Rock climbing getting popular

Bengaluru has become a hotspot for both indoor and outdoor climbing

Anjana Chhabria.Photo by: Shwetank Kumar

Photo by: Pankaj Singh

Bengaluru has become a hotspot for climbing enthusiasts in and around the area. Both indoor and outdoor climbing has gained immense popularity over the last three years, especially among millennials in the city.

Everyone is always looking for the latest and greatest activity to keep them active and motivated. One sport that’s been around for decades but has only in the past few years made its way into the mainstream is indoor rock climbing says Gaurav J, owner of Let’s Play Climbing, Bengaluru. “I myself stumbled upon the art of climbing by accident. But ever since I climbed my first wall in Kanteerva Stadium almost a decade ago, I knew I wanted this activity to be a part of my life. I was so excited to introduce more and more people to this sport. That’s how I came up with the idea of opening up an indoor climbing station in Bengaluru.” he adds.

Bengaluru currently has 2 government-run climbing gyms and 4 private ones spread across the city. “The climbing community is a very niche community in the city right now but it’s a rapidly growing one. 2020 was a huge setback for all climbers of course, but ever since the regulations were lifted, we’ve been getting a steady flow of climbers excited to get back to their climbing routine.” says Gaurav.

There are two types of climbing that people often pursue. The first is top-rope climbing, which is when you are attached to a harness and a rope and climb up very tall walls. The second is bouldering, a type of rock climbing that takes place on shorter walls, usually 20 feet or less. Because of the height, it doesn’t require harnesses or ropes. You can boulder outside on natural rock or inside in a climbing gym.

“For me personally it is outdoor climbing that attracts me the most. The whole experience is so liberating, it makes you feel one with nature. Climbing also teaches you several values that you can add to your daily life. It not only makes you more focused but also helps in building a structured lifestyle.” Says Gowri Varanashi, experienced climber and founder of Climb Like A Woman (CLAW).

Gowri was first introduced to rock climbing in the US almost a decade ago. When she moved back to India, she noticed there was great outdoor climbing potential here and saw an opportunity to build a strong climbing community. She was keen on building a community of strong women and this led to her launching CLAW in 2018. “When I first initiated CLAW, there were some climbing enthusiasts in the country, but very few women climbers. There weren’t more than four active women climbers in Bengaluru. We have come a long way since then. Every CLAW event we organize, there are at least five to six women, eager to make the sport a part of their life. This is how we are adding to the already growing number of women climbers in Bengaluru,” she adds. After taking a step back in 2020 due to Covid-19, CLAW is all set to make a comeback with a special two-day event organized in Bengaluru later this month.

Although climbing is currently popular among millennials, it is not just millennials who are into the sport in the city, explains Gowri. “There might be a large portion of millennials engaging in the sport, but we don’t make up the entire demographic. At a CLAW event, you will find girls as young as 13 years old. There are also quite a few women who were avid climbers in the 80s, returning to the sport now. Many women have shown interest in outdoor climbing in Bengaluru recently.” She adds.

Bengaluru might be becoming a hotspot for climbers, but outdoor climbing in the city comes with its own set of problems. “Access issues is one of the common issues that climbers face, and if not this it’s the quarrying. One weekend we see a beautiful hill, and on the next, we see just half of it, until eventually that hill is just completely leveled. Turahalli used to be one of the most accessible locations for climbing in the city until a while back and this is where a lot of climbers began their climbing journey. Unfortunately, it’s not accessible anymore.” says Anjana Chhabria, climbing enthusiast.

When asked if climbing is just a current trend that’ll soon die down, Anjana said, “Climbing has been around for a really long time. It only feels like a ‘current trend’ because of the exposure it is getting right now thanks to millennials and social media. It’s always great to listen to stories and spend time with climbers who have been into the sport before I was even born. In no way is it a trend.” She also believes that it the strong positive sense of community that is present among climbers in Bengaluru, that is helping the sport grow and get more popular.

Best spots for outdoor climbing in Bengaluru

For bouldering:

Raogudlu and Avathi

For sport climbing:

Ramnagar and Varlakonda

For indoor climbing

Let’s Play Climbing, Vasanth Nagar

Equilibrium Climbing Station, Indiranagar

Is climbing a dangerous sport?

That’s an assumption people often have about climbing. Like any sport, climbing too has potential for injury. But in no way does it make it a more dangerous sport. In fact climbing helps you become more focused, reducing the chances of injury. It’s the perfect sport as it adds to your overall strength, physically and mentally, says Climbing Coach Shiva. He believes there are many misconceptions about climbing that will be corrected only once you give climbing a chance.