Climbing in India

 Before we begin talking about climbing in India, let us warn you that India is as big as Europe, or Texas and Louisiana combined in terms of its area. Its geography displays a diversity matched only by the diversity of its people, with the great Himalayas in the north, a volcanic plateau in the south and several mountain ranges along the coasts as well as in parts of the interior. This diversity is reflected in the various types of rock in India. As a result, the possibilities for climbing in India are vast and to a large part unexplored. In this article, I will outline the climbing areas that have already been well established in India and only give you a hint of the other possibilities in unexplored areas. Bon appetit!

Nandi Beil, 7b+,  Hampi

 Hampi: This is by far the most popular climbing destination in India after Chris Sharma visited it and shot his video Pilgrimage. Hampi is a bouldering heaven located in the south of India, around 350 km away from the city of Bangalore. It was the capital of the ancient Vijayanagara Empire from the 14th to the 16th century and the Group of Monuments at Hampi is a UNESCO WORLD Heritage site. Though there are sport routes in Hampi, bouldering is by far the mood and grades range from V0 to V11 with a lifetime of climbing possibilities. A small note of caution: the rock is granite and very sharp! Hampi has foreign climbers staying there for over six months at a time and returning regularly. Staying is not a problem, as there are several cheap lodges available. The best time for visiting would be from October to February. You might stretch it on either side, but it becomes too hot then.

Ganesh Plateau Area, Badami. The climber on the left is on Fire or Retire, 7a and the climber on the far right is on French Disaster, 6c.

 Badami: If Hampi is the bouldering capital of India, then its long route equivalent is Badami. Situated just 70 kilometers away from Hampi, Badami has red sandstone crags hosting sport routes as well as traditional climbs ranging from 5a to 8b+, with many, many more possibilities. The rock is much more kind to the fingers. There are boulders in Badami, but sport routes are the main attraction. One can spend a lot of time in Badami. Lodging and food is not a problem (it’s cheaper than Hampi… that’s really cheap.)  The best time to visit is the same as Hampi, but the advantage of this place is that it is more desolate than Hampi. Another attraction in Badami is the rock-cut temples made during the rein of the Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD.


 Ramanagaram: Ramanagaram is a scenic cluster of granite hills located in the south of India, just an hour’s drive away from the city of Bangalore. The area offers several sport as well as traditional climbs ranging from 5b to 8a+. There is room for more routes. An ideal visit will be for 2 to 3 days. One would have to camp out but food is available. The best time for visiting is the same as Hampi.


 Turahalli: Turahalli is a bouldering area on the outskirts of Bangalore. The rocks are granite and similar to those in Hampi (I mean: save your skin!) Grades range from V0 to V9. There is scope for more bouldering. Do keep around a day or two for the area even if you are short of time. One can stay in the city of Bangalore itself.

Big Move! , V5, Mumbai

 Mumbai: Mumbai has a very nice bouldering area and a few sport routes on its outskirts. The rock is basalt and there is some variation in its texture even in the area itself. Grades range from V0 to V8 and from 5b to 7c+ for boulders and sport routes respectively. It will take at least 2-3 days for a very good climber to complete everything around. There is a scope for more problems. The best time to come would be anytime from October to February. Staying is never a problem- just e-mail us.
P.S. You are always welcome at the Girivihar International Climbing Competition, which takes place here in late January! Some climbers of note have already visited it.


 Pune: Pune is a city located 150 kilometers away from Mumbai on the edge of the Deccan plateau. It offers two areas: (A) Sinhagad, an old fort near Pune where the basalt rock offers sport routes from 4c to 7b+. There is also some bouldering up to V7. There is scope for more routes and problems. The best time of the year is between October and May. Accommodation is never a problem - contact us; (B) Plus Valley, a huge plus-shaped gorge just 80 kilometers from Pune, discovered a few years back. There is magnificent basalt rock on both the walls of this gorge hosting sport routes and traditional routes from 5a to 7c, with much more possibilities! We have to descend into the gorge to climb there. We camp at the base of the valley and we need to carry our own food along. The sun hits the walls for only a few hours, which means that the rock remains cool and perfect for climbing! I suggest spending at least 2 days here. You will love it.

Hampi

 Delhi: India’s capital has two climbing areas, Dhauj and Ramjas. Dhauj has granite rock with sport routes from 5a to 7c+ while Ramjas has sandstone rock with sport routes from 4c to 8a+. Dhauj in particular has a lot of possibilities. The best time to visit is from October to February.


 The other unexplored climbing areas in India include Yana in the south, Mount Abu in the western desert state of Rajasthan and Pachmarhi in central India. Hrishikesh in Uttarakhand and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh are amazing places to climb in the Himalayas. There is also this small but beautiful bouldering area called Solang that I visited last summer in Himachal Pradesh. Very sweet place indeed!

 Welcome to India!