By Amar Raj Naharki
Tanahun, Mar. 17: Chun Paharo, a limestone cliff located at Bimalnagar in Bandipur Rural Municipality Ward No. 4, Tanahun district, is gradually becoming a hub for adrenalin junkies (people who enjoy intense and thrilling activities), especially rock climbers. The spot is now basking in the newfound popularity as tourists -- both domestic and foreign -- throng the hill to relish rock-climbing adventure.
The tourism sector in the municipality, which bore the maximum brunt of the coronavirus pandemic, is finally waking up from its long slumber. The recent uptick in the number of rock-climbing competitions there has also contributed to reviving tourism. “The rock-climbing training lessons together with competitions organised by Nepal Mountaineering Training Association (NMTA) has helped a lot in making the place a No. 1 destination for adventure seekers,” said Lal Kumar Shrestha, Chairperson of Bimalnagar Siddha Cave Development Committee.
Some 6,000 people visit Chun Paharo annually, and so far over 25,000 people have climbed the rock, according to Shrestha. As per the NMTA, 28 routes across the place have been laid out for rock climbing. A group of senior mountain guides, including Padam Ghale, Sunar Gurung, Prem Gurung and Shree Maharjan, prepared the route before starting rock climbing on July 25 of 2006, in memory of late Iman Singh Gurung, a tourist guide.
“Rock climbing lessons have prompted many to give it a try, which is why many people are thronging the site,” said Coach Pimba Tenzing Lama. “At the moment, 24 trainees are attending a two-week rock climbing training.
“We apply all the necessary equipment to ensure safety. They include helmet, harness, dynamic rope, tape ceiling, carabiner and so on,” explained Trainer Anup Gurung.
According to Ramila Tamang of Dhading, who is currently under training there, rock climbing skills come in handy during mountain marathons. “Climbing rocks develops stamina and muscle strong enough to participate in challenging sky-running competitions,” she said.
Likewise, Sujana Shrestha, who won the first-ever Miss Tanahun title, has been doggedly practicing rock climbing with the aim of scaling Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world. She is confident that the skills learnt at Chun Paharo will help her in conquering the world’s highest peak.
In addition to being a training spot for prospective climbers, the place also conducts special training in disaster management, martial arts and commando training for Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police.