Bouldering in Hampi

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● Bouldering season in Hampi ● Facilities ●Equipment stores & rentals: ●Maps and Topos : ●Costs and Budgets : ●Training and Guidance: ●Cautions: ●Practice responsible Bouldering : ●Betas and Tips: ●Origin of Hampi’s boulders: ●Bouldering events in Hampi: ●Bouldering photos from Hampi: ●Resources on bouldering:

Map showing Virupaksha Temple and its environs.
Hampi Bazaar & Virupapur Gadde (Virupapur Gaddi) , the major lodging locations in Hampi are very close to Virupaksha Temple. The boulderers generally stay at the north of the river. Though not limited, some of the popular bouldering fields are at this side of the river.

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Background :

I’m currently making this page on “Bouldering in Hampi” . The idea is to give the bouldering fans a quick understanding of the bouldering scenario in Hampi

www.hampi.in is not an adventure sports related website. The prime theme of my website is in general the attractions of Hampi as a historic/religious/tourist area. Nevertheless Hampi is an important place for the bouldering enthusiasts. So this effort to make a bouldering specific page here

If you have some betas/bouldering photos to share please let me know.

Pilgrimage : Join Chris Sharma, Katie Brown, and Nate Gold on a bouldering pilgrimage to the sacred South Indian village of Hampi, India, where ancient Hindu temples nestle among thousands of unclimbed granite boulders. Seen through the eyes of Sharma, Pilgrimage combines world-class action with a rare and inspiring view into the mind of the greatest climber of our time.
Pilgrimage DVDs available at www.bigUPproductions.com

Whether you are amateur boulderer or a veteran looking for new problems off the beaten routes, Hampi will not fail to satisfy your hunch. In Hampi you can spend a lifetime do bouldering and still left with many problems yet to be attempted. I’m no bouldering expert, but I could see at Hampi enthusiastic folks attempting problems like there is no tomorrow.

For long Hampi has been in the list of those places secretly shared among the old hand boulderers. Not anymore, especially after the 2003 sensational climbing movie “Pilgrimage” featuring Chris Sharma with his friends Katie Brown and Nate Gold.

This movie shot by the renowned climbing movie maker Josh Lowell generated special interest among the bouldering fans across the world.

Along with some serious bouldering actions, the movie succeeded in capturing the very essence of the holy nature of Hampi. Therefore the name Pilgrimage! A beeline of climbers lugging their crash pad to the boulder-strewn Hampi was the result.

The purists among the boulderers may not to like to see it, but Hampi has a large number of giant boulders that is split apart vertically. As a boulderer sometimes these create campus board like problems for you.

In fact the 16th century artisans who used the granite to build the temples and other monumental structures in Hampi split these boulders. The split face of the boulders is so flat. It appears as if these were sliced like cake with a sharp knife. Far from it they used a novel technique using dry wooden pegs and water to split the boulders to the size. A chain of holes (along the line of split) were drilled on the boulder surface. The dry wooden pegs were then driven into these holes.
The peg holes, an abandoned attempt to split the boulder sheet.

Water was poured continuously allowing the wooden pegs to get soaked and expanded gradually. That forced the boulder to split open in one go. And only god alone knows how many elephants they used to move these blocks to the work site. Along the top edge of the split boulders you can see the grove like feature of the drill hole. Also when you move around the ruins site, you will come across many such series of drill holes on the boulder surface, without any split, probably an abandoned attempt.

A ‘sliced’ boulder on the way to the Malyantha Hill top.

Whatever is your grade and ambition, you’ll have more thrilling problems than you can chew.

● Bouldering season in Hampi:

November and December are the best season of the year. Avoid the rainy season and the peak summer.

Hampi is hot and dry. I mean the summer temperature can go past the mark - 40°C ( 104° F ). Summer pickups momentum from February onwards. March to June is really hot. Then the monsoon (rainy season) arrives, making the boulders wet and slippery. By August monsoon recedes but the heat still persists, though on the decline.

