Gamgarh, Gabbar, Rck Climbingabbar singh – unarguably the most famous movie character of hindi cinema. Hi abode – Ramgarh a.k.a Ramnagarama – 50 Kms away from Bangalore. anyone who would have seen the movie – and there would not be many Hindi cinema viewer who would have not – can swear by the roky landscape of the place where Gabbar Singh used to unleash his aura of terror, ensuring that only one person could save he denizens of that are from the clutched of terror of Gabbar Singh – the man himself.
Enough of fictitious stories and settings. This time I got a mail from Indian Adventure Club with a plan of rock climbing and rappelling. Not to let the opportunity pass by, I registered myself and three of my other colleagues for the event.
The biggest hurdle was to start early in the morning. Friday night almost all of us 4 could retureto bed at 5 in the morning and we were supposed to start our trip at 7: 30. As it happens with many unrealistic plans it failed. I got up at 8 AM only to find out that others too are just up from the bed and would start from their houses in some time, Some how we could make it to the road before 9 AM and off to our destination.
After some pathfinding exercise, we could reach there finally.The moment we were there, we were in love with the place too. It was a hot day and the rocks were hot but the greenery around made it easier for us to bear the heat. We were expectng the Sholayesque brown setting of landscape but it was quite different there. The green trees and grass were giving a much animated touch to the environment.
Now it was time to learn something about climbing down. Rappelling was the first event we undertook. It looked quitedifficult to climb down – what if ropes are there – looking down itself sends a chill and fear in the spine. But when the real action started, it seemed quiteeasy. Using the techniques of ‘Not looking down’ + holding the rope properly with both the hands + keeping ourselves inclined on the rookhelpedallay the fear and I started enjoying the process. A colleague of mine taught me how to use my hands effectively in controlling my slide. Left hand in front was used for support whereas holding the rope with right hand beindmy back helped me controlling my speed of descend. Once on ground, the thought came “Ohh! it ended so soon?” and immediately it was time for trying it once again.
Rappelling was followed by valley crossing . Crawling under the rope with the support of rope alone seemedtobe an easy task. However the pressure builds up on arms if the momentum is lost once. It happened with me too. A colleague of mine started taking my nas and called my name. I stoppedand looked at him and lo! the momentum was lost completely. It took quite an effort for me to cross the disctance thereafter.
However te toughest was still waiting for us. giving a pass to rock climbing due to excessive heat, we decided on chimneyclimbing. The distance between the two rocks was barely enough for us to stand properly and we were to climb it with only hands and legs as our means. keeping the legs on the rock in front and our backs on the rock behind, we wereto climb the rock at our back side. It was quite difficult to keep control over the rock while pulling the body up. But somehow it was completed with much fun.
By the time we were done withour climb, we were exhausted enough to not to trek and enjoy beneath the ‘Neem kaped’. The cool breeze just made us forget all or tiredness and sleepiness. To top it up, the watchman at the site came rushing to us and started narrating stories of Sholay to us and posed as a guide. He displayed a shred of selflessness by not demanding any money from us ” whatever you give is fine with me” was his statement. But tired enough, we decided to let it be at that and started back for Bangalore.
It indeed was one of the best weekends in the recent times for us. Loosing all energy but regaining freshness we were back to our ‘Karmabhoomy”.
