Scaling the Rocks

It was the end of summer and as usual I ended my summer by hitting the rocks at Manori, a beach site in the far flung western suburbs of Mumbai last Sunday. Wondering what I was doing well I went Rock Climbing with a couple of friends most of whom were going to be climbing for the first time. I was as good as a first timer because I was going climbing after a very long time (almost a year) and I felt I had lost confidence and would have to start all over again.
We couldn't wait to feel the air below us and the sheer rock above. We started at 7 am in the morning from Malad station and headed straight to Malad jetty from where we had to take a ferry to Manori. Not a tough task on a Sunday morning to get to Manori. Every ten minutes there is a ferry to Manori. From Manori you could take a rickshaw or bus and ask for Ambedkar stop. After you alight here it’s a 20 minute walk to the rocks. It’s an amazingly isolated place with the rocks to us. Jayesh from Odati Adventures was our leader.
A trained mountaineer from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) in Uttaranchal, Jayesh is a regular climber although he says he is nit as regular as he would like to be. It was a nice 20 minutes walk to the climbing site which is away from the main beach site.
Just as Jayesh was fixing the ropes for climbing, we settled ourselves comfortably on the rocks watching him and the equipments that are used for climbing.
As a hobby rock climbing first came to Mumbai in 1970s, but not many were interested. It caught on in the 80s with many people sitting up and taking notice of this sport. Now lot many people are coming into this adventure sport. There are accountants, ad-men, corporate executives and students among them, all charmed by the unique thrill and challenges of the sport. It is said that If you do not have enough of mental strength to complement physical fitness, rock climbing may not be your cup of tea. Once the lead climber is on the way up, suspended a few hundred feet above the empty space, he needs to have total concentration to make split second decisions. The decisions made on top of the steep rocks add to the excitement and adventure, since each climb is unique.
One must take care of a few important things before climbing. The best attire for climbing is a T-Shirt tucked into track pants and proper climbing shoes. Most outdoor activities company that conduct rock climbing do provide with climbing shoes.
Jayesh provided us with the gear such as helmet and climbing shoes. He gave us the necessary instructions and also talked to us about a few climbing techniques that are currently prevalent. Well the climbing techniques vary from rock to rock. While rock climbing there has to be a balance and rhythm in ones movements. The first and foremost requirement for a climber is balance. If at any point of time while climbing, the climber has to pull out his climbing equipment on the way up, he should be able to do with ease.
We were told that there is something called Bouldering.
Bouldering is supposed to be the purest form of climbing, since no climbing equipment are used here. Although hands and feet do most of the work, safety equipment like ropes and body harnesses are mandatory in rock climbing. It is physically exhausting, and the climber has to keep this in mind before deciding on the route. The lead climber's calculation about the route and the duration of the climb has to be perfect.
We were to climb a 30 feet rock. Jayesh first demonstrated to us how to climb. He climbed like a lizard. It was absolutely effortless climb and climbing seemed so easy. It’s only when you attempt it yourself that you realize how tough it is. I made three attempts but unfortunately could not go climb right to the top. I missed shot of five feet. But nevertheless an attempt at climbing after a year was an enchanting experience for me and for the entire group.
One thing i must mention here is that while i had climbed rocks earlier but during this climb Narayan Iyer, a banker climbed brilliantly. he was the only one who reached the top point and climbed the complete 30 ft rock. And who says bankers are boring. Well out of our group of six three were bankers and one was a lawyer and it was a fun trip.
Rock climbing has also given rise to artificial wall climbing, otherwise known as sport climbing. This is an attempt to re-create the rock climbing experience in a controlled environment. There is one artificial wall constructed at the Dadaji Kondeo Stadium at Thane (West) to train climbers for competitions.
Climbing walls also provides a year round alternative to ourdoor rock climbing. It also offers a training facility to climbers, introducing beginners to rock climbing in the safest possible environment. These walls offer an excellent way to improve fitness and provide a feel of adventure. Sport climbing is, in a way a better alternative for those who are scared to climb the actual rocks. Climbing walls have moveable holds attached to the climbing surface. These can be adjusted to varying degrees of difficulty of the route. During rock climbing, one has to learn how to avoid accidents. There could be two types of accidents, one, which is natural and unavoidable and two the man made accidents. These can be caused because of over confidence, lack of concentration and wrong decisions, lack of knowledge of equipments lack of experience etc etc. While climbing presence of mind is the most important and a cool temperature are very much essential and the lead climber should have these qualities.
Rock climbing is slowly and steadily gaining prominence in our country. Artificial wall climbing has contributed to increase awareness about it.

