The Karnataka Mountaineering Association (Initially The Mysore Mountaineering Association) was founded by Mrs Usha Ramaiah (in pic) (maiden name : Usha Sarpeshkar) in March 1966. Being an enthusiastic guide she was drawn to the Himalayas for trekking & training as early as 1962. After completing her basic and advance mountaineering courses at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, in 1963 & 1964 respectively, she summitted Mt.Mriguthuni in the Garhwal Himalayas in 1964 as a member of the all Ladies Expedition organised by the Bharat Scouts and Guides, NHQ. New Delhi. She was the first lady from the state (then Mysore) to do so. In fact, this was the first Indian women’s expedition to the peak.

With this success, and sight set for greater heights, she approached late Sri.H.C.Sarin (the then Secretary HMI and Addl.Secy., MOD) and Sri.S.S.Khera, the then Chairman, Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi, for the formation of a Mountaineering Club in the State of Mysore (now Karnataka). They guided and helped her in her initiatives to form the club.

This encouragement got a fillip when Capt. Mohan S.Kohli, leader of the successful Indian Mount Everest Expedition 1965 and his team visited Bangalore during February 1966. They were here on an invitation from some colleges and the corporation of the City of Bangalore for a civic reception. Realising that the sport of Mountaineering had not taken root in the state despite the initiatives of Mrs.Usha Ramaiah, Captain Mohan S.Kohli invited her to accompany the team on their tour. He introduced her to the audience at every opportunity. This did create a buzz. Soon, she managed to bring together a few like-minded adventure lovers like Shri.Chikkapapaiah, Shri V.J.Pinto and Shri Kashinath to set the ball rolling.  Thus on the propitious day of the 6th of March 1966, a meeting was convened on the steps of Kanteerva Stadium, where the seed for the formation of the association was sown.

The first executive committee was formed with the appointment of  late Shri.K.A.Nettakalappa as the President, Shri P.I.Joseph, Shri K.Kashinath and Mrs Lalitha Krishnaswamy - Vice-Presidents, Shri Chikkapapaiah – Treasurer, Mrs.Usha Ramaiah - General Secretary and Shri A.Ramamurthy, Shri V.J.Pinto and Shri S.Selvarajan – Joint Secretaries. Thus was born the Mysore Mountaineering Association. This became the Karnataka Mountaineering Association in 1973 after the linguistic reorganisation of states happened. The first General Body Meeting of the association was held at the Bharat Scouts and Guides HQ on 24.4.1966 and on 8.5.1966 the Bye-laws of the association was approved and adopted.

Finally on 10th July 1966, Air Vice Marshal S.N.Goyal formally inaugurated the association. The function was presided by Shri J.B.Mallaradya, President, Mysore State Sports Council. At the kind courtesy of the President, the association functioned initially from the premises of the daily “Deccan Herald”. On 27.11.1966, the association was registered under the Mysore Societies Registration Act.