Special ski course - By Dr. Chinmayee Thrishulamurthy
The first time I got to know about skiing in detail was when in 2008 I picked up a book which was withdrawn and on sale in Goa state library, 'Misadventures in a white desert' by Patrick Woodhead. It was about how three friends wanted to ski to the South pole. Only they missed their skis during transport! This book opened a new world to me about ice glaciers, crevasses and frost bite.Studies and work finally gave a break for my dream of doing the mountaineering courses.
Soon, I was a qualified mountaineer having done my basic and advance mountaineering course from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, but I was never keen on skiing. As I enrolled in a diploma in mountain medicine course from Six Sigma, Global Institute of Mountaineering, New Delhi, I got the opportunity to do this ski course. This course was specially arranged by Dr Pradeep Bharadwaj CEO & Medical Director, Six Sigma Healthcare, for a team of 18 medical volunteers, as an additional skill for high altitude medical services. His group has been instrumental in many high altitude services in Kedarnath, Amarnath and other high altitude areas serving up to 6000metres.
The course was in the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg under the leadership of Principal Col.JS Dhillon. Incidentally, Col.Dhillon is credited with having revived this institution ever since it had become defunct from the violence in the valley in the 90s and nurtured it to one of the best ski institutes in South East Asia. He is a decorated army officer with 3 Gallantry Awards. He has planned & executed expeditions to 8000M Peaks, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Shisha Pangma. He is the first and the only Indian to climb Mt. Kamet from both the west and east face. Other major peak to his credit is Mt. Saser Kangri, These apart he has climbed several smaller ones like Mt. Stok Kangri, Mt. Ladakhi, Mt. Manali, Mt. Chuka etc.
The course was mainly focused on learning the basics of skiing. Within the 7 days our trainers Mr. Sandy Regzin, Mr. Wasim Ahmad Wani and Mr. Gulshan Thakur who under the guidance of Col JS Dhillon imparted us a very clear theoretical and exemplary practical training in this short time. We had theory classes mainly on high altitude medical illnesses, medical rescue, avalanche and other disasters.
The trainers were exemplary, showing great interest in training us patiently. We were first taken on an acclimatization walk. Gulmarg is a snowy paradise on earth. It is indeed ‘Jannat’ more so for a mountaineer. Covered in white, dotted by the pine trees and wooden houses with sloping roofs covered by fresh snow - it looks straight out of a post card.
We were introduced to the equipment. All these original and expensive ski equipment manufactured in Chamonix were issued to us according to our height. We were also shown other types of skis like Nordic and cross country skis. We were taught how to wear our ski boots and skis. The next day we were on the snow field, and quickly learnt the tricks of moving on one leg and then both legs. The evening saw some beautiful snow fall which started becoming heavy as night fell.
Overnight, there was about 3 feet of fresh snow. While we were contemplating whether we would be able to ski, we saw the snow plowing machine come and prepare the snow. Important to mention is that our Indian army soldiers from the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) which is just opposite to our institute were navigating this snow even before the snow plough arrived. Phew!! Hats off to them.No wonder our soldiers operate on such difficult terrain, in extreme temperatures and hostile environments on a day to day basis for the safety of the rest of us. I couldn't stop thinking what adventure is.
A break from our regular life for us is just a day’s job for them. A big salute to the Indian army. After the snow was all levelled, we proceeded to the baby slope where beginner ski students hone their skill. Over the next few days, we learnt how to move up the slope using the side stepping technique, the snow plough technique, speed control, change direction, using lift to go up and then zoom down etc. This was the best as we need not struggle moving by side stepping all the way up. Why didn't they teach this before!! We were taught and made to practise how to change direction of movement by shifting the body weight and independent ski control. Few of us also tried the duck walk technique to move up the slope. Mountains are always places where thick friendships are born as also rekindle old ones! Let’s meet on the mountains is what we mountaineers say when waving good bye. And lo! I met one of my basic course batch mates Pankaj, who is now a full time trek guide after completing many courses in mountaineering and skiing. Where else do you meet mountaineers!! Hopefully I can ski down a mountain face like him someday! Mountains forge friendship, camaraderie and team work. Our team also constructed an igloo on the last day of our course! It involved a lot of team work and amidst heavy snow fall finally an igloo which could house 3- 5 of us became a reality. One of the things that these adventure course teaches us is team work and a never give up attitude. We didn't stop although the work became very tedious.
After the course was complete and the tests were taken, we were ready for the graduation ceremony. The advisor to the Hon’ble Lieutenant general of J &K Sri RR Bhatnagarji was the chief guest and we were given our certificate of completion. Finally, amidst heavy snowfall and a heavy heart we started our journey back to Srinagar waving goodbye to the institute, to Gulmarg and to the snow and ice. Even before I left Gulmarg I had a made a decision to come back next winter to do the other course and finally someday to do ski mountaineering!!
