New rock routes have been established on the granite dome known as Bansa Hill (about 280m high, 23°21’59.19”N, 85°55’35.89”E), near the village of Tulin in eastern India. The first long routes here were climbed by Sandeep Maity and Sudipto Pal (India) in late 2021. They climbed Padmasambhaba (270m, 6a) and Bodhisatya (220m, 6c+/7a) on the eastern aspect. Sport climbs and boulder problems also have been developed at the base.

In January 2023, we traveled to Tulin and joined Indian climbing legend Mohit Oberoi. On the southwest aspect of the dome, Mohit and friends established Welcome to Bansa (240m, 5.8), while we established The Lounging Langurs (260m, 5.7+) and The Soaring Kite (260m, 5.8). All routes are bolt-protected.

There are dozens of similar formations in the area, and if permission were granted to climb on more domes, the region could be a slab climber’s paradise.

— Donette and Todd Swain, USA