Challenging the spirit for exploring new heights, to boost the boundless imagination to obtain ultimate adrenalin rush is what the sport of rock climbing is all about. Some rock climbers define it as an adventure of the greatest magnitude and some a fight against self, against the elements where the ultimate goal is to is to reach the pinnacle. Rock climbing puts to test one’s strength, concentration and coordination. For those who love to conquer new heights, take challenges and live for excitement, rock climbing is an ideal sport.

Rock climbing is a mountain based adventure sport. Rock climbers generally define three different styles of climbing; Free climbing, Aid climbing and combination of Free and Aid climbing.  When a climber depends totally on his skills and performs the sport without any technical equipment then it’s called Free Climbing. Practicing rock climbing using technical instruments to reach the summit is known as Aid Climbing. As the name suggests a combination of Free and Aid climbing is where climbers climbs some part with equipments and some without them. The equipments required for rock climbing are ascenders, climbing rope, helmets, karabiner, chalk harness, harness seat, nut, cliff-hanger, climbing shoes and tape slings. 

Rock climbing has always fascinated adventure sport enthusiasts. It’s a sport which gives thrill and a sense of achievement. It teaches to maintain a control over physical as well as mental strength.

India is a wonderful place to practice this sport as it has a good distribution of great climbing rocks all around. Down south there are a number of rock climbing sites around Bangalore like Badami, Ramanagram, Savandurga, Thuralli, Kabbal and many more. Kambakkam close to Chennai and Hampi in Karnataka has some of the best granite rocks in India providing an excellent site for practicing the sport. Going east, close to Calcutta there are some fabulous rock climbing sites like Purulia, Matha Bura, Jai Chandi and Susunia hills. Again if we go west one can practice rock climbing at Kanheri Caves in the Borivilli National Park, Mumbra Boulders and Manori rocks near Mumbai. In Gujarat, Pavagadh is a popular rock climbing destination.  Rajasthan also offers variety of options for rock climbing enthusiasts around Mount Abu, Golen Horn spire and Adhar Devi Slabs.

Some of the best and toughest rock climbing sites are present in North India. The mighty Himalayas have always inspired and challenged rock climbers. In Himachal Pradesh Manali, Dharamshala and the adjoining regions provide excellent sites. New Delhi has also been a good option for rock climbers. There is Lado Sarai, Dhauj and Dam-Dam Lake which are one of the best known rock climbing destinations in India.

So, if you like taking challenges and braving the heights then rock climbing is the perfect sport for you. Select a good climbing location, gather your rock climbing equipment and set out for an unforgettable exhilarating experience

The white snow covered mountains are not only a treat to the eye but also prove to be a great location for some exhilarating adventure sports. Snow skiing is one such exciting sport. It refers to the activity of gliding over the snow with the help of skis on a ski board.

For those who love winters and have a n-ach for adventure sports, skiing serves as the best option. Gliding freely amidst the spectacular terrain, feeling the cool breeze and having a close encounter with nature at its best, is an experience worth treasuring.

Blessed with majestic white mountains and snowy trails, India offers a plethora of wonderful skiing locations.  Jammu and Kashmir, the hills of kumaon, Himachal Pradesh and north eastern states of India have become popular hubs for adventure enthusiasts.

The Himalayan range is undoubtedly one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world, thereby is a perfect site for skiing. The hills here have all the ingredients like unexplored valleys, towering peaks, glaciers with vast tracks of virgin snow and splendid combination of flora and fauna calling you for a breathtaking experience.

Moreover slopes in these skiing locations give an opportunity for enjoying both snow skiing and heli-skiing. The difference between the two is that a helicopter is involved in the latter. The helicopter will drop you to the top of the snow capped peak and from there you have to glide your way downwards. In snow skiing itself you can enjoy both Alpine and Nordic. Wherein you can slide downhill in a straight or zigzag course or jump from an elevated position. Both the types challenge the risk taking explorer in you and guarantee a tremendous adrenaline rush.

Skiing is certainly arousing but at the same time, it can be risky if performed without basic training or guidance. For a content and fun filled experience with skiing make sure to use good quality ski gear. Essential gear for skiing includes skis, ski bindings, ski boots, ski poles, ski wax, ski suit, ski helmet, ski gloves and sunglasses.  With all the gear and precautions in place get ready to glide for an unforgettable experience with the snow

Once upon a time – 1999 – my first backpacking trip officially, albeit without a backpack. Being my first trip out of the country, that too Europe, I think I just wanted to carry my entire room with me. 19 years old and with the recent influence of DDLJ and Kajol’s large suitcase, my story was no different. 6 weeks of lugging around a nightmarishly heavy suitcase and I made up my mind that I would find a way to travel light.

