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OlympicMtnBoy
climber
Seattle
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 25, 2013 - 09:58pm PT
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Hey Supertacoans! I know it's a bit OT, but a lot of you are well traveled so I thought I'd ask. India seems so big and overwhelming!
My girlfriend and I are going to Bangalore for a friends' wedding in mid-December and we have about a week for wedding stuff and then a couple weeks after that to explore returning just after New Years.
We were thinking of going to Hampi for a couple of days to maybe boulder, but after that we're not sure what to do. Or head south to the jungle preserves instead?
We'd both like to head north to see the Himalaya but it's going to be cold and snowy. I'm not sure what the trekking options might be then? Or other destinations that would be cool around Christmas? It would be cool to get in the mountains as we are both avid climbers/backpackers/etc if it's just hiking to a nice view.
Ideas?
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Oct 25, 2013 - 10:05pm PT
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Mysore is an option from Bangalore. There is also a direct luxery bus to hampi. Don't EVER take a government bus!
If you stay in Hampi cross the river and stay on that side.
If you go to Mysore let me know and I'll connect you with a friend.
Going north at that time is probably to cold.
I'll offer more later. I spent two and a half months over there 2+ years ago. Flew into Bangalore
Feel free to PM me
Find this problem
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=2174143&msg=2174203#msg2174203
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Andrew Barnes
Ice climber
Albany, NY
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Oct 25, 2013 - 11:12pm PT
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There is a great 800 foot granite dome called Savandurga near Bangalore with barely 10 routes on it, if that. This is the best place to climb, it is the real thing, though the bouldering/climbing at Hampi and many other places is also great (and better known). If you are going to Yosemite, you want to climb El Cap. If you are going to Bangalore, you want to climb Savandurga.
Check out [url="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/691250.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.summitpost.org/savandurga/691250&h=1536&w=2048&sz=658&tbnid=eJBNzluflj35_M:&tbnh=91&tbnw=121&zoom=1&usg=__MN5tdXO0nWiK30Kcg14DV9PRIh4=&docid=9_VG"]http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/691250.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.summitpost.org/savandurga/691250&h=1536&w=2048&sz=658&tbnid=eJBNzluflj35_M:&tbnh=91&tbnw=121&zoom=1&usg=__MN5tdXO0nWiK30Kcg14DV9PRIh4=&docid=9_VG[/url] and do a google search.The climbing may be adventurous, and it may take a bit of work getting there, but there are established roads, so this is not remote. I went there with a local fellow, unfortunately I did not have a partner and could not climb this formation.
There is also a lot of unclimbed rock and several similar formations scattered around the region, but climbing on these will entail making first ascents, hence much more work than usual.
Andrew Barnes.
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Jan
Mountain climber
Colorado, Nepal & Okinawa
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Oct 26, 2013 - 02:55am PT
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South India is definitely the place to be in the winter.Except for Darjeeling and Sikkim, I prefer it year round. For cities, Bangalore is very interesting as the new India, Mysore is a beautiful unspoiled jewel of a city, and Cochin on the west is a very interesting and nice place. Lots of history and a boat ride along the canals around Cochin is a different world altogether. Taking a ride up through the hills around Cochin is also interesting as it is the spice growing center of the world. As for Periyer wildlife refuge, we were disappointed at the lack of animals seen. Nepal's Chitwan Park is much better.
One thing to remember about India is that everything takes 2-3 times longer than it would somewhere else so don't over program yourself.Part of the reason it takes longer of course is that the unexpected is constantly happening and rearranging plans. Everyday is an adventure!
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OlympicMtnBoy
climber
Seattle
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 30, 2013 - 11:19pm PT
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Thanks for the tips. I think the only gear we'll be taking is climbing shoes so FA's on that cool looking dome are going to be out for this trip.
I'd still really like to see the Himalaya, even if it's winter. Anyone have any recommendations for the north? We are both avid backcountry skiers, snowshoers, and winter campers so we're not afraid of some snow and cold, but we were hoping to find a trekking company or something to provide support so we don't have to travel all over with winter camping gear and such. It seems a lot of "treks" I've found online sound more like 2-3 mile/day strolls in the foothills.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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Oct 31, 2013 - 12:08am PT
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800 foot granite dome called Savandurga has kind of a SoYo look and feel.
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Oct 31, 2013 - 12:16am PT
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Repeat that Silvia Vidal bigwall before the monsoon season.
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WBraun
climber
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Oct 31, 2013 - 12:40am PT
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India can not be seen with material senses ....
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Jan
Mountain climber
Colorado, Nepal & Okinawa
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Oct 31, 2013 - 12:50am PT
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That's right Werner. India takes every sense you've got and several you didn't know you had. Many days I just have to come back to my hotel room and stare at the white ceiling to rest my overloaded senses. And that's before the really interesting things happen in temples and while visiting Gurus.
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Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
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Oct 31, 2013 - 01:07am PT
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Just saw this.
Well now, no end to what one can do and find in India.
Jan knows it well and her advice is always worth considering as is the nature man.
If you want to see some Mts it certainly is worth heading there. Sure a bit cold but what would one expect at that time of the year. Since you'll be in India the Himalaya here make sense but can be more of a challenge than Nepal. Still lots to check out and many companies have programs that will cover just about anything you want to do. Time and money are the main factors
I've skied up in Gulmarg a number of times in Dec. and it can be pretty good if there is a decent snow covering (as for most places in the N.Hemi. that time of the year).
Gulmarg is in Kashmir about 1.5 hours from the airport in Srinagar (easy to get a cab there that will take up to the area) and has been built up a bit in the last couple years so it isn't like the old days of a 6,5, or even 5 years ago (think the US in the early 50's).
