also, adding to its level of difficulty.

The best months for this trek are May and June for a snow-covered peak and September and October for a predominantly rocky terrain.