November and December are the coolest months for Hampi with pleasant weather.

You may stretch your plan on either side of this ‘season’ a bit, if you don’t mind a bit of hot climate.

Monsoon season (rainy season) in Hampi

One way of managing this is to start early (say by sunrise) to the boulder fields. Retire when the heat reaches beyond your tolerance. Take a long mid-day break. Start again in the evening, till sunset.

Also select the boulders with problems on the shade side, depends of the time of the day. I mean attempt problems that are located on the western sides of the boulders during the forenoon and vice versa in the afternoon. This hide and seek strategy can somewhat minimize the direct exposure to the sunrays. Nothing can prevent an inspired boulderer from attempting whatever he/she likes. Take care of yourself anyway.
Approximate Day and Night temperatures of Hampi.

●Facilities:

For Hotels and Lodges in Hampi see: Hotels & Lodges

For a general list of facilities in Hampi see :Facilities.

(details soon....) Use the search box to get the info quick!

●Equipment stores & rentals:

Like I’ve mentioned elsewhere, Hampi doesn’t have any stores where you can buy climbing gadgets. If you are particular about your favorite brand of accessories, consider bring it along with you. Alternatively you may enquire with any of the major suppliers in India in advance. Cities like Bombay (Mumbai) and Bangalore has some adventure sports stores. Also be specific about your requirements for Hampi.

You need not have to lug all those heavy stuffs like camping tents and the heavy sleeping bags. You’ll be disappointed for the effort as Hampi is more of a bouldering area than say mountaineering. Again, remember the bouldering locations in Hampi are typically few minutes away from the lodges where you stay. So outdoor camping is not a necessity. Instead consider bringing an extra pair of those old climbing shoes lying at the corner of you garage. The hard granite can wear out your footwear easily, if you are on for a long haul in Hampi. In any case you can leave back the unwanted accessories at one of the guesthouses, if you are looking for a lighter backpack when going home.

This portion tries to identify a few options for rental of equipment, training services and stores to buy equipment and other accessories.

If you are heading from Bangalore and looking for some equipment rental options, you may even check the website of Bangalore Mountaineering Club (www.bmcindia.org ) , a private initiative by some mountaineering enthusiast. The rental rates and contact details are shown in their website.

Also if you are heading to Hampi from Bangalore and want to buy some gadgets, checkout Wild Craft (#121, 3rd Block, 8th Main Jayanagar,Bangalore, PIN- 560011 ) or Ozone (# 4, 9th 'A' Cross, 12th Block, Kumarapark West, Bangalore, PIN-560 020. Tel : + 91 - 80 - 2356 1871 / 72, Fax : 2344 8054 , www.ozoneindia.com ) .

Getoff ur ass is a Bangalore based store selling adventure sports gadgets. They also rent out stuffs you may require ( www.getoffurass.com )

Most of the rental agencies ask for a refundable caution deposit before renting things out. The rental scene is Hampi is a bit different, since the rental services are typically associated with the lodge you stay.

In any case you can rent crash pad in Hampi for about Rs50 (USD1) per day. Enquire at your lodge. For all that matter you may get a couple of crash pads as a complimentary free service from the lodge!

Of course the above list is no patronage. I’m just compiling here various options for you to explore….. There are many more options. I would add more to the list as and when I keep getting them.

●Maps and Topos :

A general Map of Hampi

(more maps soon....)

● Costs and Budgets :

For a general budgeting for Hampi see Cost & Budget , till I come up with some ‘bouldering specific’ expenditures. Or have I already mentioned somewhere here that crash pad rental rates in Hampi?

Anyway Hampi will be one of the least expensive bouldering locations. I mean you can stay for months of a shoestring budget and keep bouldering. It will be mostly the heat, rather than the cost, that will eventually going to chase you out of the Hampi.

