Flashback time.
A client just called, asking for rock climbing training. He wanted to learn, but he was alone and didn’t have anyone to share the price of sessions with. I was wondering what to do, as we also are really packed with work, when I remembered the date. It is December. The time of the glorious rock climbing camp tradition started by Girivihar way long ago, long before I took my first uncertain steps on a mountain even.
This is where I first learnt to climb. It was an annual routine. Every year, members of this club take time off from the 24th to the 29th of December (regardless of day of the week), and volunteer their efforts to teach the new generation of enthusiasts the fine art of climbing. This volunteering of effort and extremely basic facilities make the camp affordable to many young climbers (young climbers are always broke - they spend their money on heading out every weekend). When I did the camp, I paid Rs. 350/- as fees (or was it Rs. 550/- I don’t remember).
A lot has changed since then. Our old venue - Kanheri Caves is no longer available to us, where we could avail of really cheap accommodation (a government bunglow, which was basically two huge empty rooms). The camps now take place at CBD Belapur and 14 years later, cost Rs. 2,000/- and should be well worth every rupee paid.
I did the unthinkable. I forwarded a professional client to the place I learnt in. There is no way I can match the level of instruction, hard core climbing ambience, and the company of fellow enthusiasts for that kind of a price. I would love to attend it myself again, for the experience.
May this tradition of old mountaineers dedicating time each year to produce new ones live long!
Those who are interested in this years camps, may download the file here - Girivihar’s 35th Annual Rock Climbing Camp - Entry form
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