Long long ago – 2005 – my second backpacking trip. It took me all those years to save the money to go back to Europe. I had dramatically changed the way I travel, with bare necessities to last me three weeks. Having moved to Mumbai, not really in a position to afford an international brand, I settled for an unbranded bag from a little store in Matunga. Yes, I managed to completely wear out that backpack, taking it around from the streets of Paris to the national parks of Thailand, from the beaches of Southern Spain to the white waters of Sikkim. But, I hadn’t found my perfect companion in that bag.

Not so long ago – 2008 – Chasing my travel dream of wanting to be on the road for close to a year, I quit my job to head to Latin Ameirca. Enters my first professional yet cool backpack from Wildcraft. Bright orange and large enough to fit what I needed for a year and small enough to carry and throw around anywhere, it was a beauty. From then till date, I have had 3 heart attacks when I felt that my bag wouldn’t survive or my stuff wouldn’t and those were the wildest footprints that my bag and I have taken.

Of course, not all of them are in the wilderness. My first escapade was in the New York Subway of all places. Having landed in JFK, my first stop in this eventful journey, my backpack was unbelievably heavy, with stuff for 6 months. Apart from my own stuff, I was carrying pickle and all those spicy Indian stuff that Indians in the US miss. That was the first thing I had to unload at my friends place in Brooklyn. Anyway, to cut a long story short, amidst all the New Yorkers heading to work at peak hour, I braved the journey and got out with my backpack in one piece, much to the frustration of everyone who I bumped around. As urban as it gets, I learnt that if you can manage your backpack in a crowded metro, you can manage it in the wilderness.

From a sea of people, lets skip to a sandstorm. Stuck with close to 100 Bolivians in a bus that really felt nothing short of a tin can on wheels, I traveled 12 hours over night from La Paz to Uyuni, in the salt plains of Bolivia, with my backpack supposedly safe in the storage compartment below. With a dust storm (even inside the bus) and the freezing cold, I got out of the bus at 4  am, covered in sand and spent the wee hours in a completely deserted street, no pun intended on desert. Battered and disfigured, but holding on. That’s exactly how anyone feels after a few months on the road and I learnt that you just got to keep going on.

A very recent unplanned trip was the trip from Egypt to Jordan. My husband and I were spending two weeks in Egypt and a sudden mad idea struck us and we decided to make a two day trip to Petra in Jordan. Right from the bus ride to the port of Nuweiba, the 10 hour wait in the harbour, the 3 hour ferry ride, the long immigration in Aqaba, the 3 hour drive to Petra and the same journey on the way back including another 10 hour drive back to Cairo was close to 48 hours on the road. With not a single thing going as per expectation, the only thing we did not have to worry about was our bags, our comfort zone.

Very very soon – 2010 – I’m still addicted to backpacking and am headed on an unbelievable adventure to Wales! From bushwhacking to coasteering, I’ll be challenging myself at the Welsh Showdown, a travel blogathon. Join me in this journey at www.backpackingninja.com

]]> http://www.wildcraft.in/blog/wildcraft-story/footprints-with-wildcraft/feed/ 0 http://www.wildcraft.in/blog/wildcraft-story/scuba-diving-exploring-the-mysterious-underwater-2/ http://www.wildcraft.in/blog/wildcraft-story/scuba-diving-exploring-the-mysterious-underwater-2/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:54:00 +0000 Wildcraft http://www.wildcraft.in/blog/?p=274

What can be more fascinating than venturing into the deep blue ocean with its diverse marine life? The joy of watching rich flora and fauna of the sea in their natural habitat is both thrilling and challenging. In addition, the very thought of floating like a fish amidst the mysterious aquatic life is unparalleled.

Scuba diving gives us this chance to delve into the wonders that lie beneath the water’s surface. From oceans and seas to lakes and hidden caves, those who scuba, get a chance to see things that can only be imagined from the land.

The word scuba, as the ardent water sport fan would know, is an acronym for self contained underwater breathing apparatus. It refers to the device used to breathe underwater. Earlier this technique was used for biological or archeological research. But lately it has developed into an exciting water sport and is gaining tremendous popularity.

Exploring the unknown, having a tete-a-tete with diverse marine creatures and   venturing into the untouched, unheard world underwater is what scuba diving is all about. However it can be clubbed with exciting activities like underwater photography and fish identification.

To dive into the mystifying sea of adventure all you need is your scuba diving equipment which includes a wet suit, fin, mask, oxygen cylinder, snorkel, a knife, a pair of leather/canvas gloves, underwater flashlights, dive tables and dive watch. No matter whether you are an amateur or a professional the underwater experience is thrilling at all stages. So just don your scuba gear and get rolling.

