UKC

Bouldering in Hampi, India Destination Guide

© Nick Brown

I write this guide with a slight caveat; Hampi is going to change drastically in the next couple of years. Under the guise of the area being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, all of the guesthouses within a 7-8km radius around the main temple area are going to be knocked down. This is an attempt to 'encourage' tourists to stay in Hospet, the nearest large town roughly half an hour away. Unfortunately, it's all very shady and underhand; a very sad end to many of the businesses that have flourished over the past couple of decades.

One of the guesthouses, Goan Corner, has a final appeal at the Supreme Court which they are not overly confident of winning. So it is likely that either this winter or next, there will be nowhere to stay in Hampi. Ultimately, what many guesthouse owners want to do is to set up new businesses outside of the 7-8km radius and continue to cater to the climbers that have been visiting the area for decades. Hopefully they will have some success and create a new hub for climbers, albeit in a different area - there's certainly enough rock...

Endless Boulders  © Nick Brown
Endless Boulders
© Nick Brown

Hampi is the Ancient southern capital of the Vijayanangara Empire and in the 1400s was home to nearly half a million people, before being sacked in the mid 1500s by Muslims from the Deccan Plateau. It is now a small town home to tourism dependant businesses and farmers. Climbers have been visiting Hampi since the 1980s, but the area really only became popular after Big Up Productions made the film 'Pilgrimage' featuring Chris Sharma.

The first thing you notice when you wake up on the train or bus that is taking you to Hospet, is the amount of granite surrounding you is gradually increasing. Miles and miles of huge boulders and monoliths scatter the truly breathtaking landscape. I've heard it been described as 'the size of Yorkshire and fully of boulders' - by a Yorkshireman obviously. To get some context of what the biggest bouldering area in the world looks like, climb one of the large hills at sunset and gaze out over the Boulderer's Empire.

The main temple area of Hampi  © Nick Brown
The main temple area of Hampi
© Nick Brown

Top Tips for Hampi

  • Don't drink the water - Every time someone tried the tap water they were sick. If you are in Hampi for a while, buy one of the huge water containers and refill the same bottle to save plastic.
  • Take finger tape - lots of it! - Hampi is extremely sharp, so it's worth pacing yourself in the first few days to let your skin harden. Flappers are common though - be prepared!
  • Watch Sunset at the Hanuman Temple - Pilgrims travel from all over India to visit the birthplace of Hanuman, the monkey god. According to Hindu mythology, Hanuman created the granite landscape when he got into a fight and began hurling boulders everywhere. It's also a spectacular vantage point for sunrise or sunset or to get a good view of the vast granite landscape.
  • Respect the local customs - Alcohol is prohibited in Hampi, although it is possible to find in restaurants and guesthouses. Be respectful and don't get utterly leathered.
Ramon from Mexico climbing in the evening session  © Nick Brown
Ramon from Mexico climbing in the evening session
© Nick Brown
Elias from Finland committing to the top moves of Cosmic Crimp (6B+)  © Nick Brown
Elias from Finland committing to the top moves of Cosmic Crimp (6B+)
© Nick Brown
photo
There are a great range of low to very high problems
© Nick Brown
Will Abbott testing the durability of his skin on Surfer's Traverse (7C)  © Nick Brown
Will Abbott testing the durability of his skin on Surfer's Traverse (7C)
© Nick Brown

Hampi is split by the Tungabhadra River and when the climbing was first developed it was on the temple side. Now almost all climbers stay on the opposite side of the river on 'Hampi Island.' When you get the boat to the Island, it's like entering an oasis of calm, especially if you have been travelling for a few days. Many of the guesthouses have bouldering pads that you can rent, and there's also a couple of climbing shops open where you can buy essentials such as chalk and tape. Hampi Island is also a great place to meet people to go climbing with, making the destination perfect for a solo traveller.

Climbing starts early in the morning to make the most of the cooler conditions. We were getting up at around 5:30am, having a quick breakfast of porridge and tea, then heading out and bouldering until 11 O'Clock. After this it simply becomes too hot and most climbers retreat to their guesthouses for some food and a few hours in a hammock. At about 4 O'Clock it has cooled down enough to consider climbing again, although it's worth tapering your expectations and choosing your problems wisely because the rock has been baking in the sun all day.

As mentioned previously, the rock is sharp. Very sharp. The closest comparison I can think of is Bishop. When you first start climbing, take it slow; not too many dynamic moves, careful on the sharp holds and it's worth using sand paper to remove little flaps of skin that will only get worse. If you've played the first few days right, then after a rest day you should have some rhino hide instead of finger tips.

Beware of the small crimps  © Nick Brown
Beware of the small crimps
© Nick Brown

Whilst being known for the sharp, brutal crimps, Hampi has a wide variety of different climbing and often some of the best problems are at the 'slopier ' end of the spectrum. Around the river there are a handful of climbs on beautiful water-washed grey granite. There are stunning sharp and slopey aretes and lots of very technical slabs. It's a very diverse climbing area with a wide range of grades, different styles and heights.

A great option in Hampi is to head off the beaten track. It is without doubt and by some margin, the largest bouldering area in the world. Only a small amount of bouldering has been developed relative to the area's size. To develop a new area, it's worth hiring a scooter and driving for about 15 minutes in any direction and you will undoubtedly come across some new climbing.

