Go back to India.
Go back to Bangalore Part Two.
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0612-2-300x225.jpg)
BM Betta Formation.
On our third day in Bangalore, we headed out to Bananthimari (or BM) Betta formation and climbed the very nice High Lonesome route, a 7-pitch 5.9 (with the opening pitch setting the grade; rest is no harder than 5.7 – 5.8). Beautiful wall and fun climbing. We wanted to go back to Savandurga the following day but, as it turned out, a person went missing on the very day that we were chickening out from our first attempt on a route there; and so the already precarious access became impossible with all the search and rescue personnel converging on the area. Few days later we’d learn that the person (not a climber) had in fact perished.
Photos
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0574-1024x768.jpg)
Morning drive to the Bananthimari (or BM) Betta formation trailhead. Farmers are threshing the grains by having cars driver over them (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0578-1024x768.jpg)
On the drive to BM Betta trailhead (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0579-1024x768.jpg)
Picking up some snacks for the day (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0580-1024x768.jpg)
On the way to BM Betta (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0581-1024x768.jpg)
Along the drive (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0588-768x1024.jpg)
Silkworm farming equipment (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0590-1024x768.jpg)
Morning activity in the villages (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0594-1024x768.jpg)
Village life (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0598-1024x768.jpg)
At the trailhead for BM Betta (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0610-2-1024x768.jpg)
Cool little ridge (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0606-1024x768.jpg)
On approach to Bananthimari (or BM) Betta formation (in background) and its High Lonesome route (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0612-2-1024x768.jpg)
Just gotta cross that little band of vegetation; a recurring theme of this trip (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0614-768x1024.jpg)
The vegetation band turned out to have a decent trail through it (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_1983-768x1024.jpg)
Leading pitch 1 (crux) of High Lonesome belayed by Shirley. Photo by Pranee (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_1987-768x1024.jpg)
More pitch 1 action. Photo courtesy of Pranee (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_1991-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley belaying me on the first pitch of High Lonesome. Photo by Pranee (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7671-1024x768.jpg)
Higher on pitch 1 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7842-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley starting up High Lonesome with Pranee taking photos from below (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_2003-2-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley starting. Photo by Pranee (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7853-1024x768.jpg)
Pitch 1 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_2014-2-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley high on pitch 1 (with me at the belay). Photo by Pranee (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7680-2-1024x768.jpg)
Starting up pitch 2 of High Lonesome (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7682-1024x768.jpg)
Higher on pitch 2 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7858-2-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley starting pitch 2 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7878-1024x768.jpg)
Views down valley from low on High Lonesome (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7873-1024x768.jpg)
Higher on pitch 2 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7886-1024x768.jpg)
And looking the other way (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7686-2-768x1024.jpg)
Starting up pitch 3 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7690-2-1024x768.jpg)
Higher on pitch 3 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7890-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley starting up pitch 3 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_2025-768x1024.jpg)
Long range shot of us on pitch 3 by either Pranee or Punit (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7900-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley arriving at the third belay (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_2031-2-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley and I at the third belay. Photo by Pranee or Punit (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7692-768x1024.jpg)
Leading pitch 4 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0618-768x1024.jpg)
And an extra close look (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7906-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley starting up pitch 4 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7913-768x1024.jpg)
More pitch 4 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7925-768x1024.jpg)
Sea of granite and the fourth belay (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7696-1024x768.jpg)
Starting up pitch 5 of High Lonesome (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7698-1024x768.jpg)
Higher on pitch 5 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7932-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley on pitch 5 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7929-2-1024x768.jpg)
Improving views; this was probably taken at the fifth belay (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7952-2-1024x768.jpg)
Nearing the fifth belay (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7955-1024x768.jpg)
Pranee and Punit down below (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7956-2-1024x768.jpg)
Spying on our friends (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7700-1024x768.jpg)
Pitch 6 of High Lonesome (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7963-768x1024.jpg)
Looking back at Shirley from the lead of pitch 6 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7984-768x1024.jpg)
Topping out on pitch 6 (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7709-768x1024.jpg)
Leading pitch 7 of High Lonesome (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7995-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley belaying me on the 7th and final pitch (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7999-1024x768.jpg)
Top of the route. Just a little 3rd class section separates us from the hiking terrain (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8000-1024x768.jpg)
The views (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8002-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley topping out on the route (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0621-2-1024x768.jpg)
Pranee hiking the summit ridge of BM Betta formation. Photo by Punit. Shirley and I are finishing up the High Lonesome route (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0626-2-1024x768.jpg)
Yours truly (yellow shirt) atop High Lonesome. Photo by Punit (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8007-768x1024.jpg)
Scrambling to the hike-off (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8013-1024x768.jpg)
But first, a selfie (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7728-1024x768.jpg)
Villages below (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7721-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley at the top-out point of High Lonesome (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8010-1024x768.jpg)
Starting the hike down (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8016-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley and some thorny shrubbery (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7719-1024x768.jpg)
Summit views (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7723-2-1024x768.jpg)
A closer look at some nice looking granite (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8018-1024x768.jpg)
On the hike down (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8020-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley on the summit ridge (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_8024-1024x768.jpg)
More of the hike down (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_2043-2-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley and I hiking down from the top of High Lonesome. Photo by Pranee who, along with Punit, hiked up and met us along the summit ridge of BM Betta (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0634-1024x768.jpg)
More summit ridge views (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0628-1024x768.jpg)
Zoomed in (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0640-2-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley and Pranee hiking down (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0642-2-1024x768.jpg)
A vine snake. This is the harmless Asian variety; not to be confused with the highly venomous South African one (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0650-1024x768.jpg)
Along the drive back to our farmhouse (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0651-2-1024x768.jpg)
Not happy with junior (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0659-2-1024x768.jpg)
A bit more of the drama (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0662-1024x768.jpg)
A temple in a village along the drive (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0676-2-1024x768.jpg)
The town of Ramangara (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0679-1024x768.jpg)
Back at our rented farmhouse just outside of Ramangara (Dec. 2023).
![High Lonesome](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0680-1024x768.jpg)
Farmhouse grounds (Dec. 2023).
![Bangalore](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0684-3-1024x768.jpg)
Look at that pool (Dec. 2023).
Go to Bangalore Part Four.
Go back to India.