Rock Climbing

In the Footholds of Hanuman

Rock climbing in Sri Lanka goes back to antiquity with the story of Hanuman the monkey-general contained in the Indian epic, the Ramayana. Hanuman searched the island for the princess Sita, abducted by Ravanna, demon-king of Lanka. In doing so Hanuman climbed the peaks of the central massif while dodging the fire arrows of his pursuers. Thankfully, rock climbing today is less stressful.

by Jayanthi Kuru-Urumpala

Hanging off the edge of a 20-metre vertical rock face, you feel as if you are on top of the world. Not only do you get a bird's eye view of your surroundings, but you also feel a sense of achievement and fulfilment after a successful climb. Although some may argue that it's easier to just find a small footpath and walk to the top, the actual thrill of rock climbing can only be guaranteed if you climb your way to the top. Sounds impossible? Not really. If you've never done it before, take the challenge and give it a try.

Before climbing, however, it is imperative that you do some basic stretch exercises to warm up your muscles. Rock climbing is a sport that requires you to use almost all your muscles, including the ones you never knew you had! Make sure you pay extra attention to the muscles on your arms, shoulders, thighs and calves while warming up.

Wearing suitable clothes is also important. Jeans should be avoided under any circumstance because they restrict your movement. Long shorts or loose three-quarter pants are recommended as they provide maximum flexibility and protect your knees from getting bruised. Also keep in mind when choosing what you wear that you need to be able to bend your knees easily.

You will also have to wear a climbing harness, which will be provided by the adventure company you choose to go climbing with. Make sure your climbing instructor checks your harness before you take off. A loose strap could be disastrous, even fatal. Climbing shoes are an added advantage as they give you a better grip, often making your feet act like extra hands. Choose a pair that fits you well – they should not be too tight or too loose. Most companies offering climbing activities often provide the shoes. However, if they are not available, a light pair of running shoes or sneakers would do just fine. A chalk bag (a small pouch containing chalk powder that can be strapped onto the back of your climbing harness) also comes in handy if you have sweaty fingers.

As for safety issues, unless you're a professional climber, make sure that you have someone to belay you while you climb. This basically means that you are attached to a safety rope which is attached to the person belaying you, whose task is to support you in case you fall. So in case you loose your grip and fall while climbing, you do not come crashing to the ground but instead remain suspended in the air. This is often the ideal time to take a good look around you and enjoy the view wherever you are! Wearing a climbing helmet is also a must, especially if you are climbing a natural rock. This is to prevent getting injured from rocks which could come loose while climbing.

Always try and select your route before climbing. Look out for cracks, ridges, projections or any sort of ledge in the rock that could be possible handholds or footholds and decide on a route. A basic rule in climbing is to make sure you have three-point contact with the rock at all times. This means that three points of your body (namely your limbs) are always in contact with the rock. Also try to keep your body straight and parallel to the rock; it should never be too near or too far from the rock. If you find a crack in the rock, jam your hand into it if its big enough, or your finger(s) if its not too big, and pull yourself up while at the same time pushing your body up with your feet. Even a tiny protrusion in the rock could work wonders. If you can grip it with the tips of your fingers, just do so and haul yourself up. Always look for resting points along the way – if you find a good spot to stand on, take the chance and rest your arms. If you feel like giving up, remind yourself that a bird's eye view awaits you at the top, and that giving up is not an option. But of course, if your muscles have totally given up on you and you can't move an inch further, do not despair – your belayer can slowly let you down to the ground.

The Yosemite National Park in California has been named as one of the best rock climbing sites in the world. But take heart, rock climbing is now available in Sri Lanka as well. Two rock climbing sites are located at Hanwella and at Avissawella. Both locations are about an hour's drive from Colombo and offer excellent climbs. Each site offers about four to five routes ranging from beginner to intermediate to advanced climbs.

A recent attraction for Sri Lanka's rock climbers is the artificial climbing wall (also known as the Sports Climbing Wall) set up at Excel World in Colombo. This construction provides six routes, with a range of easy and difficult climbs, including an overhang. While the natural rock offers you a varied number of hand- and footholds, the Sports Climbing Wall requires more technique, since all the grips are already in place. This would therefore require that you select your route before you start to climb.

Climbing is an excellent way to keep fit. Not only does it help you work out your arm and thigh muscles, but it also exercises every muscle on each finger. There is nothing to beat the exhilaration you feel when you get to the top of what originally seemed like an impossible climb. I personally prefer climbing the natural rock as the sense of being one with the environment and surrounding is breathtaking. The rock often surprises you by providing you with a hand- or foot-hold just when you were thinking of giving up. Also at times you may feel the climb is easy and reach out for a hold which looks perfect, but upon getting there realise that it's hardly a grip which can be used; merely a joke played by the rock on you. Part of the thrill and part of the challenge is that you can never accurately pre-plan and work out the course; rather it is the course that works you out.

Visit travelsrilanka.com for information on other activities in Sri Lanka