Terminology in Rock Climbing:
Anchor Point: The point of protection for the lead climber

Anchor: Protection that secures the team to rock.

Ascenders: Mechanical cramming devices that grip the rope. They slid in one direction and grab in the other.

Belay: To secure the climb with the rope.

Coll: A method of packaging a rope in order to carry it.

Crux: The most difficult move or section of the climb.

Edging: A technique in which, one places the edge of the boot in such a way that allows them to share the load.

Face Climbing: Climbing on face holds

Free Climbing: To make progress without placing any weight on rope systems or artificial protections.

Grade: A rating of the overall difficulty of a climb.

Jam: A camming action performed by climbers, using body parts to gain purchase in the cracks.

Jug: A huge face hold.

Lead Climbers: The person leading or going first, lead climbers climb above the belay.

Rack: A compliment of climbing protection carried by a climber.

Rappel: To slide down on the rope, controlling with friction.

Top Rope: A belay which is above the climber.

Essential Equipments:

The climbers are totally dependent on this to secure them to the rock. All equipments is tested to at least half in strength before it comes to the market. In case of technical equipment, the weakest link is tested at two tonne. The equipment from Indian manufacturers are not tested to any strength.

Climbing rope: Made of nylon fibres, and has a sheath and a core area. It comes in length from 45 m to 60 m. A 50 m length usually suffices of most climbs.

Harness: A belt made of nylon tape which is wrapped around the thighs and the waist of the climber. It is the connection between the climber and the rope. In case of a falt, it distributes the impact over the thighs and the waist.

Shoes: Smooth high friction, rubber soled, skintight shoes. For beginners attempting easy climbs, normal tight fitting P T shoes with flexible rubber soles would do.

Chalk Bag: A small pouch tied to the waist of the climber, contining Magnesium Carbonate. When applied to the hands, it absorbs the sweat, making it comfortable for the climber to grip small holds. Rs 250 each.

Crabiners: Metal safetycatches, they work like large size safety pins, with the gate spring loaded for easy opening and automatic shutting. There are two types: Screw locking and plain.

Descender/Belay Device: A climber has a choice of many kind of descender and belay devices in the market. These are friction devices which absorb the shock of the falling climber. They also impart friction while descending.

Tape slings: Nylon tapes which are either stirched or tied together with a knot, they can be made of various sizes, they are used for jamming in the rock crevices.

Friends: Camming devices, which contract on the pull of the trigger and expand as they go into crack. They come in various sizes.

Helmet: A climbing helmet is an absolute.

Major Climbing Areas around Mumbai:

Mumbai: There are innumerable climbing areas in the western ghats and many exciting climbs on the pinnacles around Mumbai. The following areas provide convenient and safe climbing. Kanheri Caves. Borivili National Park--The boulders in the Borivili National Park offers some interesting in dvariety climbing.

Mumbra Boulders : It takes about 30 minutes to walk to the base of the Mumbra boulders which lie above the town on the right hand end. The nursery boulders have some interesting problems to offer and are ideal for a beginner.

Manori Rocks: Between the Manori beach and Gorai beach. The main stack is called the 'camel'. The rocks are between four and 10 m high. They are of good quality and have something to offer to everyone.