By the way there is no fee you have to pay for bouldering in Hampi. And it is bouldering unlimited. Yes, there are still a few more pleasures left on earth where one doesn’t have to pay….

(details soon....)

●Training and Guidance:

There are basically two obvious ways to go about this, do it all by yourself or under some professional guidance.

Jerry from Belgium doing v8, behind Rishimukh
Photo courtesy www.reachingout.in

If you are a seasoned boulderer, you may prefer to do it without any special guidance. I mean even if you are new to Hampi. A little bit of homework and tips collected from your friends who have been to Hampi is adequate you to start with. You will start bouldering in Hampi without any hiccups. In general you neither have to take any special permission or pay any fees for bouldering in Hampi.

The second option is to seek professional guidance. This is recommended especially if you are a novice.

There are many agencies and bouldering professionals offer their services at Hampi. Some are mentioned below

A third option is of course is to join a group of other boulderers.

Reaching Out is an agency offering professional services in bouldering at Hampi during December to March. They offer two options, a three hour long half day training session and six hour long full day training. Fees is Rs350 (USD 9) for half day session (includes refreshment) and Rs 650 (USD16) for full day session (include refreshment and veg. lunch). The basic equipment (crash pad, climbing shoe and chalk bag) are provided for the sessions.

You may contact Rohit Chauhan of Reachingout at Hampi on phone : 09480516657
Further contact details are given in their website ( www.reachingout.in )

Check out the website of Manav , voluntary organization known for their activities in adventure sports ( www.manavngo.org ) .

Nature Admire is a private agency offers training in adventure sports. Check with them if they have any Hampi specific program coinciding with your Hampi plan ( www.natureadmire.com )

●Cautions:

It goes without saying that bouldering is a risky sport. If you are a beginner try it only under proper guidance.

Like mentioned earlier, the boulders in Hampi are granite. They are not kind on softer skin. The boulder surfaces, especially the less exposed vertical faces, are rough and can be flakey. Monsoon season can make the surface slippery. Heat in the summer can really become unbearable for those of you who are not used it. A more detailed account of the climate is detailed here: Hampi Climate.

It is not very rare to spot reptiles in the pits and shrubs around the boulder fields.

The langurs ruling the area can become your companions or enemies (if felt threatened) depend on how you treat them. There is no interspecies bouldering competition here. At the best borrow a couple of betas from them and leave them alone to their problems. That is your effective strategy to deal with these master climbers. Never try to tease or shoo them off. Ganging up, hissing and grunting are typical signs of their agitation. Just ignore them and stop any provocation, they will simply disperse after some skeptical moments. You can go on with just another problem.

While trekking off the trails, be on the lookout for the broken glass pieces (yep. beer bottles!) and those wicked thorny shrubs.

For a larger list of general cautions in Hampi see: Cautions.

●Practice responsible Bouldering :

To a question on his climbing movie “Pilgrimage” Chris Sharma responded saying Hampi is sacred to the Hindus since it is the birthplace of Hanuman, the monkey god. Also Hampi is a place for pilgrimage to the boulderers, since boulders are temples for them.

On preserving the Hampi’s environs the good old axiom is the golden rule - Leave nothing but footprints; take nothing but memories……, may be a couple of extra photographs don’t do much harm either.

One good thing about bouldering is that it is by nature the most environmental friendly adventure sports of its genre. It creates very few thresh and damages environment the least. Make full advantage of this virtue of bouldering.

Follow a minimum consumption pattern. Pick and carry back from the bouldering site, what ever thresh is generated during the session (empty water bottles, chocolate wrappers, chalk bags,….). Anyway the next rain will clear the few chalk powder marks you have left on the boulder surface, take care of the rest by yourself.

Law does not allow bolting, though you may find some stray attempts made.

Again, you may not be allowed to try the boulders located very close to the monument sites, thanks to the protection concerns. Any way Hampi has no dearth of it.

