JUMHC

Established in 1966, Jadavpur University Mountaineering and Hiking Club is one of the many clubs in Jadavpur University[1], but it’s a club with a difference- it is the only student run mountaineering club in the country which is recognized by Indian Mountaineering Foundation. Now what is “Mountaineering”? Mountaineering or the sport of climbing mountains is simply one of the finest outdoor opportunities available to the lover of high altitude places. Mountain climbing is all about challenge and perseverance, about putting hands and feet onto rocks and ice and snow and finally reaching a summit. There, high above the world of cities and civilization, the climber can pause and look across a natural world ruled by nature and her raw beauty. Mountaineering unlike other sports doesn’t involve competing with others but one’s own self. It’s all about improvising one’s own self. The pleasures of mountaineering however, personal to individual and the extent to which one specializes must depend upon oneself, ones tastes and ambitions.

The club involves active participation of all its members. The annual programme includes a high altitude trek and an expedition in May-June, a fresher’s trek in October, a Rock Climbing Course in February and numerous other practices in the Mathaburu Hills (Purulia) and Susuni (Bankura). Along with the outdoor activities we also have the facility of practicing on an artificial wall inside our club premises and a 50ft artificial wall which was inaugurated last year at our Salt Lake campus. A few days back even a course on the artificial wall was organized and it turned out to be a grand success.

But there is much more behind mere data and statistics. This is a club where relationships are forged to remain forever. The line between the seniors and juniors members gradually fades as the juniors take shelter under the protective arms of the seniors. It is then an extended family, never to be broken. It is not just achieving feats which bring us together but a deep bonding with its roots as deep as the mountains. As we walk with rucksacks on our backs, nature soothes our tired minds and bodies with her tender touch- a feeling alien in the bustling metropolis. We learn, we share, we love, we respect as move on.

Our resources may be meagre, it may force us to deprive ourselves of the luxury of having porters or having cooked food at motels but our joys are unlimited. As we leave our campsite we are meticulous in collecting all waste materials as we have been taught to “leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories”. With limited resources at our disposal, we can take pride in tall claims, like having successfully summited Mt. Lion Peak (1978), Mt. Jogin 1,2,3[2] (1980), Mt. Koarang2 (1989), Mt. Koarang3 (1990), Mt. Koarang5(1991), Mt. Thelu(2003), Mt. Yunam(2012), Mt. Hanuman Tibba(2013), Mt. Menthoasa(2014), etc. There have been setbacks but it is not uncommon in such sports. On 28th July, 2006 three members of a five member team to the Mathaburu Hills lost their lives[3] in flash flood and others were injured. Authorities forced the closure of the club following this incident. A pall of gloom descended but the members put up a brave fight and our annual Rock Climbing Course was again started in the month of February, 2008 marking a momentous occasion in the history of our club. Wounds remain but life moves on. Many more laurels are yet to come as we move ahead with confidence, faith and determination. We look forward to meeting many friends in the coming years as we prepare ourselves for the golden jubilee celebrations of our club in 2016. Once again stating that “We Don't Say We Are The Best, But Our Actions Say So” we summon one and all to join us in our adventurous journey