It is not quite easy to define rock climbing, but it is not difficult too. Anyone who claims to be a rock climber has his own version of the game. Rock climbing for some is to challenge their spirits and explore new heights, to give a fillip to their unbounded imaginations; for others, it is a way telling the world that he/she has finally arrived. For many of the professional rock climbers, it is not a sport. Can you call a mission to moon a sport or pastime? If not, then why should rock climbing be called a sports is the argument. For them, rock climbing is an adventure of the greatest magnitude; it is a fight against self, against the elements, and the ultimate goal is to reach the summit and return back alive.

Rock Climbing in India, initially began as training for mountaineering and turned into an exciting sport about 15 years ago. Rock-climbing is largely balance and not strength. Balance also determines the value of strength by how much energy you spend actually climbing.

Rock-climbing can become complex because it involves the interplay of many elements: you, your gear, your skill and technique.

Saftey
Climbing is relatively safe, but that shouldn't stop all climbers from taking precautions. Climbers are not oblivious to heights. As a climber, you cannot afford to suffer from vertigo or a lapse of judgment. Specialist equipment such as ropes is often used to protect climbers from falls.

Best Season
October to February. Monsoons should be avoided.


Rock Climbing Destinations in India
Rock climbing is an almost year round sport in India, except during the Monsoon season. The fun on the rocks is mainly concentrated in and around Delhi; near Pune on the Western Ghats; along the Bombay-Nashik at centers like Mumbra and Dulha; in Manali in Himachal Pradesh; the Chamundi Hills in Karnataka, and in Sonamarg, a popular base in Kashmir.

Rock Climbing in India: Southern India
Badami, a five-hour drive from Bangalore, is a good place for rock climbing. Bangalore is in the center of a number of rock-climbing destinations like Ramanagaram (the setting for the Hindi blockbuster Sholay), Savandurga, Thuralli, Kabbal, Raogodhu, and others. Kambakkam at a distance of around 100 km from Chennai provides good climbing in many grades while Hampi in Karnataka has some of the best granite rocks in India providing the climbers ample opportunities to test their skills.

Rock Climbing in India: Eastern India
In a 300-km radius adjoining Calcutta, there are some good rock-climbing destinations like Purulia, Matha Bura, Jai Chandi, and Susunia Hills. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute provides some courses in Mountaineering at Gobu and Tenzing Norgay Rocks.

Rock Climbing in India: Western India
There are several good rock-climbing destinations near Mumbai like Kanheri Caves in the Borivili National Park, Mumbra Boulders, and Manori Rocks. In Gujarat, Pavagadh is a favorite rock-climbing destination. In Rajasthan, the region around Mount Abu like State Mountaineering Institute's training area, Golden Horn Spire, and Adhar Devi Slabs are the best rock-climbing destinations.

Rock Climbing in India: Northern India
Sheer rock faces, ideal for rock climbing, can be found in many areas. The Aravali hills have good climbing faces at Dumdama, Dhauj and Nuh, all situated near Delhi. The Western Ghats have Mumbra and Dudha beyond Pune. Himachal Pradesh offers the Manali Valley, Manikaran and the Rohtang Pass.

Besides these, there are many artificial climbing walls in Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Bangalore, Darjeeling, Manali, Uttarkashi, Bikaner, and at Mathura Road near Badarpur border in Haryana.