The dilemma is…. the close you go to the protected sites, they may ask you to go away and try, thanks to the preservation concerns. The far you go, they may ask you to go close to the tourist area, thanks to the safety concerns. Nevertheless it is not very hard for you to find the balance and settle.

The matured always find ways to enjoy things responsibly.

●Betas and Tips:

Boulders on the way to the Durga Temple. Your spectators generally are these cute looking black faced Langurs.

Banana Beta : Banana is one of the easiest and natural foods to recharge you fast while bouldering. Guess what, Hampi is jam-packed with banana plantations. Grab a couple of dozens of that tiny yellow variety on you way to the boulder fields. The little shops near your lodge sell banana. It is farm fresh, delivers the much needed quick energy, quenches thirst and inexpensive.

Never trust those gentlemen like monkeys befriend you in the fields. They are just waiting for your attention start getting focused on the boulder problems. And that is a supplementary beta for the banana beta.

(more soon....)

●Origin of Hampi’s boulders:

Those finally end up in Hampi invariably wonder how on earth such a landscape was formed! Well, you have two choices to find a solace: one in geology and the other in mythology.

A balancing-boulder at Malyavantha Hill top. Hampi has many such bizarre looking boulder formations.

The geologists’ version first: The Hampi’s boulder strewn landscape is one of the oldest exposed surfaces on earth. Unlike most of the mountain ranges, the boulder heaps of Hampi were not formed as a result of volcanisms or of any uplift in the earth’s crust. The boulders were once part of gigantic granite monoliths. Tens of millions (some even put it as a few billions) of years of erosion thanks to the natural forces (sun, storm, wind etc) made the surface of the monoliths crack, split and eventually metamorphed in to its present forms. The pieces that lost balance in the process crumbled and formed the boulder heaps. The ones managed to balance somehow remained in some quasi-stable state, puzzling the spectators.

Children (and even the curious among grownups) who visit Hampi often ask, “ How did they manage to stack up such giant boulders one over the other? ” The answer is simple. Nature played the role of a sculpturer. It scooped out the ‘unwanted’ portion out of those giant granite monoliths, making it look as if someone had stacked the boulders with precision.

A frieze on the pillar in Vattala Temple depicting battle between Vali and Sugreeva.

Hindu mythology has a different story to say. I like this version, since it gels well with the rest of Hampi’s mysteries than the so-called erosion theory. Hampi is believed to be the mythical monkey kingdom. And there was a bitter power struggle going on between the princely brothers, Sugreeva and Vali. In a pitched battle Vali defeats Sugreeva and chases him out of the kingdom. The frightened Sugreeva took refuge at the Matanga hill (the tallest hill in Hampi ) as Vali can’t climb it thanks to a curse on him.

Rama , the king of Ayodhiya , reaches Kishkinda in search for his abducted wife, Sita. Hanuman, the monkey general finds Sita in Lanka (Sri Lanka) in custody of the demon king Ravana. Vali offers help of his monkey army to attack Lanka and free Sita. In return Rama helps him to kill Vali and regain the throne of the monkey kingdom.

The battle between Vali and Sugreeva was so intense that the boulders threw at each other piled up all around Hampi. In another version of the story, the monkey army piled up the boulders here to build a bridge to Lanka. That helped the monkey army to march to Lanka.

Rishikukh Hill, a popular spot among the boulderers as “Hampi Island” is believed to be the place where Hanuman first met Rama and his brother Lakshmana.

According to the myths the place south of Rishimukh (across the river) is the place where Rama crowned Sugreeva, after killing Vali. A temple called Kodanda Rama Temple stands at this place.

The Anjaneya Hill, with the characteristic whitewashed zigzag stairs to the top is believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman.

In short Hampi, in mythological terms, has been a happening place. And that explains why there are so many temples built in Hampi. Of all the Hanuman icons definitely steal the show.

