The founder of HOAC, Colonel Prem Chand (retd.) KC, SM, VSM, affectionately known as 'The Snow Tiger', is an internationally renowned mountaineer of legendary fame. Prem is today the most highly-decorated mountaineer in India. Since the start of his career, Prem has successfully summited some of the highest peaks of Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, Garhwal, Kashmir and Eastern Karakoram-A life dedicated to adventure. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation, while honouring his contribution to Indian Mountaineering stated "Decidedly Col. Prem Chand is one of the most accomplished and outstanding mountaineer India has produced".

On his personal front his greatest /unique achievement is being the First Indian in the world to reach the summit of India’s highest peak -  “Kanchendzonga” in 1977 from its severest route – The North East Spur. It is also known for being one of the fastest ascents of its time. For 45 years, several expeditions tried to climb the Kanchenjunga peak from the dangerous Sikkim route and were unsuccessful. The 1931 German Expedition almost tasted success, when it had to return from 3000 feet below the summit. This achievement was considered so great that it was awarded the Gold Medals at the Los Angles Olympics.

Lord Hunt described this achievement as being "...far greater than the Conquest of Everest as it involved technical climbing and objective hazards of a much higher order than those found on Everest."

Colonel Prem has been twice to Mt. Everest and is behind the success of putting the first Indian women Ms Bachendri Pal on top of Mt. Everest in 1984 as he personally trained the women group. In 1985 he led the Indian Army’s first expedition to Everest .

Col. Prem’s is also the first Indian to have climbed both the peaks of Nanda Devi. The other Major peaks summited by him are Kolahoi, Harmukh, Lashi, Machoi, SaserKangri and Nun in the Karakorams, Nanda Devi East & West, Thelu, Koteshwar, Jonli, Phalun Kang in Sikkim, Chomolhari and Pari Kang in Bhutan. In fact he has climbed around 30 peaks during his entire climbing career.

As an outstanding skier,Prem was also selected to lead the Indian Ski team for the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sappore, Japan.

Training of Everest Expeditions

Colonel Prem has successfully trained some of the greatest Everest expeditions of present times.

• 1984 Everest expedition , which successfully put the first Indian women Ms Bachendri Pal on top of Mount. Everest (He personally trained the women group ).
• West Bengals North Face Everest Expedition from Chinese side in 1991.
• “Indo-Nepal Joint Women Expedition-1993” which put a record number of Seven Women on top of Mount. Everest including the youngest girl..
• Trained Malaysian Everest Expedition -1997 (S.E Asia’s first successful Expedition to Mount. Everest)

Other Notable Training activities

• Initiated Singapore NCC into Adventure activities.
• Conducted Indian Mountaineering Foundations (IMF),Training Camps.
• Conducted Ski Federattion of India’s Summer Camps
• Mountain Guide training courses for Dept. of Tourism Govt,.of Himachal Pradesh.
• Adventure courses for some of the top Indian Schools

Appointments
Served as :

• Vice President ,of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation .
• Director ,Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Manali
• Director, Sports Authority of India High Altitude Training Centre Shilaroo, Himachal pradesh.
• Director Indian Army Adventure Cell
• He has the unique distinction of having worked in all the Mountaineering Institutes of India

Click here to read complete bio-data.