Ishani Sawant represents India in rock climbing at UIAA Global Youth Summit in France
Pune – Ishani Sawant, a young upcoming rock climber and mountaineer from Pune represented India at the International Youth Summit organised by UIAA (Apex International Rock Climbing and Mountaineering Federation) in Toulouse, France last month. Only 15 youth climbers from all over the world were selected by French Alpine Club for a week of “multi-pitch climbing” in Pyereness Mountain Range of France.
Breaking all gender stereotypes and leaving her career in law behind, Ishani is an adventure professional who trains cadets of the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) in climbing, has several records on her name and hasn’t ever let anything or anyone stop her from reaching the top, quite literally. Currently she is conducting adventure events for blind and people with disabilities with Adventures Beyond Barriers Foundation.
Describing her experience, Ishani says, “I got to climb at one of the best climbing crags in South France and on a variety of high quality rock types, every day at new location. I climbed lots of multi-pitch routes ranging from steep gneiss in Genat to the airy limestone cliff at Le Quiè de Sinsat Mountain (853 ft). Most noteworthy was 7 pitch beautiful route at Pic Du Madeleine (875 ft) and soaring granite 12 pitch route of 1400 ft sheer rock climbing at Dent d’Orlu Mountain which is 7777ft high.”
When it was raining after noon, the climbers were given indoor climbing training at artificial climbing wall and on one day taken for canyoneering. She is probably the only Indian to have bagged so many multi-pitch rock climbing summits in Pyerenees Mountain Range, that too in under a week of intense rock climbing.
Multi-pitch climbing is a style of rock climbing where the lead climber climbs, then anchors herself on rock, belays partner to that anchor and then climb continues again. Each stop is one pitch, which may range from 150-250 ft each. Doing a 12 pitch route is a commendable feat, kudos to Ishani.
“It was inspiring to climb with so many climbers, who were climbing really strong and were very supportive. I was psyched to have made it there and got to know more about the technicalities and rope skills which are seldom taught to us here. I could also get to know different culture and exchange about our culture.”
At just 26, Ishani has undergone several national and international trainings and has valid mountaineering and first aid certifications from NOLS USA and Mountain Training UK to safely conduct these adventure activities. She had represented India in UK last year. Sponsorships for these high cost expeditions and courses are very rare so she gives motivational talks in organisations, schools and colleges, takes people on adventures to fund her expeditions.
Ishani has to go back to UK next year to complete her certifications. She says, “Running around for sponsorships is diverting my focus from training and workout and stressing me out. I also loans to payback for courses which I did earlier.”
She wants to specifically thank Vikas Satarkar, Rohit Vartak and Ganesh Geedh for mentoring her.
“I have always believed in Making It Happen… I don’t have climber parents who have taught me since I was a kid and additionally there are so many obstacles coming in the way, people nagging you down, orthodox mind-set of community at large, these just tends to demotivate greatly but having faith in myself and a mad desire to keep climbing doesn’t let me stop… Wish to continue it, for my life!” are her parting remarks.
