In recent years Hiking and Mountaineering became my passion. I love being on those long lonely trails, walking for hours through deep forests, beautiful meadows and views of different peaks. But last time during my Roopkund Trek I realised that I need to learn more about this hiking, I need to learn how I should react in different situations. Every year Kharagpur Explorers Association (KEA) conduct a Rock Climbing Course. This year I decided to join them. This time it was Bansa Hill near Purulia, West Bengal.
My other trek partners were not available this time for this course so I decided to go alone, but luckily few friends from Kalaikunda joined me.
Nearest railway station is Tulin, in Purulia District, West Bengal
Another memory to cherish all my lifetime. Let me share you what I learnt there, as you all know this blog is my notebook, I m pretty bad in remembering things, this post will keep the records of what I should remember about Rock Climbing.
First day learnt basics of Rock Climbing, different terms used in rock climbing and practiced on small rock which is technically called "Bouldering".
You see the guy in above pic, he is Mr. Shubrajyoti. We were extremely lucky to have him as our guest Instructor. He was on his vacation for two months in India still he managed to spare two days for this course. He is a techie working for some MNC in California, apart from that WOW factor about him is, he is a member of Yosemite National Park's Rock Climbing Association. He has done many projects in Yosemite National Park, let me tell you climbings are termed as projects in the world of Rock Climbing.
0 - 30 degree : Glacis
30 - 75 degree : Slab
75 - 90 degree : Wall
90 - 180 degree : Over Hang
Above 180 : Roof
Different Styles Of Climbing evolved from the beginning: Eight Climbing, Simuel Climbing, Free Climbing which again divided in two departments Rope and Solo. In recent times Solo climbing has gained popularity, it includes Shoe and Chalk Bag as there equipments thats it.
Carabiner: Different colors are used for identification. Its made of Alumni Alloy material. On every carabiner there is a horizontal arrow or Vertical Arrow which indicates the weight load of carabiner.
Descending or Belay: Equipment used is known as REVERSO, famous brand Black Diamond, two types are available in market auto and manual.
Slings or Bandolier: Used for hanging gears on upper part of our body.
Jammies: For crack climbing special gear is used for hands.
PAS: Person Anchoring System, system for hanging oneself.
Toposheet: Map in more details, geography students will better understand this toposheet.
Training Mask: For stimulating your breathing from 3000ft to 10000ft. Your breathing can be adjusted. You all might have seen this in bollywood flick PINK, where Amitabh Bachan is wearing this.
Pitons: Horizontal and Vertical two types.
Zoomer: Used for Ascending
Process of Supporting lead climber is called belay these are of five types :
Shoulder belay (shoulder is used as support)
Waist Belay (waist is used as support)
Knee Belay (knee is used as support)
Equipment Belay (eight shaped belay devices are available)
Spike Belay (any object except rock)
I am there: When lead starts
Take the slack: To make rope tight
That's me: When slack completes
First person to go is called as Guide man, and the last man End man and climbers in between are Middle man.
1. Sloper: where complete arm is in action
2. Crimps: Where finger is in action, Full crimp (with thumb), Half Crimp (without thumb)
3. Pocket
4. Pinch
5. Underclinch: Near waist level
6. Side pull: opposite side pressure
7. Gaston: same side pressure, left has left pressure
Grade class III, IV are done without any equipment or gears are known as scrambling
After IV it becomes climbing grading start from 5
5.1 to 5.7 Easy
Above that Moderate
Grades used: 5.10A, 5.10B, 5.10c TO 5.15A, 5.15B, 5.15C. Different rock faces all over the world are graded with this system.
Rock Material preferred for climbing is yellow stone or granite.
My other trek partners were not available this time for this course so I decided to go alone, but luckily few friends from Kalaikunda joined me.
Nearest railway station is Tulin, in Purulia District, West Bengal
Another memory to cherish all my lifetime. Let me share you what I learnt there, as you all know this blog is my notebook, I m pretty bad in remembering things, this post will keep the records of what I should remember about Rock Climbing.
First day learnt basics of Rock Climbing, different terms used in rock climbing and practiced on small rock which is technically called "Bouldering".
You see the guy in above pic, he is Mr. Shubrajyoti. We were extremely lucky to have him as our guest Instructor. He was on his vacation for two months in India still he managed to spare two days for this course. He is a techie working for some MNC in California, apart from that WOW factor about him is, he is a member of Yosemite National Park's Rock Climbing Association. He has done many projects in Yosemite National Park, let me tell you climbings are termed as projects in the world of Rock Climbing.
Degree of elevation and they are termed as:
0 - 30 degree : Glacis
30 - 75 degree : Slab
75 - 90 degree : Wall
90 - 180 degree : Over Hang
Above 180 : Roof
Different Styles Of Climbing evolved from the beginning: Eight Climbing, Simuel Climbing, Free Climbing which again divided in two departments Rope and Solo. In recent times Solo climbing has gained popularity, it includes Shoe and Chalk Bag as there equipments thats it.
Devices Gears Standardisation: UIA
Carabiner: Different colors are used for identification. Its made of Alumni Alloy material. On every carabiner there is a horizontal arrow or Vertical Arrow which indicates the weight load of carabiner.
Descending or Belay: Equipment used is known as REVERSO, famous brand Black Diamond, two types are available in market auto and manual.
Slings or Bandolier: Used for hanging gears on upper part of our body.
Jammies: For crack climbing special gear is used for hands.
PAS: Person Anchoring System, system for hanging oneself.
Toposheet: Map in more details, geography students will better understand this toposheet.
Training Mask: For stimulating your breathing from 3000ft to 10000ft. Your breathing can be adjusted. You all might have seen this in bollywood flick PINK, where Amitabh Bachan is wearing this.
Pitons: Horizontal and Vertical two types.
Zoomer: Used for Ascending
Belay
Process of Supporting lead climber is called belay these are of five types :
Shoulder belay (shoulder is used as support)
Waist Belay (waist is used as support)
Knee Belay (knee is used as support)
Equipment Belay (eight shaped belay devices are available)
Spike Belay (any object except rock)
Calls After anchoring of lead climber:
I am there: When lead starts
Take the slack: To make rope tight
That's me: When slack completes
First person to go is called as Guide man, and the last man End man and climbers in between are Middle man.
Hand Holds
1. Sloper: where complete arm is in action
2. Crimps: Where finger is in action, Full crimp (with thumb), Half Crimp (without thumb)
3. Pocket
4. Pinch
5. Underclinch: Near waist level
6. Side pull: opposite side pressure
7. Gaston: same side pressure, left has left pressure
Grading System, YDS : Yosemite Decimal System
Grade class III, IV are done without any equipment or gears are known as scrambling
After IV it becomes climbing grading start from 5
5.1 to 5.7 Easy
Above that Moderate
Grades used: 5.10A, 5.10B, 5.10c TO 5.15A, 5.15B, 5.15C. Different rock faces all over the world are graded with this system.
Rock Material preferred for climbing is yellow stone or granite.
