Rock Climbing
What is Rock climbing ?
Rock climbing is the sport of scaling rocks, using special equipment. Learn
the right way to use your climbing equipment because poor use can prove very
risky. Climbing calls for mental and physical strength, flexibility, agility and
endurance. To help climbers practise, climbing walls have been erected in indoor
and outdoor facilities worldwide. A novice to the sport would need the help of
an instructor and a few training classes to learn the ropes.
Where to go ?
The hot spots for rock climbing are Ramnagaram, Savandurga and Turalli near
Bangalore* in Karnataka, Kullu Manali in Himachal Pradesh, and Rishikesh in
Uttaranchal. Dhauj in Haryana, and Badhkal Lake on the Sohna-Ballabgarh Road
have rock climbing routes of various grades of difficulty. Dam Dama in Haryana,
on the Delhi–Alwar Highway, offers a half-day rock climbing package. Other
places that are popular are Mt. Abu in Rajasthan, Pachmarhi in central India and
the Gangotri Gorge, north of Delhi. Rock climbing is a highly developed activity
in the Western Ghats. The popular spots here are Borivali National Park, Mumbra
boulders and Manori rocks, on the outskirts of Mumbai. Lonavla and Khandala,
near Mumbai, also have some great rock climbing sites. The Karla Mountains,
about 16 km from Khandala, are home to a cluster of caves. Their sheer
rock-faces provide the appropriate terrain for a rock climber. Igatpuri is also
popular with rock climbers. In Maharashtra, the best season to go rock climbing
is from October–May.
What you need to know ?
Rock climbing can be risky. Falls and other accidents do occur. Hand, wrist,
shoulder and elbow injuries among climbers are common.
What you must carry ?
Invest in a good pair of climbing shoes. A climbing rope, made with braided
nylon fibres, comes next. The rope should be able to stretch a bit under
tension. Carabiners, solid aluminium rings with a spring-loaded latch, hold the
ropes firmly. Tubular nylon webbing is strong and inexpensive. Belays are two
metal rings attached in a figure of ‘8’ to hold the rope tightly. A
spring-loaded camming device (SLCD) has a stem with an axle at one end. By
anchoring this firmly to a crack, the climber can protect himself.
Rock Climbing : Hotspots
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Turalli, Ramnagaram, Hampi, Badami, Savandurga (Karnataka) |
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Rishikesh (Uttaranchal) |
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Manali (Himachal) |
Rock Climbing : Do's and Don'ts
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Prevent blisters by taping fingers and using chalk. |
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Replace worn equipment immediately. |
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Don’t learn from a friend, go to a professional instructor. |