It is only logical if some boulderers consider Hanuman as their presiding deity! After all Hanuman is a symbol of defiance and strength, the very essence of any boulderer.

● Bouldering events in Hampi:

(details soon....) Use the search box to get the info quick!

●Hampi bouldering photos :

I’m happy to attach some of your Hampi bouldering action photos here!

Do you want to share your bouldering action photo with other bouldering fans?

Please let me know the location of the boulder, the grade (if known) and any betas you would like to share with others. I can add these details to the caption of the image. Of course, the photos will carry copyright tag in your name.
(Only Hampi bouldering photos please!)

Khalid from England doing v6, Goan Corner area.
Photo courtesy www.reachingout.in

The area between the Hampi Bazaar and the Courtesans’ Street (seen at the right in picture). This area has a few popular boulders with interesting problems. Located on the south side of the river (seen in picture)
Courtesans’ Street (shown in picture). This area has a few popular boulders with interesting problems. " >

**Rishimuck prow:** Gloria on a nice 6b problem with reachy and powerful moves on the Rishimuck plateau. On the left background appears 'Ecstasy Tree', an intimidating 7c.
Courtesy : www.canpirra.com

**Space Baba:** David on the initial dyno of Space Baba (7b) in the Baba Cafe boulder. The first move leads to a crimpy tricky finish.
Courtesy : www.canpirra.com

**Klem's arete:** Gloria on the Klem's arete in the Rishimuck plateau (6b+). Stick the sloper and go for the big crimp.
Courtesy : www.canpirra.com

**Egg boulder prow:** David sticking to the starting position of the egg prow (6b). Powerful crimpy moves lead to the upper easy arete. Exciting downclimb to the ground.
Courtesy : www.canpirra.com

The socalled ‘sister stones’ 2 kilometers from ( on the way to) Hampi village. This pair of two giant leaning boulders is one of the popular among the highball fans.

Rich from England doing v8, unknown location.
Photo courtesy : www.reachingout.in

Jerry from Belgium doing v5, near Cosmic Cave
Photo courtesy : www.reachingout.in

Jerry from Belgium doing v6, Cosmic Cave area
Photo courtesy : www.reachingout.in

Nathan from Canada climbing v6, goan corner area.
Photo courtesy : www.reachingout.in

Jerry from Belgium doing v8, behind Rishimukh
Photo courtesy : www.reachingout.in

●Resources on bouldering:

- There is an interesting website on bouldering in Hampi and other areas of the world by a spanish climber called David ( http://www.canpirra.com/HampiWebSite/Hampi_Home.html). The downloadable PDF guide on Hampi with a dozen plus bouldering photos is especially useful.

Pilgrimage DVDs available at www.bigUPproductions.com

You can preview a trailer of Pilgrimage Video at Youtube.com

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Bouldering in Hampi

Get those details fast. Use the search box!

Save This Page

See also: ● Facilities
● Cautions ● Hampi Maps

Use the search box to get the info quick!

●Facilities:

For Hotels and Lodges in Hampi see: Hotels & Lodges

For a general list of facilities in Hampi see :Facilities.

(details soon....) Use the search box to get the info quick!

(details soon....) Use the search box to get the info quick!

© 2007 www.hampi.in All rights reserved

Bouldering in Hampi

Get those details fast. Use the search box!

Save This Page

See also: ● Facilities ● Cautions ● Hampi Maps

Use the search box to get the info quick!

●Facilities: For Hotels and Lodges in Hampi see: Hotels & Lodges For a general list of facilities in Hampi see :Facilities.

(details soon....) Use the search box to get the info quick!

(details soon....) Use the search box to get the info quick!

© 2007 www.hampi.in All rights reserved

See also: ● Facilities
● Cautions ● Hampi Maps

●Facilities:

For Hotels and Lodges in Hampi see: Hotels & Lodges

For a general list of facilities in Hampi see :Facilities.