Gowri Varanashi became the first Indian woman to execute the climbing route ‘French Indian Masala’, a popular rock climbing route in Badami. She climbed at a grade of 5.12c (Yosemite Decimal System, US) or 7B+ (a French rock climbing rating).
She has practiced climbing on the hills of Ramanagaram with rock climbers from Bengaluru. Gowri is also an avid wildlife conservationist, nature educator and works along with local communities in the Amazon Rainforest to help provide sustainable employment and habitat protection.
In the US, Gowri works with schoolchildren by taking them for outdoor nature education.
She is a true athlete from a non-competitive background paving a way for herself after climbing a much harder grade 8a in 2020.
Check out Gowri Varanashi in conversation with WF President, Ms. Namita Nayyar on her passion for rock climbing, being a wildlife conservationist, health & fitness routine and future goals
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Being an adventure enthusiast since her childhood, you hit the headlines in January 2018 by becoming the first Indian woman to execute the climbing route ‘French Indian Masala’. What excites you most about rock-climbing as
a sport?
Ms. Gowri Varanashi
Rock climbing for me is all about body movement and solving problems. It poses moments where I have to pause and think “how am I going to get to that next hold” which involves my mind for problem-solving and it is a full-body workout to actually execute that move on a vertical rock face. Climbing allows me to be outdoors and close to nature and it feels scary enough at times to make it really exciting and thrilling. More than anything it teaches me about myself, it helps me build confidence in myself and I realize I can do things I would have never imagined I could do. It is a full-body workout without having to do an atypical gym workout, so working out and being fit becomes fun and playful!
FULL INTERVIEW ON NEXT PAGE!
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