Go back to India.
Go back to Bangalore Part Four.
The Achalu Formation.
One day later, we went for the final route on our list: the four pitch Broomberg (5.9) on the Achalu formation. Very fun climbing on a pretty looking dome. The last pitch has a reputation of being very flakey (if well protected). In fact, by the time we did the route the final pitch must’ve cleaned up already: fun, Smith Rock-style edging in a cool position.
Photos
On the morning drive to Achalu formation; visible in background (Dec. 2023).
The approach starts in a village (Dec. 2023).
The Achalu formation (Dec. 2023).
Pranee, Punit, and Shirley (Dec. 2023).
There she is. Broomberg route follows the left skyline (Dec. 2023).
A closer look (Dec. 2023).
Starting up pitch 1 of Broomberg on Achalu (Dec. 2023).
Roughly at the first pitch belay; linked this with the second pitch (Dec. 2023).
Shirley starting up pitch 1 of Broomberg (Dec. 2023).
Views from the second belay on Broomberg (Dec. 2023).
More of Shirley on pitches 1 and 2 (Dec. 2023).
Arriving at the second belay. Good climbing (Dec. 2023).
Starting up pitch 3 (Dec. 2023).
Looking back at Shirley from the lead of the steeper pitch 3 (Dec. 2023).
Just past the (reported) crux move of the route (Dec. 2023).
Pitch 3 (Dec. 2023).
Man, look at all those lovely formations (Dec. 2023).
More views (Dec. 2023).
More pitch 3 action (Dec. 2023).
Shirley on pitch 3. Punit and Pranee are visible on the boulder below (Dec. 2023).
Starting up the enjoyable pitch 4 of Broomberg (Dec. 2023).
Looking back at Shirley from the lead of pitch 4 (Dec. 2023).
Higher on pitch 4 (Dec. 2023).
Views from the top of the route. It’s a low 5th scramble to the summit of the dome which we did not do (Dec. 2023).
Shirley low on pitch 4 (Dec. 2023).
Some fauna seen from top of the route (Dec. 2023).
Our route companion. Is that a falcon?
Same guy. Gal? Them?
Enjoying Smith Rock-like edging on pitch 4 (Dec. 2023).
A closer look at a village below (Dec. 2023).
Pitch 4 of Broomberg (Dec. 2023).
Nearing the fourth belay (Dec. 2023).
Shirley topping out on Broomberg (Dec. 2023).
Beginning the descent from Achalu (Dec. 2023).
Views got clearer later in the morning as we were coming down (Dec. 2023).
Rapping the third pitch. The climbing path itself is actually clean of vegetation (Dec. 2023).
Almost Kingfisher time (Dec. 2023).
Crisper views (Dec. 2023).
Post-climb group shot. Punit’s on the left and Pranee’s on the right (Dec. 2023).
Shirley on the hike back (Dec. 2023).
Back in the village (Dec. 2023).
Village sights (Dec. 2023).
Look at those eyelashes (Dec. 2023).
Sizable and probably dead (Dec. 2023).
Oh my cuteness (Dec. 2023).
Spicy spicy drying out (Dec. 2023).
Go to Bangalore To Lonavala.
Go back to India.