After a very long gap, I did small trek upto the bottom on Jog falls few days back (6th Oct 2005, to be precise). 6 of us had been to Amboli, Goa and North-Coastal Karnataka in the 1st week of Oct. So, during this vacation, when we reached Jog falls, trekker inside me wanted desperately to climb down to the base of the falls and climb back up.

Jog falls (in karnataka), which is about 250Km from Panajim, is highest fall in India. There are about 4/5 different falls at that location. Of these, one has a fall of about 1500ft and it doesnt touch the hill on the way down.

After reaching the place, Shekhar and Vijay were busy taking snaps of the falls, while Harshad, myself and Satish decided to get to the base. Fortunately or unfortunately, without even checking for any other route, just after seeing a "paay waat" we started descending from there. Initially, it was alright, but after getting down about 40%, there were many rock patches. And since, we had been there - just after end of monsoon, it was pretty slippery.

Also, it was a trek after a gap of 6months and we were not in trekking gear either. So we descended slowly and carefully, hoping to tackle only couple of such partly exposed rock patches. But new and more steep and slippery patches came in our way. Finally, after streching ourselves and after about 70-75min, we got down to the base, fully exhausted. We didn't even had water with us.

During the descent, after seeing few ladies and elderly ppl, we realized that there must be simple route. At the base, we got lemon juice, enjoyed the cool water of the fall and started the ascend from the simpler route, having steps carved out.

It took me about 30mins (including 10min break) to reach the top, but I swear, I was exhausted like nothing. It would have been the second most exhausting trek after the Chorwane to Nageshwar one. Obviously, the reason was, I was not fit after a long gap and having put on some weight during the vacation.

Anyway, since the monsoon is finally over, looking ahead to start off trekking season with few simple and small treks, before going for some hard and long ones.

Will keep on updating the page ...

Enjoy!
Milind

After my trek to kamalgad, I did following outings -

1. 1000ft Valley crossing - between Lingana cave and Railingi plateu (5th, 6th March 2005)
2. Visit to Phansad bird sanctuary (near Murud, Raigad district) (25th -26th March 2005)
3. Night out on Sinhgad followed by early morning bird watching in Sinhgad valley (22nd - 23rd Arpil 2005).

Trek to Kamalgad

Members: Me, Prashant, Shekhar and Vijay

We had planned to go for Kamalgad, Kenjalgad and Raireshwar on 15-16 weekend, but somehow things didn't turn in favour of that and we decided to go for just Kamalgad.

Kamalgad is located near Wai in Satara district. It's on the way to Mahabaleshwar from Pune. I left home at 5:45 in the morning, picked up Prashant from Khadaki station and reached Shekhar's house at 6:30 to park my bike. Vijay came at 6:40 and then we headed towards Swargate S.T. stand.

Luckily, we got the bus to Wai and the same bus was to go to Vasole (base village of kamalgad, about 25km from Wai) after reaching Wai. But luck didn't help us much later on that day. That bus left Swargate 30mins late, so we reached Wait at 9:30. Anyway, we were relax -since we were not going to miss the bus to Vasole. The bus was to leave for Vasole at 10, but things didnt go well and it left Wai at 11 and so we reached Vasole at 12!

Vasole village is situated on the banks of backwaters of Dhom dam. Kamalgad can't be seen from the village, so villagers just told us approximate direction to the fort. We should have followed the ridge, instead after some climb we started following a col. After some climbing, we realized that we are on wrong path and decided to climb up inocuous looking, 100ft vertical - side face on the col, so that we could be back on the ridge. So I started the climb, while others relaxed and watched my progress. After climbing 30ft, I realized that climb is actually higher and because of loose sand (scree) - it became difficult. But it was more risky to get down and anyway, we would not have to the top from the same col.

So, we almost lost an hour and after some struggle others also climbed up. climb from that point onwards was more steep and we had our constant attention on our watches, as we had to back in the village by 5pm to catch the last bus to Wai. It was 2:30 already, we reached the top of the ridge and now we could see the fort. Even from that point, it was about 1/3rd of the height which we had covered till that time. So we hurriedly started climbing and walking and finally were in thick forest. Initially we thought - we had lost, as we were walking parallel to the fort (which we couldn't see). So when finally we came out in open, we could see the fort.

