नवसकाळी २०२०

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

In early days of calendar year 2020, Covid-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic was declared. It was soon followed by worldwide lockdown and consequentially, trekking to all mountains / forts / hills was banned.

Last year, had started with this activity of trekking all days of नवरात्री, at 9 unique locations. "Can it be continued this year?", "Will there be 9 different options available?", "Will anybody join 👥?" were some of the uncertainties. सिंहगड was relaxed, but only on weekdays. तळजाई was allowed, but only from the west. And probably, खंडोबा टेकडी was never tagged 'prohibited'. Any other place was off the radar.

नवरात्री नवसकाळी.. 9 days, 9+1 hikes

वर्ष दुसरे, २०२०

Day Grey 📖, तळजाई: With its east entry gate ⛩️ closed, this flat hill-cum-jungle was still accessible from the other / this side. Heavy rains 🌦️️ in the last days meant some parts were slimy and few trees 🌳 had lost their balance. But abiding to the forecast, it did not rain during the schedule to make matters worse. जंगल में मोर 🦚 नाचा, किसने मैने देखा, a creeping snake 🐍 and birds ️🐦 🕊️ in varieties, were some of the highlights of today.

Day Orange 🍊, खंडोबा टेकडी: Unlike yesterday, I was not to be alone today, but the comrade was slightly off schedule and also went a bit in another direction. Also, being a Sunday 🌞, it's a no-brainer that it would be crowded out there, but that was still an understatement. So every next time, it will be any but weekly bank holiday. Having had to wait ⏸️️ atop, savored salient view of the target for next 5 days while also encompassing the adjoining hill, that is hardly any away from k2s pave. Yes, 'home to सिंहगड (via खंडोबा टेकडी)' is now on the charts.

Day White 🦷, सिंहगड: Living upto the color of the day, it was all cloud ☁️️ cover, as viewed in any or all the directions. Significantly, nothing beats the moment when clear enough weather provides glimpse of गडांचा राजा, किल्ले राजगड ⛰️ and स्वराज्याचे तोरण, किल्ले तोरणा 🚩 in the south-west, as distinct islands 🏝️️ floating above the white.

Day Red 🚨, सिंहगड + potato point: One of the weekdays had to comprehend nearby potato point, which has always been a special attraction, given its windy nature and having a rock-carved 🗿 शिवलिंग at the top of a potato 🥔 shape, 12-15 feet diameter. Certainly, it was to be a full-grown grass 🎋 hike, it existing as a less known / commuted point and the time period being lockdown-in-monsoon types.

Day Royal Blue 🧞, सिंहगड: It's not perfect (nobody / nothing is) but accuweather 🌀 🌡️️ is far more accurate (as its name suggests) than any other application / website that predicts any such immediate future weather conditions. Following those pointers everyday, also (other reason to follow) helped a lot in not including evenings, which indeed, turned-out pouring ⛈️. Aside, Wednesdays are new Saturdays for some of the regular सिंहगडites.

Day Yellow 🧀, सिंहगड + circuit: For sure, it was not going to be the same to-n-fro on all 5 days at सिंहगड. As was Tuesday's potato, today's diversity was descend via deserted smooth-n-clean घाट रस्ता 🛣️️, the routine exercised to welcome new year since last 2 ✌️️. But this time, all it added to the regular routine was only 45 mins 💪. Another reason behind going long today was - Thursdays have always been crowd-wise spoilers. Yet it had a nice-to-meet-you factor with co-founder of Swachchand Adventure Foundation.

Day Green 🐢, सिंहगड: It's well known that during नवरात्री, many people 🎎 trek सिंहगड on all the days (Yes, this time including forbidden weekends. Trick was to reach the base before 4). Implying, the crowd would get heavier. Indicatively, 'should evenings be considered?' struck. But, having production issue and a product release along with budget 💶 discussion for next year 📆, makes it all-but-easy, to plan anything for the later part of a working 👨‍💻 day. So, devoid of choices, the planned 'नव सकाळी / संध्याकाळी' got itself transformed to नवसकाळी 9️⃣ 🌄. Nonetheless, today's evening observed a bonus round of सिंहगड, as a colleague could not join any of the mornings. Read (रेड) above about pouring evenings 🌧️️; today was one well prepared ☂️, when city 🌃 was dry as if other hemisphere.

Day Peacock Green 🦚, खंडोबा टेकडी: No, today was not a Sunday, and it worked in favour of undergoing relatively negligible 🚷 mob.

Day Purple 🧃, तळजाई: That's when you miss your regular trekking shoes 👟 the most (due to Friday evening). Easily, Coasters aka CTR are value-for-money. It seemed to have heavily rained here last night, and yet, its ajar gate meant today were less chances to witness any fauna at तळजाई. Most importantly, nothing better could have ended the 9-day streak, but उकडीचे मोदक 🧄 and मटार करंजी 🥟.

Barring the bonus trek, it was overall 4398 meters of elevation gain, a few inches 📏 short of half Everesting 🏔️️ (more details on Everesting in this SRT blog), while covering 83.5 kms of feet 👣 distance during 9 days of colors' celebration, till विजयादशमी..

Be silly. Be kind. Be weird.

There is no time for anything else.

Valley of Flowers

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

Valley of Flowers.. Himalayan, where rivers never give-up

Utilization of the newly introduced WhatsApp feature of status updates, helped in finding new friends as trekking companions, which I must admit, is, if not impossible, at least, not an easy 😔 task. One of society 🌇 members then asked, "We are planning an easy grade Himalayan 🏔️ trek in August, care to join?". Given its unpredictable weather, there is never and nothing easy in Himalaya. We'll shortly come to that.

Even thinking about exploring the new horizons, especially at higher altitudes than Sahyadris, pumps-up the adrenaline 😍. And so, started the research. Recognizing it as nothing-to-worry-about, let's-go-for-it, I signed-up.

August 2018

The least we knew anything about कांवड सावन यात्रा that stalls everything happening / not happening in and around हरिद्वार 🕉️, made us 😟 nervous enough on options to reach our base camp 🏕️ at ऋषिकेश. Thankfully 🙏, it was one of its last days. Otherwise, earlier batches took beyond eternity as to what is needed for 20-22 kms, had many just walked.

Evening was well spent at the bank of enormous, pious and enchanting Ganges, also privileged with गंगा आरती 🕯️. Next day was a road 🛣️ journey from humidity to gelidity, towards the mountains ⛰️, through valleys, along the river अलकनंदा, followed by another evening encashed at holy temples ⛩️ of जोशीमठ, catching and capturing 📷 love-at-first-sight views of the surrounding ranges.

