Niraj Karki, a two-time national climbing champion, is one of the few Nepali rock climbers who has represented Nepal at international competitions and taken up climbing as a full-time career. Besides participating in competitions, he manages Astrek Climbing Wall, where he’s also a trainer. He talks to Gaurav Pote about his passion for rock climbing, adventure photography and writing. Excerpts:

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a professional climber and an aspiring mountaineer, but I’m also passionate about many other things.

I won two national climbing championships, in 2012 and 2014, and last year, I represented Nepal for the first time, at the IFSC Gijon World Championship, held in Spain. I manage and train others at Astrek Climbing Wall in Thamel, a hub for climbers in Nepal.

What got you into rock climbing?

I loved rock climbing the very first time I tried it. It’s more of a lifestyle, and I love taking part in competitions too. Rock climbing allows you to get out there to the most amazing places and it is also great way to stay healthy, both mentally and physically. Furthermore, there’s a great climbing community here. All of these things enticed me into climbing, but now it has become a career for me: I spend a lot of my hours honing my skills and teaching others.

We hear you’re also an adventure photographer and a writer. Can you tell us about that?

I like taking photos as much as I like working with ropes and being on difficult terrain. It’s a task that requires skills in climbing as well as well as photography. I also write sometimes and I’ve had my photos and texts published on more than a few occasions.

What do you do for fun when you’re not climbing walls?

When you’re into climbing, fun becomes part of work and vice versa. I have a long list of climbing goals and projects I want to accomplish—all the more reasons for me to be up in the mountains. Besides climbing, I also train people to climb.

What would you have been if not a rock climber?

I’m really not sure. I did have quite a few interests. When I was much younger, I wanted to be a surgeon, and when I grew up, I studied Environmental Science.

Tell us about your travels, and the places you’ve liked best.

I have lived in London and I’ve travelled to China, South Korea, Thailand and Spain to scale rocks and compete. They’re all amazing places, and Spain, particularly, was fantastic because it’s the Mecca of the world of climbing. Now that I’m in Nepal, I would love to do more here in places like Amadablam, in the Everest Region.

Is there any other area besides adventure sports that you’d consider entering at some point of time?

I’m eager to start my Union Internationale des Associations de Guides de Montagnes (IFMGA) Mountain Guide Diploma next year. That will take me a step closer towards getting more involved in mountaineering. Eventually, I want to combine a few things I’m passionate, about like my need to be

outdoors, and my love for the envirnment, mountains and food.

How have you assessed the adventure sports industry in Nepal?

I can sense much potential here already, even though we have only just started. So, I would love to see more of Nepal to understand what it has to offer as a destination for adventure sports, because if developed properly, I believe adventure sports could help Nepal a lot.

What keeps you busy these days? Are you working on anything interesting?

Quite a few things actually. We’ve recently started the Duke of Edinburgh International Award for young people at Astrek and hopefully the youth here will take advantage of that opportunity. Also, the climbing scene is about to get busier. We’ll have four competitions before the end of the year, starting with Climbmandu 2 on September 12 and 13. It’s the biggest climbing event in Nepal organised by Astrek.

I’m also looking forward to climbing Lobuche and a few other peaks by the end of October, as I want to climb bigger rocks now. Earlier this year, my friends and I did some of the toughest climbing routes in Nepal and I’d definitely want to get on some more routes later this year.

Any final words of advice to Nepalis who want to get into rock climbing?

Try climbing or any activity that allows you to spend more time outdoors. The climbing community here is great. There is so much to do and Nepal also has a lot to offer. Get to be part of nature.