Everyone was hungry, but we had just gulpoli, as we were running out of water. Also, it was 3pm and we decided to start descending. But suddently, we heard cry of a small child. On further investigation, we realized that there was a shephard family's house and we were on the right track. But because of time constraint, we decided to get back. There was one sanyasi - who showed us water source and Gorakhnath temple (where he stays). We filled up our water bottles and got back in time in the village.

It took us about an hour to reach wai. We had misal-pav, as since morning we had only 1 wada=pav and one gulpoli. Then We got back to Pune by Mahabaleshwar Pune semi luxury bus.

Even though, we didn;t make it to the top, we were satisfied - because of the vertical patch we climbed and were able to see the temple.

Vasantgad

I started trekking in new year on its very second day. We had a short trek cum picnic to Vasantgad on 2nd Jan 2005.

Vasantgad is located near Karhad (Satara district). We (8 people - Aniket, his parents and brother Neeraj, Me, Nikhil, Shekhar and Vijay), left Pune by two cars (Aniket and Vijay's) towards Satara. Had breakfast of pattice just before Satara. Then on the day, saw the place where jagguary is prepared from Sugar-cane juice (called guhral in Marathi). Then on that road, we took right turn before Karhad. This road finally takes you to Chiplun, but after driving for 7-8km, we took another right turn towards base village of Vasantgad, which is less than half KM from the main road.

In the village, we parked the cars and started the climb of this fort. Vasantgad is compartively very small fort (in height as well as in area). Since it was humid and sultry, it didnt become to be easy climb as we expcted and it tooks us about an hour to reach the top. There is temple on the fort and remains of fortification. Atop, we had light lunch, took some snaps and got down from other route. This route had more scree and since many guys didnt had shoes with good grip - it turned out to be *exciting* descend.

After getting down, we headed towards Karhad. Saw the confluence of Karha and Krishna river (if I remember it correct :-) ) then had local delicacy - Amboli. Its made up of basen floor (similar to dosa) and served with aloo bhaji and special chutney made up of basen floor.

Finally, we left Karhad at 4:30 or so and got back to Pune around 7. On the way, had Katraj dairy's flavoured milk and then Pav-bhaji at Relax (you will wonder how much we ate during trek :-) ). So in all more of a picnic than a trek.

-Milind

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Bhairavgad and Harishchandra gad via nalichi wat

Organizer: Rajesh Patade
Date: 24-27 Dec 2004
Members for Bhairavgad: Me, Viajyendra, Pranav, Dhwani and 28 other members.

For long time - I had planned to climb harishchandra from nalichi wat and what more I could have asked for - when climb to bhairavgad's top was also included in the same trek!!!

As it was planned by Rajesh Patade, members leaving from Pune gathered at Shivaji nagar bus stand at 3:30pm on 24th Dec to catch the bus to Khireshwar. We were 9 members from Persistent, Rajesh and other few people from Pune, including Mrs. Shubha and her 7yr old daughter Neha. At Nasikphata, 13 more ppl joined us and the group of 30 headed towards Bankar phata (just after Otur). From Bankar phata, we hired a private vehicle and headed towards village Morowshi. There we stayed at Ashramshala.

Bhairavgad can easily be recognized in the Maleshghat region from its unique "slice - bread" like shape. From front side of the slice, it looks really impossible to climb the main rock patch without rope. Next morning (25th Dec), we started the trek to Bhairavgad at 8:15. Reached the base of the rock patch at 10:30, had quick breakfast and came to the "ghal" from where actual Bhairavgad rock climb starts. First Rajesh with the help of Yogesh fixed the rope just for safety and then rest of guys started the climb. It took us about 1hr for rock climbing and then to reach the top of bhairavgad. At only one point, it is really tricky to climb up and atleast one experienced person with proper rock climbing equipements is required to clear this patch safely. Rest of the climb is not much risky. After the rock patch, you have to find the route through thick cactus vegetation - so full sleevs shirt and track (or full) pant is recommended. From the top, we started to descend at 3:00 and all Persistent trekkers lead byme were first to reach Morowshi at 6:15pm. We had some food in the small hotel. Few of the other ppl were lost in the jungle, but finally everyone was at bus stop at 7:15. From there we all were supposed to leave to Bailpada (base village for the climb to Harishchandra gad from nalichi wat). But out of 30 participants, only 17 decided to continue, while other ppl were either tired or they thought next trek would be more difficult.