The following day, we had another short road journey along the same river, to the north ⬆️, गोविंदघाट, from where we were supposed to be on our own. Handing over our luggage 🎒 to mules 🐎 and always aware that the first 4 kms (till पुलना village) can be arranged, we had 2 group opinions 🤼‍♂️ if to avail or not. While one was trying to convince the other, we agreed (few reluctantly) on our way up, all 13 kms by feet, along लक्ष्मण गंगा, to our camp for the next 3 nights, घंगारिया. The path 👣 was well trodden, built to comfort of pilgrims; and views were, needless to mention, mesmerizingly beautiful 😇. The second half (after भ्युंदार), as is usually the case with any mountain, be it Himalaya / Sahyadri, was steep, and steep like anything 😓.

Valley of flowers, Legge grave and not-to-be-missed river bed were on the charts for next day. Beauty of this region is its variety 🌸🌷🌼🌺over time ⌚ and space 🏞️. In the midst, it also has a grave ⚰️ of Joan Margaret Legge who had come to India to study flora of this spellbinding National Park but had died doing so. Then, the river bed made to the pick of the day, clutter free, smoothingly chill and refreshingly sedative.

Next day was to be (+ लक्ष्मण मंदिर) हेमकुंड साहिब, the गुरुद्वारा, the highest point of this expedition at an altitude of ~4200 meters, open only 4 months a year. After ascending a steep slope of more than 1200 meters in this weather and altitude, as if we had rightfully earned it, we relished ourselves to mild gurbani 🎼, sweet prasadam and much needed लंगर. Although we had heard about it, it was jaw-dropping yet to discover the sikhs 👳 dipping themselves in the adjoining, ice-cold, हेमकुंड lake, when we were shivering in our jackets 🧥, gloves 🧤 and mufflers. Having spotted the state flower, ब्रह्मकमळ, postponed any possible disappointment to the later point of time. And thankfully 🙏 again, the weather 🌥️ had very much favoured us till now.

Next destination was further north, बद्रीनाथ, after descending the same, first day's route from the other side, from घंगारिया back till गोविंदघाट. And so it happened. A landslide and roadblock at लामबगड was awaiting our arrival 🛬. It was imminent 🤔, not everything can be so perfect. This meant either we return or stay in a गुरुद्वारा nearby to resume our journey as and when it got (less likely) cleared. Interviewing ❓ about the possible options to get to the other side, revealed us a small trekking route over the same mountain. We unpacked it all and packed only what was needed for 2 days, stuffed the rucksack in the bus 🚌 and carried a small backpack with us. In no time, we were heading towards बद्रीनाथ after descending to the other side of the mountain and hiring a local transport. Few were adamant and stayed back only to join us the next day as the road was cleared. The eventful day ended after visiting one of the चार धाम and warm hot HOT water bath 🛀 in one of its pools (कुंड).

Flag 🇮🇳 hoisting on Independence day at freezing बद्रीनाथ camp started the following day in high spirits towards our next adventure, वसुधरा falls. Attractions on the way included गणेश गुफा, व्यास गुुफा, भीम पुल and origin of सरस्वती river, from India's last village, माना. Fall of the ~400 ft falls was thundering loud. Slowly and intermittently we were delighted 😀 to have perspectives of snow-clad mountains 🏔️ from all the directions, which were most of the times immersed in clouds ☁️. This was nothing less than exceeds-expectations rating 🏆. 

The last day was then to hope least for another landslide. This time, we just had to walk that landslide prone area amidst the flowing water, trembling stones, a few falling rocks, all risk-free. 👏 Hope, there are better alternatives today. 👍

That ends in short, my first trek in Himalayan region in 🙇‍♂️ देवभूमी उत्तराखंड. Luxurious, spacious and well-equipped by Himalayan standards. 85 kms of feet distance with 3600+ meters of elevation gain in 5 days.

|| जय बद्री विशाल ||

मोरगिरी

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

मोरगिरी.. the lost frontier or ?

One of the many ways to identify climb-able mountains ⛰️ is 1. to use Google maps 🗺️ in Terrain mode. 2. If a peak is surrounded by marked roads in two or more directions, there are high chances that it also has a trekking route paved to the top. 3. If there is no pin 📍, zoom in to check if Maps reveals more. 4. Learning about options (if there are multiple) and to work out a starting point🏁 then needs a bit of blog surfing, which also helps in realising if it is technical (needs ropes / helmet / harness etc).

One such discovery, a ruined fort, was lesser known मोरगिरी 🦚 in Lonavala region.

31 March 2019

Sujeet asked if the fort will not be a difficult grade, and can consider Advit (his 4 yr old young son) too. Will be a stupid waste to discuss and question his endurance 💪. Suggesting him based on my blog learnings, Karle family and couple of more joined for the adventure. Next time, when you read 'discovery' / 'adventure' like words, you'll know what I mean.

After the bumpy ride till the base at south of the fort (almost all the mountains have this unwanted feature - bumpy roads), we parked at a farm house 🏡 and kick-started. While all was good till we reached / climbed half of it, we least knew better was yet to come. Sarcasm! 😜

Came the traverse and we took left / went in the West direction, strictly according to the trodden route, downloaded from one of the blogs. Failing to observe an anticipated diversion to the top, even after going a few extra steps 👣, we gave up on West and opted for a U-turn ↪️. Time was to check for an open door in the East. We failed and gave up again. For some time, we rested on an open ground, Chhaya rightly suggesting, gazing at the waving flag 🚩 at the top, teasing and provoking us at the same time.

Definitely, we did not yet / never wanted to give up on the way to top 🆙. So, it was time to pull-up the socks 🧦 and explore. Redoing the West, diverting from the point where we were earlier / now expecting a diversion to the right, we decided to discover our way to the top, no matter what. Through the trees 🌳, their dangling branches and thorns, webs. After a while came the ascend without any sight of a walk-able option as we were surrounded by nothing but stick-like, dried-up, Strobilanthes Callosa. Ok, let's keep it simple - कार्वी. 🎋

With a Never Give-Up attitude, began the adventure through those white pegs, having Advit repeatedly moaning, मला हा गड नाही आवडला. After battling through the stems, we found ourselves over the East ridge, which means it was time again to go West towards the top. The ridge was relatively easier. Please note the use of word 'relatively'. 😉

Now we were facing a 20+ feet rock patch, another geographical structure not having a walk-able / climb-able option. Rahul and his height 🗼 managed to climb it, but was it worth it? Was there actually an option to descend from the West side (which we had missed earlier today)? After sorting it out, he pulled-up rest of us, one after the other. Soon, we were atop and celebrated the triumph 🏆 with शिवगर्जना.

