Rakchham is a groundbreaking new guidebook by professional climber Bernd Zangerl, showcasing the remote Himalayan village of Rakchham in Himachal Pradesh, India. Zangerl, one of the early bouldering pioneers of Magic Wood, has established classics up to 8C around the world. Buy it here.

Zangerl said: "I first visited Rakchham in 2010 and have returned every year since. Altogether, I’ve spent about five years in the village, typically three to four months each season exploring, brushing, preparing, and putting up first ascents. Even after 15 years of development, I’d still say the potential is largely untouched. There is so much rock left to discover in the village and throughout the valley."

Featuring more than 560 boulder problems across 14 sectors, Rakchham has quietly become one of the world’s most stunning and varied granite destinations, offering a true paradise for both beginners and elite climbers. To protect the area from the fate of overcrowded climbing hotspots, Zangerl has followed a sustainability-first approach from the very beginning, an ethos that could set an important precedent.

This guidebook represents a lifelong journey, distilling more than 15 years of exploration into detailed topos, maps, and practical information. It’s also filled with striking photos and personal stories, a testament to a climber’s love affair with a hidden Himalayan valley. 

Rakchham