There are some great folks there and you can rent BC gear or boards or whatever. I will say Feb + early March though is killer and I highly recommend the skiing there if anyone can pull off those times!
We teleski and have our own gear but you can pretty much rent any type gear now. Best to contact them first. A link below of some cool folks I'd recommend. They could also set you up I think for some hiking-er, treking.
http://www.kashmiralpine.com/
Another option may be to head to Ladakh but it will be super cold though very few tourist that time of year.
http://www.chriskemperphotography.com/Travel/Ladakh1-India/6402045_HjN2hG#!i=406345050&k=3CrVvgS
Places like the Garhwal himalaya can be accessed as well, but remember these words;
"One thing to remember about India is that everything takes 2-3 times longer than it would somewhere else so don't over program yourself.Part of the reason it takes longer of course is that the unexpected is constantly happening and rearranging plans"
https://www.google.co.in/search?q=garhwal+himalaya&client=firefox-a&hs=7BQ&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=qNNxUpCjM8eVrge7s4CACQ&ved=0CDYQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=576
Jan mentions a few wonderful treks in Nepal, might be worth going there for the bigboys as it is much easier than pulling off the same thing in India.
However Sikkim is a sweet sweet place to visit and you might think about that as well.
http://www.chriskemperphotography.com/Travel/Sikkim-India/16609313_ntKgbm#!i=1251665457&k=RqJcWcH
I can put together some more info when I have time if you like as I have to get back to work now.
cheers
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Jan
Mountain climber
Colorado, Nepal & Okinawa
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Oct 31, 2013 - 01:19am PT
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I was going to mention Darjeeling and Sikkim as well. Darjeeling has great views of Kanchenjunga, a wonderful zoo of rare Himalayan animals that you'll never see otherwise, and the Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering with its unique museum of the early British expeditions to Everest from the Tibetan side.
Sikkim is a spectacular bus ride away and gives you a good taste of Tibetan culture without going to high altitude. It's much warmer than Darjeeling in winter and there are many interesting side trips you can take. Delhi Dog and I had a thread last year on Sikkim which you could look up.
If you do that, don't forget that Sikkim is a restricted area so you will need a special permit in addition to your Indian visa.
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Jan
Mountain climber
Colorado, Nepal & Okinawa
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Oct 31, 2013 - 11:07am PT
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That reminds me. I was at the Temple of Kornarak in Orissa state in eastern India (on the way to Sikkim) which also has statuary like this. Much to my surprise, there was an all India Boy Scout jamboree nearby and thousands of scout patrols were brought to see the temple as a masterpiece of Indian culture. Quite a different heritage than our Puritanical attitudes.
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OlympicMtnBoy
climber
Seattle
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 6, 2013 - 01:27am PT
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I sent you an email Dehli Dog, check your spam box if you don't get it.
So we still haven't picked an exact destination yet but thanks everyone for your input so far!
Has anyone been to Uttaranchal? I heard there was a bunch of flooding there, will access be hard? HarKiDun sounds like it could work in winter and Moosorie might be a bit easier to reach than Manali in Himchal Pradesh.
Or other treks that could work in winter and be done in ~7 days R/T from Dehli?
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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To see Himalayas in December, fly to Nepal. Indian Himalayas are far less accessible at that time of year and you can get into the mountains faster by going to nepal than in India
peace
karl
That dome looks sweet. Gotta know more. Almost looks like you could 3rd class some 5.7 slab FA if you didn't mind dying
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Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
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Did check my mail and saw your note.
Been super busy but I'll try tonight (your morning) to get off a note.
And the Baba is right, given your time frame Nepal is easier, way easier.
It is possible to get a flight direct from Delhi to Nepal and back again (as I understand you will fly home via Delhi).
anyway more later
edit;
Mussoorie is still quite a ways from the mountains. You have pretty nice views for sure, but there is many many hours (days) of funky roads to even get close.
I've ridden my bicycle from there along the ridges and dropped down into the Ganga drainage and down to Rishakesh...long way but a sweet ride
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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This trekking company/guide service would be worth checking out.
Mingmar is a really nice and very experienced guide. I don't have any personal experience with the company though.
Mega Adventures International
Mingmar D. Sherpa - Managing Director
info@megaadventuresintl.com
mingmar@megaadventuresintl.com
http://www.MegaAdventuresIntl.com
P.O. Box 23428
Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Gerald1
climber
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Nov 21, 2013 - 11:50am PT
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Decmber is a perfect time for India cause its the dry season. Hampi is a paradise - for culture and bouldering. there are also quite some routes, most of them cracks which require some gear. But the boulder problems are world class. It is the largest bouldering area of the world and only a small part of it is touched already.
You will find all existing boulders at the new guidebook
http://geoquest-verlag.de/?q=en/node/481
You will find other climbing areas like Badami and Ramanagara for rope climbing. Have fun in India!
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Nov 21, 2013 - 07:07pm PT
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I've been to Agra, New Delhi, Nepal and the Everest Region in January.
Agra weather was pleasant
New Delhi was foggy/smoggy and chilly (largely due to the temperature inversion)
Nepal was really nice (cold at night in KTM) and we had great weather for a week.
It was generally cold in the Himalaya but only really cold above about 8000 feet. We were on the trail for 10 days into Khumbu and camped at Thyangboche without serious discomfort.
We went in January because the Himalaya generally have stable weather at that time. 1985 was an exception, we got hit with a very heavy snowstorm at Thyangboche and freezing weather for a week. Lukla airport was unusable for 4 days while we were there. Only climbers were able to get from Pheriche to Everest Base Camp.
This was unusual. This was the same storm that defeated a British Expedition to Everest SW Face while we were there. They too had anticipated stable weather.
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