India

Bansa Hill – February 2023

Todd and Donette returned to India in February, 2023. They met their friend, Mohit Oberoi, in Ranchi and traveled about two hours east to the town of Tulin in the western part of West Bengal state. Over 10 days the trio established three long routes on the granite dome of Bansa Hill. Donette and Todd established The Lounging Langurs (5.7+, 7 pitches, 850 feet) and The Soaring Kite (5.8, 7 pitches, 850 feet), while Mohit and friends did Welcome to Bansa (5.8, 800 feet).

After their time in West Bengal, Donette and Todd flew to Mumbai and did an early morning tour of the fish, produce and flower markets. It was then on to Aurangabad to visit the World Heritage Sites of Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves. These sites are temples carved into basalt cliffs, a bit like Petra in Jordan. Truly amazing.

From Aurangabad, it was back to Delhi to attend the annual climbing festival, Gritfest, at a climbing area south of the city. The couple taught a trad climbing clinic and gave a slideshow during the festival.