Featured Traveller: Abishai Dmello

“The outdoors has been the place where I have spent most of my free time”, says Abishai Dmello, an avid traveller. He has completed his Basic Mountaineering Course from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering and has aced it. His love for travel and trekking takes him to various different places to explore Mother Nature. When asked about his love for travel here’s what he had to say:

Enroute to the Outdoor Rock climbing area, roughly a 5km walk from the institute

1. What inspired you to pursue the Basic Mountaineering Course from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering?

The outdoors has been the place where I have spent most of my free time. Trekking is one of the most common activities. I have always wanted to take my hobbies to the next level. That’s when I decided to look up for a certification course in mountaineering, and what better place to achieve this other than the prestigious Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.

Mountaineers ready with their backpacks for the third day of training at 6 am

2. Tell us a bit more about the Basic Mountaineering Course.

It’s an entry-level certification course for mountaineering which tries to impart to students the right attitude with which they should approach these marvels of mother earth. I would recommend it only to people who have some experience of staying overnight in the outdoors and have made up their mind that this is what they’d love to do. Aside from all this, they should also have a decent level of fitness. Everyone who has done the one month course has countless memories and experiences to be cherished for a lifetime.

The tents they stayed in for roughly about 10-12days
They had to wake up at 2-3 am to shake off the snow

3. What is your all-time favourite destination and why? 

I still have a lot to explore and travel around the world, but I believe that I have been blessed to be born and brought up in India. It is the one place with such diversity, not only in its culture but also in its outdoor life. No wonder we have visitors from all over the world. The one country that has it all from crystal clear waters of the Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands to the high mountains of the Himalayas and the breathtaking views of Leh. There is always something new to explore.

 The Artificial Rock Climbing practice wall at NIM

4. How did you prepare yourself for the Basic Mountaineering Course? 

I had read up online on the seriousness of the course much before time, hence planned my training in advance. My training mostly included some long runs, weight training with a rucksack filled with all the heavy books at home, some indoor rock climbing practice as well as stair climbing almost anytime (sometimes even during my lunch break at the office). However, living at sea level in Mumbai there isn’t much we can do to get used to the load (~ 20kg) or the altitude (enough to cause Acute Mountain Sickness) that we experience during the course. However, it’s always better to be prepared to the fullest. The better-prepared one is the more one would enjoy the course.

Enroute to the Outdoor Rock climbing area

5. So what are the adventures you wish to embark on?

I’d like to experience more than one new adventure every year. Since 2014 was the Year of the Mountains, 2015 could either be the Year of the Skies or the Seas or even bike tours in and around India.

At roughly 13-14k feet during their height gain

6. Tell us about your love for mountaineering.

This was told to us during our course by the course doctor. “Mountaineering is the only adventure activity which will not bring you happiness during the activity but afterwards” and I completely agree with the same. The challenges faced on each day while training will be different but the views from the summit and the memories connected with the journey are always one better than the other. As James Whittaker righty said, “You can never conquer the mountain. You can only conquer yourself.”

Rock Climbing practice area

7. What are the few tips you would share with our readers? 

You may be the first to visit a place but you certainly won’t be the last, so please leave the place like as would expect to find it. Free of trash and waste!

Take back memories and leave behind nothing but footprints.

You can follow Abishai on twitter @athletnexplorer.