In this all chaos, a friend on a short US trip was getting all notifications about our proceedings. Keep wondering why? I still am. 😏

Descend was (again) relatively easier, but still required cautious efforts negotiating the rocks, loose soil and Strobilanthes Callosa. After the descend till the traverse, realising where we had lost it, the U-turn we did, was hardly 10-15 steps away. 😢

Directly jumping to the end of story now. During all this, none of us got physically injured even in the slightest manner, which was an achievement 🥳 in itself after all the adventure we had. Only thing we lost was Yojana's bottle 🍾 full of besil seeds (सब्जा) soaked in water, and the time ⌛, which meant we had to drop our next activity involving तुंग fort (कठिणगड).

All is well, that ends well जे म्हणता ते हेच. 🙃

PS: If you ever wish and plan मोरगिरी (from south), when at traverse, keep going left, till you observe a small white signboard indicating 'go right'. Hope, it is still there.

राजमाची

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

राजमाची.. fort twins and a todo waterfall

This was another recording of 852 meters in elevation gain (could be a miscalculation, as the route is relatively mild when compared to other trekking adventures) but error-free reading of covering 25 kms by feet which was then the longest distance for a single day activity.. and all this was aided with less than 2 litres of water 😌..

19 October 2019

Starting the day early enough to get maximum out of morning energy (as always) paid off its best.. it was still dark when we parked our car near Upper deck resort and kicked-off the marching.. where is this? yes, we chose to start slightly different than popularly opted Della adventure - reason will follow ☺️.. 

Not losing the momentum, we had our breakfast stop at the river crossover, under a small hut.. a wooden spoon 🥄 carved from a stick served the purpose of spreading jam 🧁 over the bread 🍞.. another group of 5, who had rented SUV, could not manage to drive beyond this and devoid of options, parked, alighted and hiked the rest.. 

Soon (at 09:00 a.m.) we were at उधेवाडी, searching for lunch options.. an old man directed to his hut where a beautiful old lady gracefully agreed to prepare noon meal for 3 of us.. आज्जीला 👵 "१२ पर्यंत येतो" सांगून we were off to explore the forts..

By this time, we have had views of श्रीवर्धन fort from almost all the sides.. such is the beauty of long distance treks 🙂.. no Sun ☁️ showing up for the party; breeze contributed the most to build up the environment to best of its altitude.. After resting a while on the top of श्रीवर्धन fort, we went to its east end for the breathtaking view of horse shoe 🐎 👞 waterfall.. Not living to its expectations, a little more outflow of water at this कातळधार would have made it a complete package, but this remains an open topic till the next time..

मनरंजन fort was a quick bite as Nilendra spotted a big snake at a distance.. next-in-line was झुणका भाकर and cherry-on-the-cake 🍰 ठेचा 🌶️, ending the first half at peak never before..

Almost non-stop return journey never felt tiring compared to anticipated matters, thanks to the on-and-off drizzle and the Sun, still shy..

Reason to start from this side was to seize the opportunity of enjoying some leisure time pedicuring.. Quarter 🕒 (of an hour) and high tea well spent at Tungarli lake post finishing line was: what else can be put above cherry (on the cake)?

सिंहगड ते विंझर

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

सिंहगड ते विंझर.. एक होता विंचू आणि एक होता नाग

नुकताच भर दिवसा 🌞 🏜️ केलेल्या तोरणा ते राजगड range trek ने उन्हाळ्यात शक्यतो trek टाळावे हे खूप चांगलच शिकवलं होतं.. पण ह्याच trek ने "सिंहगड ते राजगड पण कधीतरी करायला हवा" ह्या इच्छेला 🤨 चिंगारी दिल्यागत झालं.. माहिती गोळा करायला सुरुवात झाली आणि लक्षात आलं की अंतर जरा जास्त आहे, त्यात शेवटचे ८-१० किमी. डांबरी रस्ता.. आता trek करतांना इतकं डांबरी रस्त्यावरून चालायचं हे जरा नवीनच / अजिबच होईल आणि अजून काही करता येईल का? ह्या विचाराला चालना मिळाली..

तर ठरलं असं की trek डांबरी रस्त्यापर्यंतच करायचा.. कोणाला उन्हाचा त्रास नको आणि परतीला पण योग्य अशी 🚙 सोय झाली पाहिजे म्हणून वेळ ठरली रात्रीची 🌃.. but this distance was now a little less for a night trek.. after adding couple of nearby spots, the plan was finalized..

०६ एप्रिल २०१९

धायरी फाट्याला मी, हर्षद आणि सुजीत रात्री 🕙 १० ला सिंहगडचा board असणाऱ्या bus 🚌 मध्ये चढलो.. नांदेड city हून वैभव आणि विजय बसणार होते.. आतकरवाडीला उतरणारे आम्ही फक्त पाच जण होतो.. ११:३० वाजता सिंहगड parking ला पोहोचून थोडी rest घेत पुढे 🥔 potato point la निघालो, अंदाजे २ किमी. अंतरावर असेल.. आणि वाटेत दिसला एक विंचू 🦂.. कदाचित हा आयुष्यातला पहिलाच प्रसंग असावा.. 😇

credits: Vaibhav

ह्या टेकडीला (actually टेकडी हा शब्द मोठा आहे) एका पसरट cone सारखा आकार आणि सगळ्या बाजूने खोल दरी असल्यामुळे वारा भरपूर असतो.. वरती बटाट्याच्या गोल-मटोल आकाराचा साधारण १५ फुटी दगड आहे, ज्याच्यावर एक छानसं शिवलिंग कोरलेलं आहे आणि बाजूला लहानसा नंदी 🐂 पण ठेवलेला आहे.. उन्हाळा असूून वाऱ्यातला गारवा जास्त वाटत होता आणि थोड्या वेळाने आम्ही परत सिंहगडच्या दिशेने वाटचाल केली.. विंचू नंतर आता वाटेत आम्हाला दिसला नाग 🐍..

"सगळंच आज नको, अजून भरपूर trek करायचे आहेत" 😉 म्हणत पुढे पुणे दरवाजाला break घेत, घरून आणलेल्या half dinner 🌯 वर ताव मारून झाल्यावर वेळ होती सिंहगडाच्या wind point ला जायची.. काही public इथे झोपलं 😴 होतं, त्यांना त्रास नको, म्हणून लागलीच u turn घेऊन आम्ही पोहचलो कल्याण दरवाज्याला.. रात्र भरून काढण्यासाठीचे इतर दोन्ही points आता आटोपले होते..

वाजले होते ०२:३० आणि mini break घेऊन आता वेळ होती ridge follow करत final destination विंझरच्या दिशेने वाट शोधायची.. हे काम सुरुवातीला अवघड नव्हतं, ठिकठिकाणी arrows 🎯 बनवलेले आहेत आणि काही ठिकाणी SRT च्या खुणा सुद्धा..

