Rock climbing in India

**Perfection** · 03-14-2007, 12:42 PM

This is a difficult fort to reach, recognised by a hole on the extreme right side on top. The top is above the hole and standing over there is an experience in itself. Steps leading to the fort are blown off, so one has to climb the steep rock face of 20 m.

From Igatpuri travel to Bhavli by bus. Trek to Kulangwadi and then to the col of Madangad - Alang. Reach a very narrow and exposed track at the bottom of the rock climbing wall. Someone good in rock climbing has to overcome this difficult and highly exposed section to fix a rope to make it safe for the party. A guide from the near by village is advised. There is a hole carved out in the rock at the top of the climb, which is good for fixing a rope.

Further ahead steps leads to the upper plateau having a huge cave and water tank. There is an excellent view of the neighbouring forts - Kulang and Alang. It is easier to descend by rappelling down. One must be experienced and careful whilst climbing this fort.

My guides & Kulang fort viewed from top of Madangad

**Perfection** · 03-14-2007, 01:33 PM

Three fourth of the fort had to be traversed, at least 3 times at different levels to reach the top. A series of water cisterns arranged in semi circular fashion on the top is a unique sight.

From Igatpuri travel to Bhavli by bus. Trek to Kulangwadi and then to the col of Madangad - Alang. Descend on the left over rocky slabs to thick forest. A flat traverse enables one to reach almost to the end of the massif. A series of dry water ponds and a giant cracked rock is a marker to turn into a nala for the final climb. A track up the nala leads to small gully. After an easy rock climb supported by a bichki tree one enters the second level of the fort. Another long, flat and some times exposed traverse takes you to the extreme end, towards Madangad. A huge cave is situated here. Above the cave a long traverse gradually climbs to the top. The summit is peculiarly shaped with two small domes. Water cisterns and a small temple are situated at the base of the summit hump.

**Perfection** · 03-15-2007, 02:02 PM

This is a prominent pinnacle, which is clearly visible from the road. Get down at Wadhiware (On Igatpuri - Nashik road) an proceed to Dangya village on the left of the hill range. The 100 m pinnacle has a route from the west.

**Perfection** · 03-16-2007, 04:30 PM

This 60 m pinnacle stands at the saddle of Bitangad. With valleys on two sides it seems very isolated. It would be a very difficult rock climb from the east (facing Bitangad). From Igatpuri reach Warangushi and Shenit village (13 km) by bus, the route passing at the foot of Phandhra all along. On the road from Shenit to Bitangi village, the isolated pinnacle comes in view after 6 km, as you reach the saddle. The rock is quite firm all along but there is also some scree. One can also approach it from Taked via Bitangi in the opposite direction.

**Perfection** · 03-16-2007, 04:31 PM

Napta is a prominent rocky projection at the edge of the ghats and is visible from many places. It has nose like shape and is difficult to climb. Travel to Malegaon phata by Samgamner bus from Igatpuri. Reach Panchani village by bus. Cross a small depression to reach base of Napta via Pethachiwadi (5 km). Proceed to a col between two peaks of Napta and traverse the southern edge of the main peak. It has about 40 m rock climb and very bad scree has to be crossed. Near the top you find another 20 m of bad scree. There is a great view from the long ridge, which is at the top.

**Perfection** · 03-17-2007, 11:42 AM

It is a horse like projection from the ghats having a grand view of Napta. Travel to Malegaon phata by Samgamner bus from Igatpuri. Reach Kumshet village via Shirpunje by bus (26 km). From Kumshet village, cross Mula river to Ghodishep (5 km). The high point is Komda dongar and its west is Ghodishep, along the plateau.

**Perfection** · 03-17-2007, 11:49 AM

It is a prominent and unique fort. Travel from Kalyan and get down before the Malshej ghat at Morroshi. Approach the base of the fort by following a cart road. A hut is at the upper plateau with a well. Climb to the rocky walls of the fort and reach a pass between Bhairavgad and the main Deccan range.

From here, steps leads to the top. The walls overhang a little, and above the steps are blown off. One has to climb carefully above the overhang. There are several crumbling steps and plenty of scree to be overcome before one reaches the top, which has a great view of Malshej ghat and near by hills. It is advisable to go well prepared for a rock climb.

**Perfection** · 03-17-2007, 11:52 AM

Machindragad is an isolated rock pinnacle with a connecting ridge to Gorakhgad (nearby fort with a cave and cisterns at the base. A rock staircase leads to the top). Travel from Kalyan or Karjat to Murbad by bus and then to Khopivali by jeep. Follow an easy route to the base of Gorakhgad.

Reach the Gorakhgad - Machindragad col and climb the ridge to top. The actual final climb is about 30 m. It has a rocky top and is rather difficult to climb. One must go prepared for a rock climb.

**Perfection** · 03-19-2007, 05:23 PM

Travel from Lonavla to Bhamburde and get down at a col for Telbaila by bus (30 km). Reach the base of the final rock wall by 3 km walk by following a road. The twin solid brown massif is comes into view. It offers a tough and interesting rock climbing route.

The upper reaches are exposed and full of scree, and overhang at one place. The overhang is difficult to climb but can be overcomed by borrowing an improvised ladder from the base village. From here one can climb down to the Pali side by Wazri pass to visit Sudhagad fort, Tanale caves and Karsamble caves.

**Perfection** · 03-19-2007, 05:24 PM

Bhairi cave is high up on a rock face with a sharp pinnacle nearby. A giant cave of Bhairav is hewn out in a rock face. It has a water tank and animal sacrifice is still practiced here. On the Chaitra Pournima day every year a fair is held here.

Bhairi pinnacle is 40 m high and is near the cave. It has an easier approach from the east face, while other routes are more challenging. Another pinnacle 100 m higher up towards the ghats also provides a good challenge.

Route 1 : From Karjat (90 km Mumbai on Pune rail route) proceed by bus to Sandshi via Khandpe. A complicated track leads to the base of the cave (4 km). A series of rock steps lead vertically up to the cave. Then steps are blown off in certain sections near the cave making the approach and return difficult and exposed. A 6m rope is fixed to climb to the cave vertically.

Route 2 : From Jambuli (bus from Talegaon near Lonavla), Kopeshwar temple. Traverse along the edge of the ghats between the Bhairi pinnacle and the ghats to descend to the base of the cave.

Route 3 : Another long trek is from Lonavla Tungarli lake on the Rajmachi route and then to Valvand village and to Jambuli. This route takes 12 hour of strenuous trekking. But the beauty of Bhairi cave & pinnacle is a once in a life time experience.