About Us

The Nainital Mountaineering Club (NTMC) is a renowned non-profit organisation with a rich heritage, deeply rooted in the exploration of Himalayas. Established in Nainital on September 30th 1968 and inaugurated by then His Excellency the Governor of U.P Dr. B Gopala Reddy. The club is registered under Societies Act XXI of 1860 and is affiliated with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), New Delhi. 

The club is an organisation that provides a welcoming space for like-minded individuals to come together and share their love for mountains and push the boundaries of mountain exploration. over the years, NTMC has grown into a community of passionate climbers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all age group, with strong ties to the local community.

Nainital, a pearl in the necklace of the hill stations of India, is the home of the Nainital Mountaineering Club (NTMC). Our office is located in the heart of town in the iconic CRST Inter College Building. 

The Emblem of the club is, the twin peaks of Nanda Devi superscribed by an ice axe and encircled by a climbing rope with the name of the Club written around and the motto in Sanskrit written underneath. Our motto is “नास्त्युत्साहात् परं बलम्” or ‘THERE IS NO GREATER FORCE THAN ENTHUSIASM’.

The Colours of the club are blue, white and dark blue.

Our training area is at Bara Patthar, which is 2.5 kilometres from the club office (on the Nainital Kaladhungi Road), and is one of the best rock climbing training areas in the country. The club aims to popularize the sport of climbing, to motivate the youth towards the outdoors and adventure activities like trekking, rock climbing and mountaineering, birding, etc., to inculcate in them love for nature and outdoor living and to develop a spirit of enquiry. 

The Nainital Mountaineering Club (NTMC) has been instrumental in promoting, mountaineering, rock and sport climbing, disaster management training along with other adventure/outdoor activities amongst the youth since its inception in the year 1968.

Some of the achievements of the Club are as follows:

  1. Given rock climbing training to over 45,000 trainees and counting.
  2. Conducted 20 – day Search and Rescue courses for over 980 government officials and police personnel for the Government of Uttarakhand.
  3. On 16th October 1972, a team from NTMC under the leadership of Mr. Girish Chandra Sah and deputy leader Mr. Anup Sah (current President) completed the first Indian ascent of Mount Nandakhat (6611m). The team members comprised of Shri Swami Sundaranand ji (incharge photography), Mr. Ratan Singh, Lt. Jagdish Dhondiyal (Treasurer), Mr. Kausar Nazar Khan, Mr. Bhuwan Chandra Nainwal, Mr. Mohan Singh Bisht and Dr. Dwarika Prasad Pandey (medical officer).
  4. In 1974 The Nainital Mountaineering Club organized “The Indian Nanda Devi Sanctuary Recce-cum-climbing Scientific Expedition”.
  5. In 1990 a team from NTMC under the leadership of Col. J. C. Joshi (General Secretary) became the first Indian team to summit Mount Maiktoli from the South face. The team members comprised of Mr. Anit Sah (current General Secretary), Mr. Deepak Bisht, Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht and Mr. Anil Bisht. 
  6. In 1994, Traill’s Pass was crossed successfully after a gap of 53 years by a team from the Nainital Mountaineering Club (NTMC) under the able leadership of Mr. Anup Sah (current President).
  7. Apart from this the members of the club have successfully climbed many peaks and crossed numerous passes in the Himalaya.
  8. Conducted several treks and expeditions for schools, individuals and groups and in the Himalaya.
  9. The first phase of the inaugural edition of the Soul of Steel Challenge supported by the Indian Army in collaboration with CLAW Global which was formally launched by Hon. Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh was held at the NTMC Training area at Bara Patthar in Nainital.

The club has held several exhibitions relating to climbing and adventure, arranged hundreds of slide shows to attract youngsters towards nature and adventure, arranged nature walks and held several photography exhibitions, conducted bird watching lessons as well as tree and plant identification lessons. 

Support Our Mission

Our club is a registered not-for-profit organization under the Societies Act XXI of 1860, dedicated to empowering underprivileged children and communities through adventure sports and disaster management training.

Our Initiatives:

  • Rock Climbing Courses: Providing opportunities for underprivileged children to learn and engage in the sport of climbing.
  • Disaster Management Training: Equipping village communities with essential skills for disaster preparedness.
  • Sponsorship for Training: Supporting deserving members/candidates from mountain communities in mountaineering, skiing (water and snow), paragliding, and other adventure sports courses at government-run institutes.

Contact us to make a tax-deductable donation to the organization.

Expedition to Mount Baljuri in 2022 celebrating the the golden jubilee of twin ascent of Mount Nandakhat and Mount Baljuri in 1972 by Club members
Knots
Mountaineering
Mr C L Sah Thulgharia President NTMC and Col. J C Joshi General Secretary NTMC with eminent mountaineers of India at NIM
View of Nanda Devi East and Nanda Devi Main peaks from Traills Pass
Northern Sanctuary Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve 1974
NTMC team on Mount Nanda Khat 1972
Scrambling
The first phase of the Innaugral Soul of Steel challenge by CLAW Global was held at NTMC Training Area
The first phase of the Innaugral Soul of Steel challenge by CLAW Global was held at NTMC Training Area-One