शेवटच्या डोंगराला वळसा घालून डावीकडे उतरायचं होतं.. अरुंद आणि घसरड्या वाटेमुळे हा traverse थोडा अवघड आहे.. डोंगराच्या डावीकडे उतरायला काही रस्ता दिसत नव्हता आणि सरळ जाणारा रस्ता पाबे घाटाला जातो, म्हणून चुकीचा आहे, हे लक्षात आलं होतो.. तरी थोडं पुढे जाऊन बघू असं ठरलं.. हव्या त्या दिशेला असलेल्या एका arrow ⬅️ ने आमची भीती घालवली..

आता बाकी होता तो फक्त descend.. आणि इथला हा प्रकार आजचा सगळ्यात कठीण असलेला प्रकार होता.. फक्त slope, माती आणि अती बारीक दगडी.. support ला ना गवत, झाडी, ना sizeable दगडं.. घसरुन पडायच्या भीतीने अती दक्षता घेत, हळू-हळू खाली उतरुन झाल्यावर शेवटच्या water break साठी थांबलो.. उतरुन झालं होतं पण विंझरला अजून अवकाश होता.. हा शेवटचा patch साधारण २.५ - ३ किमी. असला पाहिजे.. चालायचा कंटाळा येत होता पण अगदी समोरच्या दिशेला राजगड छोट्याचा मोठा होतांना दिसत होता आणि हर क्षणी फक्त एकच विचार मनात येत होता, "plan तर सिंहगड ते राजगड चाच बनवायला पाहिजे होता".. असो, there is always a next time..

दिवस उजाडायला 🌄 आणि आम्ही रस्त्याला पोहोचायला वेळ एकच.. कसलीही वाट न बघता, एका मागे एक गाड्या भेटत गेल्या आणि पहिल्यांदाच रामभरोसे सोडलेलं transport चं option सफल ठरलं.. 🎉

credits: Sujeet

तोरणा ते राजगड

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

the key exchange.. तोरणा ते राजगड

When we trek either of तोरणा / राजगड forts, more often than not, we meet people who are either about to start / end the range trek to / from the other fort.. so was the case during individual treks to तोरणा in October 2018 and to राजगड on Republic Day 2019.. and adding to the fuel was that end-to-end view of this connecting trail from both of its sides, that had then unknowingly made it as next-in-line..

Unaware of any local transport facilities (also did not enquire much) and to save on waiting time, we decided to execute this trek in 2 groups, that would independently start from each of the forts, exchange the car keys halfway and meet on the way back - to exchange cars..

वर्षाच्या पहिल्याच trek ला ओळख झालेल्या वैभवला विचारलं and he instantly agreed.. we individually checked with our usual companions, date was decided, groups were divided and it was time..

09 March 2019

We were to start from वेल्हे after breaking the night long fast (breakfast) 🍳 on the way.. there is now a road constructed for some of initial part, so we had headstart in terms of time as well as altitude.. the other group were to start from पाली and had skipped breakfast after being slightly off-schedule..

Ascending तोरणा in pleasant weather with beautiful view of गुंजवणे dam was an easy stuff.. but we knew, it was only the beginning and good part for today.. after resting a while, while enjoying views of झुंजार माची, we were on the way to other side, towards बुधला माची.. it was hardly 09:30 when we were finding our way to descend the माची and already bathing hot 😥.. after some hide-and-seek, time was to experience the thrill of rockpatch and ladder, had many times heard of before..

Half of this trail (the तोरणा side) hardly features any shadowy trees and the next break we had was under a full grown निवडुंग 🌵, cactus tree / plant (yes, believe it or not).. getting up and walking for another half-n-hour ⏳, Google Maps was now indicating to expect, soon meeting others, but only pathway we saw was of a descending nature.. doubtful if we were on the correct one, we started calling out 🗣️ names and after some attempts, they answered..

तोरणा, credits: Vaibhav

राजगड

Not been able to make enough contacts 📵 in these mountain ranges, we were very much thankful 🙏 to not have missed the crossover.. during the intermission, some group photos 🤳 were clicked, (most importantly) keys 🔑🗝️ were exchanged and after sharing good / bad news about shadow expectations, we resumed the later part..

We were now marching faster than before, before resting one last time on the tar road.. after this there was no exit till राजगड top and happily knowing, everybody was still up for it 🔋, it was time for steep and tiring ascend till the engineering perfection संजीवनी माची.. hardly any water with anybody, only hopes kept us moving were, राजगडला नक्कीच खायला आणि प्यायला भेटेल..

We shared the last bottle of mango juice at अळू दरवाजा.. those hopes (खायला आणि प्यायला भेटायचे) were now fading as we could barely spot any localites.. dead tired by climax, we crawled our way to पद्मावती माची only to learn that cooking is no more allowed on the fort.. and we were left with no choice but to stay thirsty and hungry a little longer.. the lake is said to have potable water, so we filtered it however we could manage..

A much needed rest to recover more from the long, sunny activity at पाली दरवाजा, from where we had no more to ascend, we relaxed 😌 for more than 30 minutes.. spotting some refreshment options while descend, we gulped down as if there was no tomorrow..

That marks the end of what was probably the most tiring trekking experiences.. an important learning towards having sufficient preparations, not expecting any eatables or drinkables on the fort.. oh yeah, cars 🚘 were exchanged at खेड-शिवापूर toll plaza 🚧..

लिंगाणा

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

लिंगाणा.. that extra mile

Ever since started with this trekking fad, always followed an approach of not crossing the lines and try technical side 🧗‍♂️.. but then, had heard about लिंगाणा and (still pending) AMK to such an extent that could not resist the temptation.. so, it was time to break the rules and both of them got cancelled due to extended monsoon 🌧️.. yes, while non-technical treks are favoured in monsoon, these are not.. कोई नई, सालभर थोडे ना होगी बारिश.. 😉

22 December 2019

Let's skip all the 🚐 how to reach? 🎒 what to carry? 🏠 where to stay? ⏲️ when to sleep? part.. In all probability, these details won't help, because you should / will not be trying this on your own, without expert supervision and guidance, as it involves rope techniques (technical trek)..

The excursion started at 03:00 a.m. and only easy normal thing was initial (and so, final) walking part 🚶 of a little more than 2 kms..

Then starts the adventure part of negotiation with steep बोराट्याची नाळ (baby नळीची वाट) followed by tricky traverse, which takes us to base of the pinnacle.. नाळ म्हणजे दगडी दगडं and उजेडात अंधारात चढायची उतरायची म्हणजे "बाप रे".. एक-एक करत, मागच्याला - इथे पाय ठेव, torch दे आणि दोन्ही हाताने पकड, इथून सोप्पं आहे - करत हळू हळू उतरलो.. traverse was relatively / technically easier but handle-with-care types, more on slippery side, to be dealt with self anchor (slung to rope).. all of this was accomplished in pitch dark as clock now read 05:00..

