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Though it can get hot outdoors at mid-day, climbing is enjoyable in early mornings and late afternoons. Start early and get some two hours’ activity (walking to the rocks from your tent or rest house and doing a warm-up climb followed by a tough climb) before a mid-morning breakfast. Climb a little more (this is when you can push yourself most) until the noon sun drives you to lunch and rest in the shade of caves or bushes.
This time can be used for theory work (knots, safety, methods of setting up belays and placing protection). In the late afternoon, do some more climbing and wrap up in time to walk back, bathe and have tea and then explore the area — there are often temples, interesting rock or tree formations or legendary sites that locals know about.
A word of caution about climbing in the late afternoon: Accidents and falls can happen because everyone is fatigued after an entire day spent under the scorching sun, but the temptation to do “one last climb for the road” is too much.
Resist the temptation if you are tired — and this applies not just to lead climbers but also to people belaying because it is easy to let the mind wander to another place and another time, or the eye to settle momentarily on something distracting because a tired mind and body looks forward to be soothed.
However, even that brief lapse of concentration can be devastating if it happens at a crucial moment for the climber you are belaying. You are the best judge of how tired you are and whether it can be dangerous for you to continue.
There is no special clothing for rock climbing but your clothes must not restrict movement. Tight jeans are not advisable. Wear track pants (but not wide-bottomed) so that you can lift your knee to your chest and crouch with your knees wide apart.
Shorts (even the skin-tight, satin-sheen bicycle shorts that make you look sexy even if you don’t have a great build!) are fine but not for beginners because they don’t protect you from injuring your knees. T-shirts with long-sleeves can protect elbows.
A cardinal rule for safety: Remove all rings, watches, bracelets (plastic bands are okay), necklaces and chains. Small stud earrings can be worn. Ace women rock climbers wear danglers when they are being filmed and so can you but only after you ace it!
Everyone begins rock-climbing with sneakers. Only if you get hooked on to rock climbing should you buy your own PA shoes (rock climbing shoes with smooth soles) because they are pretty expensive. Other necessary gear – chalk bag for sweaty hands, harness, ropes, tapes, slings and hardwear (metal carabiners, pitons, belaying devices) – is generally provided by the club holding the course.
Tip: To find an adventure club or an enthusiast, go to an association involved with something other than the popular mainstream sports and you will get leads into the adventure world. I have found that water sports or martial arts enthusiasts generally know people connected to adventure sports.
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