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..