Two leaders, who came a day before to setup all the ropes, had stayed on the top.. by now, one of them had significantly come down to help other leaders from this side (with us).. participants were now harnessed and instructed again before resuming further..

Rock patches 🧗‍♂️ occupy most of the surface of this 1000 ft tall marvel.. and unlike any other mountain, it has a perfect zero traverse.. all the ascend is along the ridge and one needs to carry some eye protection 👓 to avoid free flying soil due to heavy and heavier wind.. unavoidable waiting time for such only-one-at-a-time climbing activities can be monotonous, but we reached the top of highest detention center of the Sahyadris by 08:00..

While enjoying the mesmerizing view of capital रायगड 🚩, was time for a soft surprise.. a few droplets 💧 from the open sky..

Rappelling being fastest descend option, perfected the total return time.. पण इतकी rappelling झाली होती की वर्षभर करायची नाही, असं ठरवलं.. lucky enough to not have had to face any unusual delays due to any unforeseen stuff, we were left with lot of buffer time.. re-doing बोराट्याची नाळ from other side (now was time to ascend) in scorching sunlight 🌞, was dead tiring 😥..

As we reached the flat surface, we detoured to allow ourselves march towards the adjacent Rai-ling plateau to have top-to-bottom, left-to-right visual of लिंगाणा and better understand our achievement earlier today so that we can be reasonably proud of ourselves.. 💪

credits: Sujeet

Please allow me to reiterate.. this escapade is not to be done without experts.. for our group of 15, there were 5 trek leaders..

लिंगाणा.. temptation.. adventure.. thrill.. stamina.. adrenaline.. contentment..

माथेरान

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

explore mode on.. माथेरान (Garbett Point)

आज सकाळी mobile (आजकाल ज्याला आपण smartphone 📱 सुद्धा म्हणतो) हाती घेतला आणि Google Photos 🖼️ चं notification "Rediscover this day".. Open करून बघितलं तर फोटोत डावीकडे होता एक railway track (toy train चा) आणि उजवीकडे होतं माथेरानचं डोंगर आणि जंगल..

ह्या trek बद्दल लेख लिहायचा होताच, आणि हा योगायोग..

१९ एप्रिल २०१९

It is April and so was exactly an year ago 😂.. उन्हाळा खूप आहे, म्हणून दिवसा trek नको.. शिवाय पौर्णिमेनिमित्त आसपासच्या weekend ला केलेल्या काही night treks मुळे, हे नवीन वेड लागलं होतं.. पण night trekचा विषय काढला की public अशी कारणं देते की विचारु नका.. तरी वेळ ठरली full moon (Good) Friday night, आणि साधारण ४ तास लागतात असा trek शोधत-शोधत सापडला तो Garbett Point..

गेल्या काही दिवसातच ओळख झालेल्या विजय (दीनानाथ चौहान नाही ओ) सोबत ४-५ trek झाले होते आणि त्यातले २ रात्रीचे होते म्हणून ते येतील ह्याची खात्री होती.. पण बाकी कोणी तयार होत नाही म्हणून नाईलाज झाला.. शुक्रवारचा दिवस उजाडला आणि cancel झाल्यामुळे बहुतेक विजयला काही करमलं नसावं, तर त्यांनी त्यांच्या २ मित्रांना तयार केलं (दोघांनाही trekking ची सवय नव्हती 😔) आणि दुपारी मला message केला, आपण आज रात्री ठरल्याप्रमाणे निघू.. म्हंटलं, ok..

Half dinner करुन आणि other half बरोबर घेऊन मी घरुन निघालो. विजयच्या घरी गाडी लावली आणि ९ वाजता आम्ही शुभारंभ केला.. ११:३० ला आम्ही भिवपुरी road railway station ला गाडी 🚗 लावायची जागा असेल, ह्या हिशोबाने मध्ये शिरलो, पण station ची समृद्धी munna bhai मधल्या "भाई, ये तो शुरू होते ही खतम हो गया" dialogue इतकीच होती 😛.. बाहेर एकाला विचारलं आणि त्याने सांगितल्याप्रमाणे, त्याच्या घरी गाडी लावत आम्ही चालायला सुरुवात केली.. घराबाहेर मोकळ्या हवेत 🛌 झोपायची तयारी करणाऱ्या खाटावर बसलेल्या ताईने विचारलं.. कुठे?.. Garbett Point.. इथून रस्ता नाही आणि पुढे फक्त धरण 🏝️ आहे.. आम्हाला फक्त त्या टाकीपर्यंत कसं जायचं तेवढं सांगा.. तिथून जाता येईल तुम्हाला पण काळजी घ्या, भावासारखे आहात म्हणून सांगते..

एवढ्यात लक्षात आलं असेलच, रस्ता आमच्यापैकी कोणालाच माहिती नव्हता.. नेहमीप्रमाणे Google maps के भरोसे होती आमची यात्रा.. "टाकीपासून धोम धरणाच्या दिशेने आणि पुढे धरणाच्या डावीकडून पलीकडे जायला जी दिसेल ती पायवाट" असा होता आजचा plan.. पाणी आटल्यामुळे आम्ही धरणाला पूर्ण वळसा न घालता shortcuts घेत चालत होतो. त्याक्षणी Google Maps 'satellite mode' मध्ये बघितल्यावर आपण पाण्यावरुन चालतोय, असं दाखवत होता.. that was अगदी "dude! 😎" वाली feeling.. Google maps वरचा trail आज योग्य तसा साथ देत नव्हता.. पण रस्त्यात ३-४ गावं लागतात आणि शेवटच्या गावापासून चढाई आहे, अशी blogs वाचल्याप्रमाणे आमची hiking व्यवस्थित चालू होती..

८-१० घरं 🏘️ असलेले ३ गाव ओलांडून एक पायवाट आम्हाला traverse करत डोंगर चढायच्या रस्त्यापर्यंत घेऊन गेली.. समोर दिसत होता चढ, आणि चढ चांगलाच होता.. काही वेळातच trekkingची सवय नसल्याने सोमनाथचा history असलेला पाय दुखायला लागला, पण दुखापत इतकी गंभीर नव्हती आणि return यायची तशी वेळ काही आली नाही.. सावकाश पुढे चालत राहिलो आणि अर्ध्यावर चढून होत नाही तर तीच वाट समोर एका घनदाट जंगलात घेऊन जाते आहे, असं आमच्या लक्षात आलं.. ०२:३० वाजता जंगल नको म्हणत डावीकडे दिसणारा traverse घ्यायचं ठरलं..

