The MIR Challenge is an assessment of both the physical and technical aspects in Mountaineering as well as a test of teamwork. It was crafted out mainly to assess the team’s overall readiness for the Technical Mountaineering Course or Expedition that they will be embarking on. To add a fun element to it, the Challenge will be conducted in adventure racing style and will consist of a total of 4 Key Stations and they are namely:

1.  Jumar                                                                             2. Abseil

  3. Technical Knots                                                                                                                               4. Technical Gear Trivia

Format of the Challenge:

1. Each team is to navigate to all of the checkpoints by foot and complete all of the stations in the fastest time.

2. Participants will be broken up into groups of 4.

2. Each person is to carry a 15kg load throughout(not allowed to arrive at checkpoints without their packs) and also the essential Personal Mountaineering gear which are as follows:

- 2 Karabiners

- 1 Climbing Harness

- 1 Sling(for jumar and can double as safety sling if need be)

- 1 Arm length prusik and 1 leg length prusik

- 1 Belay device(ATC or Figure of Eight)

- At least 1 litre of water on top of the 15kg load

3.  It is compulsory for those going for TMC to complete all the technical stations. Also they are required to wear their harnesses with karabiner, slings and prusiks attached properly to the harnesses throughout the duration of the Challenge(even during the point to point fast marches). This is to simulate the exact equipment that you would have to be proficient in when doing ice climbing(for this TMC year end) or for the mainstream TMC next year in India. For those who are not doing TMC this year end it is not compulsory for you to complete the technical stations but it is encouraged for you to try it out first. You can do it without load. Similarly for the equipment, for those who have it do wear it for the stations, those who do not it is optional.

4. Each team must have one smartphone that is capable of taking photos and saving photos.

5.  Certain stations will require the team to take pictures.

6. Each team is to navigate to the checkpoint locations that will be stipulated on the Challenge day or before. The checkpoints will be all in school.

7. Only a photo of the checkpoint will be revealed to the team, the team has to figure out where the location of the checkpoint is from the photo.

How to Win:

1. Group which completes the most number of checkpoints(this exclude attempting but failing), in the fastest amount of time.

2. Non attempt of a single checkpoint will result in a 30 minute penalty. (tentative)

3. Attempt but non-completion will result in 15 minute penalty.(tentative)

Prize:

The guys in the team will have the privilege of touching my leg hair. On top of this priceless opportunity, chocolates will be given to the top team!

Grouping Plan(Will be updated again):

I will be forming the groups with a mix of physical fitness within the team. Don’t worry I won’t put Shreyas and Steven together they will rape all of us.