Why hike to the top when you can climb!

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Rock-climbing is a sport where your objective is to climb a rock-face, gripping the holds and cracks on the rock with your hands and feet and reach the anchor/top. There are three types of rock-climbing - top-rope, lead-sport/traditional (trad) and free-solo. All but free-solo require the use of ropes, harness, a belay device, protection-gear like quick-draws for sport/cams for trad and an anchor; free solo means climbing the rock without any of that. You need to have requisite training, skills and knowledge to partake in rock-climbing, as the danger of a life-threatening injury always looms if you do not adhere to the safety measures and procedures involved. Rock climbing requires one to be physically fit and mentally calm, as sustaining yourself on the rock and finding the right holds would certainly need that.

The course will give you an insight into the sport of rock-climbing and impart the skills and knowledge required for top-rope climbing. On successful completion of the course, you should be able to belay and lower your partner on top-rope, set-up and clean top-rope anchors and rappel down. You will get to know effective and efficient ways to manage your progress on the rock.

This course is suitable for all, though, prior experience with tough scrambles might come handy. This course is also for those who have some experience in top-rope climbing and wish to hone their skills further. Physical fitness will certainly help you manage your progress on the rock.

1) Essential rope skills/ knots/ gear required for top rope climbing.

2) Belaying and lowering techniques/ top-rope anchor-building and cleaning.

3) Various kinds of hand and foot-holds that can manage your progress on the rock better.

4) Climbing single-pitch routes of various difficulties. If the group's skill-level and confidence are in line with our expectations, then we might introduce them to a multi-pitch route (2-3 pitches)!

 Day 1 - Travel from Shimla to Kafnu on our transport. Relax for the night in Kafnu.

Day 2 - Get to know the gear required for top-rope/ learn the essential rope-skills and knots required for rock-climbing/ travel to Homte and set up a camp/ learn and practice top-rope belaying and lowering techniques/ learn major hand and foot holds used/ practice rock climbing

Day 3 - Learn about different anchor types/ setting anchors for top-rope/ cleaning anchors and rapelling/ practice more rock-climbing

Day 4 - Depending upon group's skill level and confidence, we might introduce the group to a short multi-pitch climb. Else, we are going to put all that we have learned to practice and do more rock-climbing/ assessment and feedback session/ certificate distribution

Day 5 - head back to Shimla on our transport.

Includes -- Rock climbing gear + stay + breakfast/lunch/dinner (dinner for day 1 and breakfast for day 5) + morning and evening tea & snacks (evening tea and snacks for Day 1 + morning tea & snacks for Day 5) + basic first aid + course material + Dare The Himalayas hat

Does not include -- backpack, rock-climbing shoes and the list of items that the participant needs to get on their own (will be emailed after the booking is confirmed) + Intermittent snacks + medicines/medical equipment needed outside of first-aid + any  travel other than from Shimla to Kafnu and Kafnu to Shimla + Trip insurance + emergency rescue/evacuation

If number of participants is less than 5, then that would call for a customized course, where the cost would go up proportionately.