Gundya - Yedkumari - Kadumane: Jumanji/2_ 14-15-16 JAN 2011

This trek was a turning point for me in my trekking life. This was my first trek with BASC. And it was really tough. Certain experiences becomes memorabilia for you. This is one of such experience for me, which I will never forget until death.

It was a great fun and little horror for 3 days - 14th, 15th and 16th January, while completing the Jumanji/2, being completely away from the civilization.  Great fun of course because of being into the raw nature and horror because of getting slightly off the track...may be the right way to put is "lost in the jungle"...whatever the case may be I really enjoyed the trek for three days. This was the first time in my life I experienced the real jungle.

This trek did not go as per the schedule at all. Neither we could reach to Yedikumeri nor Kadumane, but we roamed around the jungle in search of right path. All the way, sometimes we followed Elephant trails, sometimes no path - direct 70-80 degree ascend or descend. Everywhere we could see fresh or old Elephant dung. Many a times we were stuck in between the small plants, prickly shrubs and bushes. But finally we made our way out.

Hats off Bangalore Ascenders and our Commandoes! Varun, Mukul, Nitin, Vikas, Ranga, Raj, myself as well as our leader Sudheer.  A special thanks to Sudheer for organizing such a great adventurous trek.

Day-1, Jan 14

After a little bit of search and seek we started the trek from Gundya Check post at around 9 o clock after finishing our breakfast and grocery shopping. We started walking through the jeep track.

We left the vehicle here and started climbing..

And then started ascending towards the railway track. Within one hour or so we reached the railway track and kept walking towards Yedikumeri station.

reached the railway track and kept walking towards Yedikumeri station...

After few Kms. we took the diversion and started ascending through a stream. The plan was to reach to a peak and then descend towards Yeadikumeri station and night halt there. But it did not go as per plan. We kept ascending. We climbed 60-70 degree steep terrains. On the way got a big rock which we crossed climbing. Sudheer reached the top first and then our back packs were sent through hand by hand and finally we climbed up the rock. Around 2 or so we were at peak. It was very scenic, surrounded by the well decorated landscapes of majestic Western Ghats. Lovely, beautiful, awesome are the words could be used; even something more would fall short in front of those shrine beauties. From the top we spotted a railway station and decided to descend towards that. The path was not so much clear and covered with deep jungles. Somehow at around 5:30 we reached a stream. We were completely exhausted and running out of water.  Our legs were scratched by prickly shrubs. We jumped into the water and had nice time there. Sudheer told us that we would follow the stream. It was getting dark slowly. Considering that he changed the plan and we crossed the stream and started ascending the other side of the stream. By that time it was completely dark and we took out all the torches and kept walking inside the forest in torchlight without any idea where we were heading. After a while fortunately we could see a water pipeline and started following it. Thank God! Soon Sudheer spotted the railway signal and we got out of the Jungle to the railway track. It was a moonlit it was really great experience to walk inside the jungle in the moonlit, but realized after getting out of the jungle. We sat down for a while, the goods train passed and then we headed towards the Shribhagilu station. We reached there soon. Everybody was dam tired. Had food and slept. The day ended.


Day- 2, Jan 15

We got up at around 8 AM. Ranga got up at 7 in search of some animal, but no luck. After a heavy breakfast we started the trek at around 9:30.

We were already behind the schedule. First day we could not make to Yedikumeri. 2nd day we took the same route from where we came out of the jungle on the first day. We decided to reach Kadumane through that route. But we were completely unaware of what was waiting for us during next couple of hours. After walking for 2-3 hours we had no idea of where we were and which was the right path. Twice we reached to the same place inside the jungle which we crossed earlier. This day we were ascending steeper path than the previous day. We were climbing the steep terrains holding the trees along sides. Many times unknowingly we hold the trunks of dead trees and somehow escaped from free falling.  We were inside the deep forest surrounded by bushes and shrubs. We used to get struck. Slowly I realized we were lost. But initially others were not ready to accept it. Elephant dunks, spiders, prickly shrubs and snake – kept alerting us. But nothing doing. All of a sudden Sudheer could spot a green snake. After ascending so many 70-80 degree verticals and descending some, slowly everybody realized we were away from where we should have been by then. It was around 5PM by then. Slowly it started getting dark. Sudheer and all of us were desperate to get out of the jungle. We were ascending a steep up then. We were almost hanging out from the trees and uphill. No flat place to stand properly. But Sudheer were still going up in search of a trail. Soon realized its not possible to ascend any further. We had to climb down back to the stream which we crossed a while ago and decided to camp there. The place where we camped was little up from the stream surrounded by big trees and it was probably a place where landslide happened long back. Quickly we cleaned the place and set up two fire places, one for cooking and the other one for campfire. And planned to sleep in between those two fire places.

Here we camped...

