When: January ‘17
Where: Arun Samant Artificial Rock Climbing Wall
Address: Road No.4, Nandadeep School Playground, Jay Prakash Nagar, Goregaon East, Mumbai
Contact numbers:
Swapnil M Jadhav :- 9702581849
Rahul H Pendse :- 9819260256
Pramod S Chavan :- 9022916922
Nearest railway station: Goregaon
Timing: Morning: Monday to Saturday- 7 am to 9 am
Sunday- 9 am to 11 am
Evening: All week- 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Tuesdays closed
Charges: 50 Rs yearly registration fee & thereafter Rs 70/session. There is also provision for monthly subscriptions.
Account of the trip:
When the plan to start the year with a trek didn’t work out due to some reason, we did the next best thing: Rock climbing! 😀
Our first visit to the Arun Samant Artificial Rock Climbing wall back in April ’16 had been a lot of fun and a second visit was long due!
The Gang: Abhishek, Kuldeep, Omkar Z, Tejas & Me
NOTE:
- All the pictures used in this post have been clicked by me or my friends, unless stated otherwise.
- The information provided in this post is for informational purposes only. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore, strictly at your own risk. For full Disclaimer and Content (including Images) Policy, click here -> Terms of Use.
- Why Rock climbing?
Rock climbing is not only an important skill for every trekker but a great way to burn those calories as well! It also satisfies your craving for adventure without being terribly expensive. After all, who doesn’t like a bit of the good ol’ adrenaline rush? 😉
Of the various rock climbing disciplines popular in India, the Himalayan big wall climbing is probably unrivalled in terms of the combination of skills required to scale them. A famous example of which is the Shark’s Fin route of Meru peak, the first ascent of which was the subject of an award-winning documentary called Meru. Closer home, the formidable Sahyadri range poses challenges in the forms of the destroyed fort of Lingana or the pinnacles of Kalakrai & Hadbi chi Shendi, to name a few.
Even the simpler Sahyadri treks like Harihar, Nakhind, Vikatgad and One tree hill provide plenty of opportunities to learn the ropes of the game on their rock patches. But wouldn’t it be great if there’s a place where one could learn the nuances of this complicated sport in a controlled environment with adequate safety measures? This is where the Arun Samant Artificial Rock climbing wall comes in!
- Information:
Late Arun Padmakar Samant (1948-1999): An alumnus of IIT Bombay and a renowned Himalayan mountaineer, who led many expeditions to the Himalayas and Sahyadris over a span of 30 years. He unfortunately passed away on 31 May 1999 in an expedition to Gya. The wall was erected by his family on the 4th death anniversary in 2003 with the aim of providing an impetus to the sport of rock climbing.
Here is a blog-post dedicated to him by a fellow trekker.
The Outdoor Wall: The 43 feet high wall located in the premises of Nandadeep Vidyalaya (Goregaon East) has something for climbers of every age and ability.
The West face has two beginner routes (with a ledge in the middle of the wall) and a mini roof section to prepare you for the tougher routes whereas the South face has multiple routes along with a overhang and roof section for experienced climbers.
A crack on the side of the wall opens up into a chimney about 15 feet from the ground to mix things up.
Also, the instructors are incredibly patient and helpful to beginners!
The Indoor Wall: There’s a small indoor wall in a room at the back of the outdoor wall along with a fingerboard on the room’s door which can be used to increase grip strength! What more can you ask for? 😀
Some pictures:
Tip: Canvas shoes would be fine if you don’t own a pair of rock climbing shoes just yet. Once you are hooked, it’s well nigh impossible to resist the urge to buy a pair 😉
Article Header Image credit: Brainless Tales
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Cheers!
Keep Trekking
A Season Of Mountains 
Interesting! Trekking is one thing I am not very comfortable with. Some onus to my unfit self and some to the downhill climb that I kind of like to avoid. You seem to be an ardent lover of adventure 😁
I have seen Meru and love that documentary. In fact made many watch it too 👍
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Thank you for visiting my blog 🙂 I was introduced to trekking a couple of years back when I planned and did a trek to Vikatgad with my friends. There was a phase when we didn’t see another human being for 7 hours and still managed to make it through. It just became one of those experiences that sort of flick something inside you which you didn’t know existed and I have been hooked ever since 🙂
P.S I love Meru too! It’s amazing! You might want to check out Touching the void as well. It is harrowing but a great tale of will to survive as well 🙂
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Will do so 👍
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Looks like fun!
P.s. I like your blog title.
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It is great fun! Especially with friends egging you on ☺ The only regret is it’s too far from my place so I don’t get to to do it as often as I ‘ll like to!
And Thank you for reading! 😊
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Sound like you need to move, or set up a place of your own! 😉
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I do! Hopefully very soon! 😁
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I have crazy friend in Mumbai. He has fixed rappelling ropes on his terrace to practice rappelling. Just sent him a link to this one!
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Whoa! That sounds like my future! 😁 Glad to know this post might be useful to him! 🙂
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Cool! Get on with the ropes and terrace soon then! Tell me if you scare the hell out of the security guard! We should have a good laugh! 🙂
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That ‘ll be quite a story! 😂 Wonder what was your was the reaction of your friend’s security guard 🤔 And thanks for the idea- If only I could find the time to chronicle all the hilarious encounters we have durin! treks- it ‘ll warrant a blog of its own! I am sure you ‘ll have some hilarious experiences of your own.. looking forward to reading them! 🙂
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Treks and life while travelling is the real raw experience! It’s like being unplugged! Cheers to being nomads 🙂
Also, my friend’s colony security guard has kind of given up on life now! Ahahahahahha!
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Poor guy! 😂 And Cheers!
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Devil smile 🙂
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P.S. To be honest, I do have plenty of free time 😂 it’s just that it takes me several drafts before I put out a post! 😅 Been writing about Rajgad-Torna for a month now 😂
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Plenty of free time is such a luxury in a world full of rat race! Glad to know you have the time to stop and reflect, dear Nomad!
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The pics of ur treks really looks awesome. Even i should give a try for such adventurous trip……..
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Thank you so much, Prateeti! You should definitely consider visiting Sahyadris! I am sure you won’t be dissappointed.
Cheers & keep exploring! 🙂
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Will surely visit 😊😊
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