We reached Bailpada by 8:30 and stayed in the "osari" of some person's house. That night very peacful sleep and it was not much cold outside.

Next morning (26th), we started the trek to harishchandra via nalichi wat at 9am. First we filled our water bottles near a temple and then started the way through dried out waterfall. Initially there is single waterfall bed, which looks like going towards kokan kada, but after a walk of an hr, the waterfall bifurcates, with one still going towards kokankada and other towards nalichi wat. Nalichi wat is nothing but the way through watefall bed to the top of the mountain, so you will have to climb up over the stones fallen in the bed as steps. This really makes climbing strenous on your thighs and knees. The climb, otherwise, is simple except for couple of patches where it is not really trivial. Final patch is the most risky, as because of water flow over last thousands of years - rock in this col has become really brittle and it is not easy to traverse or climb and there is constant fear of skidding because of loose besalt. We had to employ a rope - to get ppl up through this patch. After this patch, you still have to climb and walk about 1hr to reach top of kokan kada. On this way, there are 2or3 (10 t0 20ft) rock patches, which could be conquered without rope. But novice ppl may need a rope. It took us about 6hrs to reach kokan kada from the start of our trek (including 1hr break).

At the main temple on Harishchandra, everyone had pohe, tea and biscuits and then we (me, Viajy, Pranav, Dhwani, Yogesh, Mrs Shubha - one who was selected to climb Mt. Everest with join venture organized by Indian Army and National Geographic - and her daughter Neha) started our return journey at 6pm, since we (Persistent guys) had to be back in office on Monday. Others were to go for 3 day (4night) trek to Alang, madan, Kulang - starting from Monday night. I would have definitely liked to join those guys, had I have not to attend office back on Monday. We reached tolar khinda at 7:30, as we had to cut down speed. Since it was a bit cloudy, even though it was full moon night - it didnt help much. We made our way through the jungle after tolar khinda and reached khireshwar at 9:30. Since morning, we had been walking and climbing for more than 9hrs and little Neha was really down now. But it was really great show of that 7yr old child's endurance. So we decided to stay in osari of some house and to take 6am bus to Pune, instead of walking 5Kms more to Khubi phata and then reach home at odd hours by catching truck, 2-3 different ST buses. So we had good dinner of Nachanichi bhakari, pithale and rice and then went to bed around midnight. It was really cold compared to Bailpada, as we were about 1300 ft above bailpada and more importantly because of proximity of Pimpalgaon-joga dam.

Next morning (27th, Monday) we got up at 5 - packed our sacks and got into the bus at 5:30. Actual journey started at 6:10 and I reached back home safely by 10:20am.

This was really endurance testing trek and looking forward to do more treks with Rajesh.

-Milind



Bhairavgad Photos: Here
Harishchandra Photos: Here

Wish you a very Happy and Prosperous Diwali

-Milind

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1200ft Waterfall Rappling with Camp-fire India (30-31th Oct 2004)

Members: Me, Sachin, Satish, Vijayendra, Yogesh and other 50 people from Mumbai, Pune and Nasik

As planned earlier - Me, Satish and Vijay boarded bus from Shivaji-nagar at 7pm (29th oct 2004) and reached alephata at 9:30pm. Had misal-pav and tea, took some cream-rolls and biscuits for next day and then went to Khubi-phata by a truck along with 6 other participants from Pune.

At Khubiphata, had tea and headed towards school - where other members from mumbai were to arrive. Sachin and Yogesh came there at around 2am by bike.

Next morning - we started the walk (about 30mins) towards the camp-site. After watching the actual place where we would do the rappling - it was feeling of joy and fear. We were to do 1200ft rappling in 5 phases (325 ft, 300ft, 250ft, 200ft, 150ft respectively). After having cream-rolls with tea, Camp-fire organizers lead by Arun Sawant - started the camp.