An early morning battle for Keiha Dhruev  © Nick Brown
An early morning battle for Keiha Dhruev
© Nick Brown

Hampi highballing at it's best - Cosmic Crimp (6B+)  © Nick Brown
Hampi highballing at it's best - Cosmic Crimp (6B+)
© Nick Brown

Must Do's

  • An easy circuit on the Rishimuk Plateau - Lots of great problems at a reasonable height and good landings. A perfect place for your first session in Hampi to acquire your granite skillset.
  • Sunsloper (f6A+) 6A+ - A typical Hampi problem; crimps to a mantle.
  • Kurt's Mantle (f6B) 6B - A frustrating addition by Kurt Albert
  • Cosmic Crimp (f6B+) 6B+ - Hampi Highballing at its best. Just commit, you'll be fine.
  • Cosmic Friction (f6C) 6C - Possibly the hardest problem in Hampi, unless you can do it.
  • 90 Degree Arete 7A - A stunning arete, surrounded by picturesque rice paddies.
  • Double Tap (f7B) 7B - Beautiful rock and a great thuggy slap.
  • Goan Corner (f7B+) 7B+ - A slopey arete with a tricky finish on some of the best rock in Hampi.
  • Surfer's Traverse AKA Surface Traverse (f7C) 7C - A crimpy, power endurance test piece
  • The Middle Way (f8A) 8A - The perfect boulder? Chris Sharma's masterpiece.

Expect a show-stopping sunset every night  © Nick Brown
Expect a show-stopping sunset every night
© Nick Brown

Sharmilla - the cheeky owner of Goan Corner  © Nick Brown
Sharmilla - the cheeky owner of Goan Corner
© Nick Brown
The future of Indian climbing  © Nick Brown
The future of Indian climbing
© Nick Brown


Logistics

When to Go

December and January are the best times as it's the coolest time of the year and extremely unlikely to rain. People climb in November and February too, but expect extreme heat!

How to Get There

The easiest option is to fly to Bangalore and then get an overnight train or bus to Hospet (the nearest big town to Hampi). Many people fly to Mumbai or Goa, it takes a bit longer but you get to see more of India! From Hospet, hire a Rickshaw and you should be in Hampi within half an hour.

Accommodation Advertise here

No Premier Listings found in this area

Most climbers stay on Hampi island, which is easy to get to via a boat that runs throughout the day (about 20p). Goan Corner is the most popular guesthouse for climbers, as they hire crashpads, make incredible food and have a very charismatic owner. They cater for all budgets, from about £2/night (sleeping on the roof) all the way to £10/night (en-suite, double bed). There are many other guesthouses on both sides of the river, offering accommodation for all budgets.

Food

Without resorting to over-exaggeration, Hampi has the best food I have ever eaten. It's not like Indian food in the UK. Expect a perfect blend of herbs and spices in a wide range of vegetable and meatdishes, fresh breads and tasty lassies. Be careful what you eat initially and avoid washed salads, meat and dairy. Although most guesthouses and restaurants are very clean and you are unlikely to get Dehli Belly from the food - avoid tap water.

Gear

Many guesthouses rent climbing equipment. There is a very useful shop run by two local climbers Tom and Jerry and they sell and hire most of the equipment you will need in Hampi. Crash pad hire is roughly about £1/day.

Outdoor Shops Advertise here

No Premier Listings found in this area

Guidebooks

The most recent guide Golden Boulders was written by the German publishing company GeoQuest and they have done a good job of researching a huge amount of problems from the past few decades. Hampi is a strange area; there are very few locals, meaning that when new climbing is developed the information is very likely to travel home with the first ascentionist.

Instructor/Guides Advertise here

No Premier Listings found in this area

Other Activities

There are incredible Hindu ruins everywhere you look. The Hanuman Temple was a personal favourite, but there are many more. It's worth buying a Lonely Planet for Southern India, as it has a large section on Hampi. Other rest day activites include hiring scooters and heading to the resevoir for a swim, attending a Yoga class and eating in one of the many incredible restaurants that Hampi has to offer.

Travelling in India

It's worth packing things like disinfectant spray, immodium and electrolyte powder. Although Hampi is generally clean, being sick in India is a common occurence.

Beware of stray dogs and bats, most are friendly but they can carry rabies.

India is a very conservative country and female travellers should be aware that their attire and behaviour are likely to be observed closely. Hampi is used to tourists and as such is a bit of a bubble, but elsewhere in India be mindful of what you wear as unwanted attention from men is a common problem, although quite avoidable. The Lonely Planet has some handy tips for women travellers.





9 Jan, 2017
Miss this place so much, can't wait to get back there next year hopefully. Psyched that you've listed cosmic friction as possibly one of the hardest climbs there as i've actually done it and watched plenty of much much better climbers than me unable to step onto the first move 😜
10 Jan, 2017
If anyone wants my copy of the bouldering & climbing guide to this place get in touch. kinderguide@hotmail.com
10 Jan, 2017
This place looks amazing, thanks for the article, a real shame about the politics.
24 Jan, 2017
Any idea where to look for updates on the guesthouse situation? Thanks
11 Feb, 2017
Goan Corner fb page? The staff there are really nice.
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