कर्जतहून येणारी वाट लागल्यावर 'आता थोडंच राहिलं आहे' म्हणत अर्धा तास break घेतला असावा.. घरून आणलेल्या डब्यावर 🌯 ताव मारत, कुत्र्यांना biscuits 🍪 खाऊ घालत, चैतन्यला सुचत असलेल्या सरळ-सोप्प्या विषयांवर गप्पा मारत आणि गार वाऱ्याचा आनंद घेत आम्ही हा break वसूल केला.. वाऱ्यामुळे finally, humidity कमी झाल्यासारखी वाटत होती..

शेवटचा पल्ला चढत आम्ही ०४:०० वाजता Garbett Pointला पोहोचलो असू.. being at this top, feels "nothing less than heaven".. परतीची सोय, आलो त्या रस्त्याने नसून, माथेरान पासून busने यायची होती. पण bus stop ला जायला जंगलातून तेवढा एकच रस्ता दिसत होता.. आता उजाडेल 🌄 तेव्हा निघू म्हणत it was time for another round of more वारा, few गप्पा आणि little snacks 🍿.. विजयला मात्र डुलकी लागली होती..

दूरवर धूसर धोम धरण दिसत होते. आपण तिथून सुरुवात केली, ह्या proud moment वर विश्वास बसत नव्हता.. कर्जतहून येणाऱ्या एका group सोबत torchlight 🔦 चा खेळ सुद्धा थोडा वेळ चालला.. रात्रीच्या / पहाटेच्या अंधारात flash मारत, येतील तशे photo काढले / काढायचे प्रयत्न केले..

आज अजून एक जी वेगळी गोष्ट बघितली, ती होती twinkling lights.. खाली, डोंगराच्या दुसऱ्या sideला असलेल्या घरांना चालू बंद होणारे light 💡 होते, अगदी ताऱ्यांसारखे.. no, it was definitely neither because of wind or particles nor those were stars..

थोडं उजाडायला लागल्यावर आम्ही निघालो.. jungle walk till माथेरान entrance was one calming experience.. photo session जे अजून करता आले नव्हते, ते झाले आणि ०६:३० च्या bus 🚌 ने नागमोडी घाट उतरत भिवपुरी road railway station.. परतीला वेळ होती चौकला (चौक हे गावाचं नाव आहे) नाश्ता करायची, at hotel Purva..

असा काही होता आमचा cancel झालेला super-duper trek..

दिपावली २०१८

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

Yes, all is fine with title.. 🙃

It was that rare instance of perfect holiday setup for a week-off (9 days in total), having to apply leave for only one.. time to travel native, आमची evergreen 💚 and beloved 😘 नाशिक, to celebrate country's most popular festival - festival of lights 🎆.. पण trekking चा किडा आता घरी बसू देणार नव्हता.. and by now, Harshad had also developed his tasting buds in trekking.. 

04 November 2018

On his return journey to रायगड 🚩, in order to not get caught by Mughals, छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज rested on पट्टा fort for few days, and hence, known also as विश्रामगड..

The morning was journey time via then recently built सिन्नर bypass 🛣️ and very well maintained tar road till base of the fort (a trouble-free driving is worth a mention 🙂) coupled with close-up views of windmills - those are huge..

It's an easy climb fort, with forest department and villagers doing great in building pathways, steps and gazebos.. the area on the top is not small and has a gazebo (छान शब्द आहे ना ! आजच शिकलो आहे 😀) at every viewpoint.. the reconstructed अंबरखाना with huge paintings presenting major events from महाराज's lifetime was unexpectedly cheerful..

eye-pleasing views of surrounding forts / mountains, especially औंढा, coupled with equidistant windmills in big numbers, and to top them all, the C shaped कडा was nothing less than spectacular.. कड्याच्या ह्या टोकावरून photo 📸 काढायच्या कार्यक्रमाला चांगलाच जोर आला होता पण घरी जेवायच्या वेळेत पोहोचतो आहे, हे सांगून आलो असल्याने, हा मोह आवरणे पण गरजेचे होते..

after exploring rest of the fort, which included 12 dried-up cisterns, it was save-yourself-from monkey 🐒 brigade to end today's adventure..

ह्या गडावर आम्ही केला तो विश्राम इतर गडांवर अनुभवलेल्या आनंदापेक्षा / आरामापेक्षा थोडा जास्त सुखकर होता.. शेवटी नावाचा फरक पडणारच.. 😉 

06 November 2018

Unplanned.. though had heard about कळसुबाई being the highest peak in महाराष्ट्र, it was never on todo.. so, it was an adhoc plan, executed within 24 hours of the first moment it struck..

On the way to base village बारी, today was that variant of sunrise 😊, which used to be only drawing option from childhood, बरोबर दोन डोंगरांच्या मध्ये.. 🌄

Initial ascend of half-n-hour or so, and waiting time for preparation of and having breakfast, slowed down the further proceedings for a while.. 

Supported by cool weather, it was less tiring than expected.. more than 2 hours from the starting point and peak was not yet in the vicinity, but we had 📸 some snake 🐍 time.. a localite spotted and warned about that 3 feet reptile just-in-time 🙏.. another 30 mins of last sprint and we were atop..

The total ascend (and of course, descend also 🤣) is comprised of 4 ladders, safely placed at much needed locations.. can be 😇 conveniently skipped if interested in trying rock options (first is slightly tough).. will be also unfair to not mention the delicious 🍲 शेव भाजी and भाकरी, on the way back, at the first sighted hotel..

If you reside in महाराष्ट्र, this is a must.. to experience the feeling of satisfaction, from the highest feet altitude, earned by spending worthy efforts, whether or not you are into trekking..

10 November 2018

Decided to climb रतनगड from Samrad side, only because the Google maps 🌏 shows a trail.. आता २-४ जणं घेऊन trek करायचा आणि त्यात guide ला पण पैसे द्यायचे म्हणजे बरोबर येणारे अजून कमी होतील.. त्यापेक्षा आपल्या lifesaver Google ने पुरवलेल्या (शिवाय फुकट) सोयी आणि इतर blogs ची मदत सहसा पुरते..

So, it was time to set Samrad as location and start the navigation 🔛.. to our dismay, it was probably the longest to-n-fro journey on the worst maintained road (a trouble-full driving is equally worth a mention ☹️).. but rest of the adventure was first among equals / one of the bests..

Trekking from this side is said to be tougher than the other and leads to the fort entry via त्र्यंबक दरवाजा which has enough handrails protection for rough / tough patches..

The route provides equally scenic views in west direction of the fort, that has a 🍫 Snickers shaped, unique pinnacle in the valley, deserving and getting special attention - top basked in mild sun and remaining waiting to.. as always, rocks and ladders did their best in ensuring there was enough thrill to make it part of this post..

