Finally found some time to go to an internet cafe today. I brought the bad weather with me from Vietnam and after arriving into Hampi on Wednesday today was the first full day without rain. A huge storm hit southern India and so during my first 48 hours here there were maybe 4 hours of power total. I managed to climb the afternoon I arrived, then I spent a whole day in the restaurant of my guest house talking, reading, and complaining about the torrential rain. We managed a couple of sessions the next two days but it was still raining on and off. Today I climbed all morning and now I need a break tomorrow. Aside from the whether it's really relaxed here and all the climbers stay at the same guest house that rents bouldering gear and has a great restaurant, so it's easy to meet people and socialize.
Unfortunately now it's stopped raining it gets so hot during the day that a 6am start to the climbing day and then stopping at 10am till evening is the only way to go. It works out though, because the granite here is so sharp and rough that if you tried a full day your skin would be absolutely shredded by the end. The climbing is really crimpy (small little ledges) with sharp crystals, and at some points you just have to accept it's going to hurt your skin. But you're rewarded with awesome lines on granite plateaus with Hindu temples and royal ruins in the background; absolutely stunning vistas, especially as the sun is setting.
This particular problem (climb) was a really good V6, made better by the fact there were seven or so people trying and working it. One of the best parts of bouldering rather than climbing on ropes is the social aspect; it's pretty awesome to have six others trying the same moves and swapping tips. I was the first to get but the time we left almost everyone had climbed it.
These two below are of Ben, a Missourian who lives in St. Louis that I've been climbing with. He and his wife are taking an extended trip through India before heading to China to work (I believe as English teachers but I might be misremembering).
So thanks for reading. This afternoon I'm visiting Hampi proper to see some of the ancient ruins and Hindu temples, so next time I blog I should have some cultural photos as well. But until then I hope you enjoyed the climbing shots.
Unfortunately now it's stopped raining it gets so hot during the day that a 6am start to the climbing day and then stopping at 10am till evening is the only way to go. It works out though, because the granite here is so sharp and rough that if you tried a full day your skin would be absolutely shredded by the end. The climbing is really crimpy (small little ledges) with sharp crystals, and at some points you just have to accept it's going to hurt your skin. But you're rewarded with awesome lines on granite plateaus with Hindu temples and royal ruins in the background; absolutely stunning vistas, especially as the sun is setting.
This particular problem (climb) was a really good V6, made better by the fact there were seven or so people trying and working it. One of the best parts of bouldering rather than climbing on ropes is the social aspect; it's pretty awesome to have six others trying the same moves and swapping tips. I was the first to get but the time we left almost everyone had climbed it.
These two below are of Ben, a Missourian who lives in St. Louis that I've been climbing with. He and his wife are taking an extended trip through India before heading to China to work (I believe as English teachers but I might be misremembering).
There are a ton of Spanish speaking climbers here too. Below are two of them, Dom from Spain and Beady from Latin America I believe. The female climber, Beady, finished the climb before most of the guys in less tries than almost everyone, it was pretty impressive.
So thanks for reading. This afternoon I'm visiting Hampi proper to see some of the ancient ruins and Hindu temples, so next time I blog I should have some cultural photos as well. But until then I hope you enjoyed the climbing shots.
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