I was really excited. It was really great…no! I can’t explain it. It was around 8:30 or 9PM. I was at the cooking place and the others were near to the campfire. All of a sudden we heard the sound of a stone falling. All of us were shocked, stunned, what to say. After some analysis we found it was some small animal passed by which hurled the stone one the way. Huhhhh! At around 9:30 we finished our dinner and lied down. Ohhhhhh! It was such a great night, under the sky, moonlight…big trees…passing wind.. barking owl, what else…..as if I was in a dreamland or so. Whole night the campfire was on, which saved us from possible animal attack. Thanks to everybody for collecting the firewood, cleaning the camping place, brining water from down the stream, cooking, serving etc etc.

The great thing about the 2nd day was that, although we were lost, we never had a water scarcity as we passed so many streams. And this makes the Western Ghat really exciting to me.


Day 3 – Jan 16

Got up @ 6:30 without any idea where we were, only remembered that we need to find a pat to get out of the jungle. Great that we had enough food with us to survive till the half of the third day. Quickly we cleaned up the camping place and extinguished the campfire completely so that it does not create forest fire. We decided to head back to Shiribagilu station, walk further on the railway track towards Kukke Road and then descend. But it was not so easy. The initial route we took, did not take us to anywhere. Then we changed the route came across the similar path as the 2nd day and finally by 11Am were out of the jungle on the same railway track. On the way we meet with a small Indian Viper.

We also took bath near a stream. In spite of all these we still enjoyed a lot. After reaching the Shribhagilu station we had our breakfast. And after that we started walking on the railway track. We crossed bridges, tunnels surrounded by green hills and streams. It was quite hot by then. But we had plenty of water sources on the way.  Finally at 3:30/4 we reach the nation highway through Manipanda village. Went to kukke Subhramanya visited the temple and started heading back to Bangalore.

During the entire trek we were completely out of the schedule. Most of the times we had no idea of where we were heading. All the times we had to find our own path. Great efforts from Sudheer, Vikash, Ranga and Raj. Hats off Bangalore Ascenders once again.

 The entire experience for me was awesome.

Photo courtesy Sreeraj P S

Blind Hikerz 2 - Charmadi Ghats (28th & 29th Jan 2012)

Blind Hikerz is an adventurous trek organised by Bangalore Ascenders (BASC), where neither a proper path nor any type of route exists. The trekkers need to follow the GPS systems directed way and the animal trails. Mental readiness to face any situation is prevalent for these treks. Situations may include anything like sudden stiff ascend/descend, animal sight..river crossing and passing through deep shrubs and jungle which are not ventured normally. Many a time one needs to walk hanging from the tree trunk to another to maintain proper balance on those highly inclined slopes. And BASC calls it Jumanji also.

One of such treks I participated during the last weekend of Jan 2012 was organized by Sudheer from BASC. The trek was for 2 days i.e. 28th & 29th Jan 2012. To make this trek more exciting they decided to disclose the place name on the spot just before the trek starts. With lots of expectations and enthuse I was waiting to know the name of the place till 27th evening. And really got very much excited when came to know that it would be near to Dharmasthala.

27th Jan night: We meet at Shanthala slik shop near mejestic. The team was led by Sudheer the Captain and Jinu the Vice Captain. Participants include Vani, Girish, Shobhana, Gayathri, Abhilash, Sarashchandra, Sreedhar and myeslf. We left Bangalore at around 11 PM. The driver was very young and energetic. He drove very fast but carefully. We had almost a satellite TT journey.

D team

28th Jan: We reached our 1st destination of the day Hanibalu @ 4:30. At around 8:30 after loading our stomach with idly..dosa etc etc and getting the lunch packed we proceeded towards the trek start point - Bairapura, where a 300 years old Shiva temple is situated. One pathway from here take to Ettina Bhuja which was clearly visible from here and the other side was our way towards the Charmadi ghats.

The 300 years old Shiva temple

Ettina Bhuja was clearly visible...

We came from

Snake scale 

And then finally 9:30-10 the trek stared.. 


We started crossing stiff ascends, stiff descends, mountains, valleys, streams with rocks. Streams were all across. We never had a water scarcity anywhere during this trek. Following photographs will describe the trek. 

While walking on these hills we can clearly feel the purity and freshness. Seems like never ending greenlamds.

Mountain ranges of Charmadi Ghats

Deep into the wilderness..stiff descends

Walking through these shrubs is not a easy job. One needs to be careful always because there are many a thorny plants. These kept blocking our movements. But it really worth taking such risk. 

Path defined with GPS into the no path zone

Dense forest

Valleys unlimited, can not be imagined unless you are there

Back up on the hill

Ettina bhuja kept a close watch on us

The Greenlands

Surrounded by mountains

Walking on the hills

Crossing the mountain ranges

Descending from the hills to the valley hanging from the trees

Waiting for the decision  weather to keep going down or to move back up

We were almost hanging from the tree trunk as it was very stiff descend. We were waiting to get a green signal from Sudheer to move ahead. Many a times we faced this as we were following GPS directions and it does not show proper path . 

 

Ettina Bhuja kept watching us from the distant

Keep descending...

Resting for a while after that stiff descend.....many of us slipped descended 

A short photography session while resting

Abundance of water sources

Western Ghats is rich in water sources. These sources of fresh water kept quenching our thirst all the way. I was carrying two bottles of water. I never opened the 2nd bottle during this trek.  Whenever the 1st bottle used to get over I found myself next to a stream.