As the name suggests, it is indeed the jewel 💎 of सह्याद्री.. visit the कल्याण दरवाजा and know why - the view of कात्राबाई side of mountains is simply breathtaking 😍 that marginally beats similar view from Arthur's Seat in महाबळेश्वर 🍓..

Many mountains in सह्याद्री have a special attraction in the form of a naturally created hole, popularly known as नेढं or eye of the needle.. after राजगड, it was time to explore another one.. encashed some time in this eye 👁️ to experience the highly energizing, cool and non-stop breeze.. unlike other forts, one can get to the top of नेढं here and relish simply awesome views of Sandhan Valley exit and fort's own, adjoining, very popular खुंटा..

Did check with a villager at the top for possibility of any transport 🚘 🚛 option from रतनवाडी till Samrad.. "अवघड आहे" ऐकल्यावर अमृतेश्वर पुढच्या वेळेस करायचं ठरलं.. had afternoon meal 🍱 in the same home-cum-hotel, where have had morning snacks..

A touch-n-go visit to the entrance of Sandhan Valley (popularized due to a television 📺 commercial) ended the day on a high..

Next time will be,

१. औंढा fort on the other end of C

२. family time at the top of महाराष्ट्र

३. jewel from रतनवाडी, for अमृतेश्वर

नवसकाळी २०१९

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

नवसकाळी.. 9 days, 9 terrains

Last year (2018), had heard about this concept of people climbing सिंहगड for 9 consecutive days in नवरात्री..

Had a word with my regular trekking companion, if we should also try something similar.. a plan was drafted to climb 9 different terrains, segregated considering working days and holidays..

Inaugural नवरात्री नवसकाळी

वर्ष पहिले, २०१९

Day Orange 🍊, घोराडेश्वर: Easy to climb location (half in steps) near and north-west of आपली पुणे, providing cool breeze in abundance, along with aerial views of MCA 🏏 stadium 🏟️ and the rail track 🛤️ on either side from the top. Wait a while to enjoy curvature 👌 of either an express or local passing by.

Day White 🍚, सिंहगड (from आतकरवाडी): कोंढाणा was renamed to सिंहगड when छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज 🚩 conquered it third time, but lost तानाजी मालुसरे in the battle. Being closest accessible fort, this was / is / always be a popular and regular weekend getaway for many fitness enthusiasts.

Day Red 🌹, पर्वती: Initial plan was to climb (all in steps) this small hill twice, situated right in the center of Pune city.. but then Nilendra said, अभी थोडा कुछ लगने लगा है, ५ बार करते है.

Day Royal Blue 🛢️, रोहिडा / विचित्रगड: It was heavy crowd at वाघजाई 🐯 temple, followed by double वडापाव 🍔 to end the descend. Special attraction of the day was to discover the thrill while climbing the fort from the temple's side.

Day Yellow 🐥, खंडोबा टेकडी (धायरी): Another hill in the southern region of Pune with beautiful sunrise view of जांभुळवाडी lake. नवरात्रीत काही पुरुष, घरी न जाता इतरत्र (in this case, मंदिरात) राहतात, हे फक्त आता ऐकून नव्हतो.

Day Green 🌿, तळजाई: A small (by height) hill 🦆 having multiple distance options to choose from for daily / weekly running 🏃 / walking 🚶 / any other type 🧘‍♂️ of fitness activity. There's no mall, but in the east direction, खवैय्ये have lot many options - आले गवती चहा ☕, उकडीचे मोदक, मटार करंजी 🥟, नारळी समोसा, गव्हाचे चीक आणि बरंच काही.

Day Grey ☁️, कर्नाळा: Although it's all forest area, this trek drains all the energy, due to its geographical location, near Mumbai, known for uncomfortable humid climate 🚢. Few we heard on the way in this bird sanctuary 🐦🕊️ पण दिसण्यासाठी, ती शोधता येणारी नजर पण पाहिजे.

Day Purple 🍆, लोहगड + विंचू कडा: Not finding road, suitable for driving from the मळवली side, it was time to reroute via लोणावळा. The climb was another successful attempt (लोहगड) by 3 yrs old young trekker-in-the-making.

Day Peacock Green 🦚, सिंहगड (from कल्याण पेठ): Lesser known route to climb सिंहगड from south, till कल्याण दरवाजा, through full grown grass.

It was overall 3000+ mtrs of elevation, while covering 47+ kms during 9 days of colors celebration, before विजयादशमी..

at least one by 9 different souls..

महाबळेश्वर

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

हो, महाबळेश्वरला पण trek करतात

Vinayak had posted (and I had checked 😀) WhatsApp status about his recent adventure of trekking till Arthur's Seat.. is this even a thing?

Arthur's Seat is one of the most crowded and popular viewpoints in Mahabaleshwar 🐒, and tourists generally do not skip it on their trip to this hill-station.. it provides breathtaking views of deep valleys surrounded by multiple mountains.. and other than this, you see nothing.. then you come across such an update on social platform and first thought comes to your mind is 🤔 "is this even a thing?"..

unless you have (at least) heard of it, it's actually difficult to believe if trekking is possible in this region.. because we get so lost in wind 🍃, views and photos, that such a perspective is simply not possible / is beyond slightest of consideration..

Ever since then, was searching for an opportunity to strike-it-off my todo list 📔..

06 January 2019

starting at midnight ⏱️ from आपली पुणे, we reached ढवळे around 04:00 a.m... after some rest, morning rituals and breakfast, we had introduction round.. impressive was to learn, one youngster was trekking since 1993 😮.. gloomy was to learn, there is no water 🚱 on the way till बहिरीची घुमटी, which was at least another 5 hrs..

we started our first climb of the day to Chandragad 🌛.. it. is. steep.. the top is very small though and takes less than 30 mins to roam around.. after the group photo 🤳, it was time for some fun with the descend, which was expected to be on the other side.. it was loose soil and controlling self was very helpful 😉 in draining energy.. so, this was the first instance of mandatorily having to descend slower than what was needed to ascend.. 😲

one of us tore his knee ligament and few had to share his backpack 🎒, till the end.. kudos to those few.. 👏

all the gained elevation was lost, which meant energy will be drained longer.. good part being, next was jungle.. and came those sweet words from guide "आडवा लागेपर्यंत तुम्हाला जाणवणार पण नाही, परत सगळं चढले म्हणून" 😊 (by the traversing time, you will gain all this lost elevation without realisation).. ribbons 🎀, arrows 🏹, stacked stones helped a lot in identifying the right direction..

by now, it was well beyond noon and everybody was hungry and thirsty at the same time.. आडवा पण काही कमी होता का? 😥.. around 02:00 p.m., we reached बहिरीची घुमटी.. it has a perfect lunch saviour, sweet water 💧 cistern.. 8 hours in the game and we have not had any visuals of our today's destination.. isn't that just cool ! 😎

resting for more than an hour, all charged-up 🔋, it was time to ascend again.. from 🐴 गाढवाचा माळ, one can finally see Arthur's Seat, but still couple of mountains 🏞️ away.. thankfully, those had to be traversed..

then followed a steep climb with tourists 🎎 gazing at us, trying to guess, what were we doing on this side of the landscape? adding 10+ hrs in detailing the answer was a proud moment ☺️, while also pointing at the starting point..

to end it on a perfect note, sunset was just round the corner..

without any second thoughts, this instantly made to the list of most memorables..