Spanning the mighty waters of the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, Indian subcontinent serves an array of some of the finest beaches, cliff promontories, mangroves, backwaters, jewel like island groups and marine life. With all this to offer India has carved a unique niche for itself in the adventure tourism market. The sheer variety of marine life coupled with exceptional locations adds to the ecstasy of water sport enthusiasts.

For a complete and fun filled experience with scuba diving one should take all necessary precautions. In case of beginners, always perform the activity under expert supervision. Danger there is, but only enough to add the sense of adventure and excitement. With your the scuba gear in place you are all set to have an experience of a life time.

There is a whole new world underwater for you to discover, so don’t think, just dive in!

Imagine yourself swinging more than 100 feet above the ocean. As the boat stops, you steadily flow downwards and just when you are about to plunge into the water, the boat zooms again swinging you back into the air.

This is the exhilarating sport of parasailing where you get to fly like a bird with your wings open to capture an experience of a lifetime.

The rider is hitched to a parachute like canopy called as parasail which in turn is attached to a motorboat or a jeep in parasailing.  As the vehicle moves, the parasail soars into the air. All you have to do is snap yourself into a comfortable harness attached to the parasail and enjoy free flying as the vehicle speeds away. Depending upon the length of the tow rope connecting the vehicle to the parasail one can fly up to hundreds of feet in the air.

Parasailing primarily is of two types- Terrestrial and Aquatic. In aquatic parasailing the parasail is attached to a motorboat whereas in terrestrial it’s attached to a jeep. Whatever the type be, the sheer thrill and excitement offered by this sport makes it a popular family sport as well as a hot favorite amongst adventure enthusiasts.

These days parasailing is more of a joyride than a sport. With some basic training and equipments in hand one can experience the thrills offered by it. Some necessary equipment required for parasailing are a parasail chute, harness, rope, yoke, carabineers and a vehicle to which the sail is attached.

India offers a plethora of locations for parasailing. In Maharashtra there is Matheran and Kamshet. Then there are some spectacular beaches in Goa for this sport. Himachal Pradesh in North India encompasses a number of parasailing locations like Kangra Valley, Garhwal, Solan and Kullu. Moving West, Rajasthan again offers wonderful locations like Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Uttranchal is another good location for parasailing in India.

Parasailing provides an enthralling experience where one can transform into a human kite fulfilling the lust of free flying. But make sure to take all precautions so that your parasailing experience is contended and complete. Always use good quality licensed equipments and practice with a certified parasailing company.

So now billowing high into the blue sky is no longer a dream. Try parasailing and feel the vast blue at a hand stretch distance.

The range is priced between Rs 745 and Rs 2,995 and is available across exclusive Wildcraft stores as well as modern trade shop-in-shops. The creative inspiration of this outdoor range comes from MTV’s Streetmuse concept of fashion products. Each product has at least one unique functional element, thus making the range an exciting mix of style and functionality. Viacom18 Senior VP consumer products and communications Sandeep Dahiya who is responsible for the MTV brand said, “We are excited to partner with Wildcraft to enter into yet another important category in the youth space. What makes this range unique is the mix of innovative product features with international creative & design elements.”

Combining contemporary urban designs with Wildcraft’s exceptional workmanship, the range is sure to capture your imagination. So, get out there on the first opportunity you get and look out for the MTV-Wildcraft gear – we know it will make you sing with joy!

The media extensively covered the launch. To catch up with what some of them are saying you could look up the following links: Times of India, IndiaGlitz, IndianTelevision.com, Exchange4Media.com

It was in mid 90’s that we started thinking about a logo for Wildcraft. And it was quite a task – how would we depict what we stood for in one image? The aim (then and now) was to be a trusted outdoor and adventure gear brand. So we definitely needed a dose of adventure in the logo. What kind of adventure was a no-brainer. With Dinesh being a rock climbing and mountaineering enthusiast, it wasn’t hard to short-list climbing as the basic motif behind the logo.

Now for the question, what kind of climbing? For anyone who has ever been bouldering or climbing, the overhang is the toughest kind. When the rock face is angled towards your body you fight gravity (in the form of your own body weight) in its hardest form. And there is no way you can take a break, possible in other grades by leaning against the rock face, while you catch your breath or plan your next move.

It is climbing at its purest and toughest. And that settled it for Wildcraft, as we wished to stand for the same thing: A brand that believed in the purest and toughest forms of adventure, and enabling the outdoor enthusiast with the equipment to take it on.