And after this place we kept climbing the more stiffer inclinations which made it impossible to take photographs. After the next ascend and descending to another valley we reached to another stream where we had our lunch. We were almost deadlock here. We came down to this stream from a stiff inclination, cant move through either sides of the stream as these rocks were full slippery and impossible to walk upon. We decided to start ascending the other side of the valley and this was the most difficult ascend of the entire trek. Started will rocks, loose stones and soil and then dry sharp grasses. Till some extent we could take the support from trees. Continued climbing hanging from one tree to another. Finally after half an hour or so we reached the hilltop. We could see the one side of the mountain grass is being burnt. We took rest for a while and based on the GPS direction proceeded towards the another valley to walk on the jeep track, which took us to a one house village. That part of the journey was a great relief. The name of the village - Kumbarahalli.

The mountain ridges

Decided to camp at Kumbarahalli village 

After reaching these village we all agreed to halt there for the night. Because the exit point, Sreeshila was around 5-6 kms from here and it was about to dark fall by the time we reached there.

Some of us decided to explore the nearby village which was 4 kms. And few decided to not to venture into. I sat at the waterfall and enjoyed the time. And rest went ahead just to land up walking for maximum 1-1/2 km.

The brilliant waterfall near to the village where I spent some time in solitary

Path leading to another village

All came back soon to the camping spot and started preparation for the dinner.  

The Master Chef

 After having a nice meal and spent a nice time at the camp fire we retired for the day.

29th Jan: The second day started with bowels & plates of tea and other food items. We decided to not to prepare Maggie etc to save upon time. Our plan for the 2nd day was to explore the jungle to exit at Srishila. Take a jeep/bus to reach Dharmathala. At Dharmathala have darshan and leave for Bangalore. Our TT was waiting there. But it did not go as per the our plan...Below photographs will explain what happened with us for the entire day.

Plates of tea

Bowels of tea..

The villager who gave us shelter in his house and the courtyard ..he  was the person who finally helped us to be out of the jungle

Some of us spent the night there

...and other slept here..

All ready for the 2nd day trek...

Warm welcome by the Grey Heron

After this we kept on walking in the wrong direction into the dense and stiff forests of Charmadi ghats. Now I dont remember how many times we walked back on the same trail. Ascending and descending continued.....

The horse trail...

This was around 11 AM...we were crossing this place to get lost in the jungle for big time...and by the mid day we were again back to this place 

Few more wrong steps...in search of right path but in vain 

Way to the wrong direction...more dense forest

The monolithic rock in Shivaling shaped...we had to come back this place... 

We halted for a while to quince our thirst....drank lots of water.. 

We have been waiting for Jinu and Sudheer to return...they went in search of right path...but that path led us to even more stiff and dense forest...

.....and again after walking for more than 20 minutes of so were dead stuck...no proper passage to walk further. We waited here more than half an hour discussing what would we do if were to die there in the wilderness of Charmidi Ghats..

and finally started following the same path we came..one the way returning..

On the way returning..

Again the uphill area...

Exploring..

Color of the Forest

While descending..

Way back

Source of Kapila Theertha river 

Somehow by 1 PM we were managed to back to the place (not the village, path to the village) where we started the trek on Sunday. After reaching to a point we decided to explore further for another 1 hour to reach our destination of the day, Srishila ; if failed we would come back and proceed towards the villages following the same path we  came. GPS showed the direction and all of us followed just to walk inside the dense forest full with thorny shrubs and plants. After walking for more than half an hour we reached a place where we could not proceed further. On this route we could see animal kills. We decided to return and finally by 2:30 we were back to the village where we stayed previous night. We had quick Maggie, took bath and requested the villager to take us out of the jungle. The villager told us its just 4 Kms, and would take 45 minutes to max one hour. So we were relaxed and spend good time at the nearby water falls to get refreshed. By 3:30 we started another trek to reach to the village. Soon we realized that we should have started little early. We continued walking through little stiff jeep track. It took almost around two and half hours to reach that village. It was almost dark by the time we reached that village, named Kondanahalli. There from we took a jeep to reach Mudigere..

It was full dark then...

We reached Mudigere around 7:30PM. We were to take bus from here to reach Dharmasthala, have darshan and leave for Bangalore. Because our TT was waiting there. But this plan also did not work out. As soon as we got down from the jeep, we came to know that the bus scheduled to leave for Dharmathhala at that time got punctured. We had to abandon our 2nd plan too and called the TT driver to come to Mudigere. At Mudigere we finished our dinner and waited for the TT till 11 PM.

We were waiting like refugees. Every passersby were looking at us very curiously...

  ....After a long wait the TT came and we left for Bangalore.


The big lesson learnt: A GPS device can show you a right direction towards your destination. But weather a walkable path or at least a passage exist or not is your duty to find out.


Overall experience: It was superb.


More photographs: https://picasaweb.google.com/117144221978749494916/BlindHikerz2UrfJumanjiSeriesCharmadiGhats