15 March 2020

never had seriously thought of re-doing the same adventure but that was only until it got scheduled by another group.. and since then, could not hold back the temptation when the journey 🦋 was to be enjoyed from the other side 🧭..

today was time ⏱️ to re-live the best of trails so far.. difference was with starting location, being same as from the WhatsApp update, more than an year ago..

so, it was..

for another wish of happy feet 👣.. multiple mountains ⛰️ to greet.. from जोर till Arthur's Seat 💺..

that jungle walk 🐾 🍁 for the ultimate view of #Sahyadris 🏞️ in Mahabaleshwar 🍓 ranges is totally worth more after having earned it by not just driving your way through..

kudos to organizers, who encouraged participants from all age groups, for activity, known to be adventurous after बहिरीची घुमटी.. plants 🎋 outgrown in all directions, slippery red soil scree, that traverse without any appreciable buffer and more than half-n-hour spent negotiating the rock patch 🧗‍♂️ ..

special attraction this time was that eventful doggie 🐕, who followed / guided us all the way up.. and though it made it look like, it repeatedly failed the rock patch.. may be, it was just waiting for our whole batch to pass through.. 👏

that was also the last trekking activity before our entire planet was overruled by Covid-19 ⚛️

and I still have friends, who exclaim महाबळेश्वरला कुठे trek करायला जागा आहे !.. can't blame them 🙃

ढाक बहिरी

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

कर हर मैदान फतेह.. ढाक बहिरी..

नुकताच YouTube वर "थरारक trek" म्हणून एक video बघितला होता.. पाहता क्षणी ठरवलं की हा नक्कीच आणि लगेचच केला पाहिजे.. Himalayan trek एवढ्यातच book केल्यामुळे practice चालू होतीच, शिवाय हिवाळ्याने चांगलाच जोर पकडला होता..

२९ डिसेंबर २०१८

पहाटे निघून ६:३० ला आम्ही जांभवलीला पोहोचलो.. as usual, नाश्ता ची विचारपूस केली आणि ज्यांना विचारलं, त्यांनी त्यांचाच घरी नेलं.. जरा वेळ बसून, वाढीव rate चे पोहे, चहा झाल्यावर आम्ही हूड-हूड करत कोंडेश्वर मंदिराच्या दिशेने निघालो.. आज जरा बाहेरचे वातावरण कडकच होते ⛄.. बरं, फक्त ऊन कडक असतं, असं नाही..

दर्शन घेऊन पुढे ढाक डोंगराच्या दिशेला दिसेल त्या वाटेने.. १-१.५ तासाने जेव्हा आपण mini K2S करतोय हे वाटायला लागले, तोवर आम्ही कळकराई सुळक्यापर्यंत पोहोचलो होतो.. बहिरीच्या गुहेपर्यंत जायला आता कसरत करावी लागणार होती.. ही तीच मोहीम होती जी अनुभवायच्या उत्साहापायी आम्ही आज घरून निघालो होतो..

लोखंडी साखळीच्या ⛓️ मदतीने (mini) खिंड खाली उतरून आता traverse करायची वेळ होती.. तारेच्या मदतीने आम्ही तो पार करत नाही तर आता दोर.. थोडंसं चढत नाही तर एका लाकडाच्या मदतीने शेवटचा टप्पा.. हे सगळं तिथे आधीपासूनच आहे, in other words, आम्ही घरून काहीच नेलं नव्हतं.. 

थोडा विसावा घेऊन, दगड तापायच्या अगोदर लाकूड, दोर, तार, साखळी, ह्या क्रमाने परत सुळक्याखाली.. जसा जमेल, जितका जमेल, तसा २०-२५ फूट सुळका चढलो आणि माघारी.. mini K2S return, back to pavilion..

..सह्याद्रीतील एक thrilling अनुभव

YouTube वर बघितलेल्या video ची link

शिडी घाट

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

शिडी घाट.. किल्ला नव्हे, ना गड.. 

by this time (because of Sinhgad streak), had found another subject for discussion with colleagues, neighbours and family members.. few shared their trekking experiences whilst also providing suggestions on what locations fall under "not to be missed" category.. the 📝 todo list started building-up and up next was शिडी घाट..

22 december 2018

plan was to start early enough, so that (you know it) the climbing part was not left at the mercy of afternoon heat..

then was time for some fun.. miscommunication / misunderstanding..

we wished each other 'भेटू उद्या' on WhatsApp group and just-like-that thought of doing the driver check, which miserably failed as he thought the booking was for 23rd morning.. 😳 last option we had was of private cars, but luck played its part 🤞 and a substitute was arranged..

03:00 a.m. was first pick-up and at 06:00 we reached खांडस.. during breakfast, it was time to learn more (after YouTube) about both the routes.. few of us reluctantly agreed and all 15 of us started towards mutual decision..

our destination was standing huge and tall, right in North front of us 🧭.. after walking a while on the tar road, followed gradual ascend through a dried-up river.. then was time for what the name signifies - शिडी, rather शिड्या.. huge in size, robust by structure, simplifies the climbing matters a bit, but simultaneously also retains the thrill part of it.. whoever has brought and fixed these heavyweights at this location and height, has indeed done a brilliant job.. 👏

then, it was time for a slightly difficult / more thrilling part - those 🧗‍♂️ multiple rocks (from YouTube).. climbing them without much hassles, followed the common half from both the routes, मुंगी घाट..

we reached भीमाशंकर (the ज्योतिर्लिंग) entrance in a total of about 3 hrs..

अंघोळ नव्हती केली कोणी पण मंदिरात काही खास गर्दी नसल्याचा फायदा सगळ्यांनी घेतला.. एकाने म्हंटल्याप्रमाणे "मन साफ पाहिजे".. 🙏

after a light lunch, it was observation time - the playful शेकरू 🐿️..

descending the common half till पदरवाडी, the rest was to be done through easier counterpart, never ending गणपती घाट, a spacious jungle with tall trees 🍁.. awestruck by the view of शिडी घाट from this side, makes you feel more proud of your achievement from the morning.. 😊

as said before, this is not to be missed..

that day was full moon 🌕.. attaching a snap captured during return journey..

credits: Mahesh