Everyone was busy trying to find out suitable harness, carabina and gloves and then learning how to tie these equipments. After initial briefing by Mr. Kelashikar (from Air-India) - rappling for 1st phase was started from two different positions.

Out of these two location - first place was supposed to be for people having weight more than 60Kgs and other one for lighter participants, but organizers found out first patch to be too difficult for even 70kg guy to feed rope and rapple down. So all below 75Kg were directed to second place. So from our group only Yogesh could qualify for the first place (90kg!) and remaining of us had to move towards second place.

First place was really testing for new comers as they directly had to tackle the overhang of about 150-200ft. Second place was bit easy - as initially there was enough straight (90deg) patch to get used to rappling and then there was 150-200ft overhang. During my turn - I got
tight harness plus my gloves were a bit torned out - so during the free fall my right hand index figner(which is actually used for directing the fall) got a bit burnt because of inexperience. But this phase expelled all the fear for rappling and made rappling on next phases easier.

After first phase, we had quick lunch, then helped the organizers for next the phase preparations and got down without any trouble. For this phase as well, there were two different places from where people did the rappling. Since we were early - we had to rapple from easier spot. Other spot offered good overhang and only Sachin and Satish from our group rappled down from there.

It was end of rappling for the day. We helped them collect firewood and get bags down to camp and send some harnesses up (20 harnesses were short). After sunset - had tea, biscuits and then just sung marathi, hindi songs as there was nothing much to do till dinner time. There was no plane and even place to sleep, so we had to sleep on a slope. We didnt get peacful sleep as we were not tired that much.

Next day, people had upama + tea doe breakfast, but I, Sachin and Yogesh didnt because of Sankashti Chaturthi upawas. First phase of the day (i.e. 3rd in total) was the easiest one and after that we immediately got down from the 2nd phase (4th). This was a bit tricky as we had to descend at about 30deg left of natural vertical line. So we had to continuously adjust ourselves in order to avoid going towards waterfall.

After this phase, we had to wait for 3hrs, as initially they had not setup ropes for next phase and when rappling for 5th phase was started, we didnt have harness to get down. So finally we got down at 3:30pm and then immeditaly had a nice bath, to cool ourselves, in the pond created by watefall.

After that we came back to Savarne, everyone except me - had rice, bhaji and then we started back. First we went to Junnar by a truck and then by ST bus from Junnar to Narayangoan. There I ate some apples and a banana (till 9pm I had only 2 apples for the whole day) and then came back to Pune at 11:30pm. Went back to office to get bike and got back home at 12:15.

This trek was organized very well by these experienced people and now we are looking forward for more treks organized by them.

-Milind

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This is not a detailed description as such - but just a blog entry to keep record of my treks/trips.

This weekend (16th-17th Oct 2004) I went to Karla-bhaja caves and then to Sinhgad for rappling.

Since Gary has come from California, I had to accompany him for a short outing to these caves. After visiting these caves - it was 1pm and it would have been difficult for him to climb up Lohagad - so we curtailed our trip and got back to Pune.

Then later in the evening Aniket, Me, Satish and Vijayendra went to Sinhgad over bikes for star gazing and rappling organized by In Search. The road is really pathetic - but since Vijayendra had few bruises on his knee - we had to use bikes and couldnt climb up by our own.

After reaching Sinhagad - In Search ppl gave a great practical session on star gazing. After lunch - we set for night trail. On the way - Shouri from In Searcg caught toad, geko and two snakes. He has in depth info abt these animals.

Next morning -we did rock climbing and rappling near Car Parking. Rock climbing was for just names sake - as otherwise I have climbed patches difficult than this without ropes. It was first time when I did rappling. I didnt find it difficult - may be since total height was just 50ft. But it was wonderful experience.

After this weekend, I have decided to do more of star gazing and rappling and rock climbing.

Rappling on Sinhgad snaps

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Photography trip to Rajgad

Members: Milind, Vijayendra and 7 more Persistent colleages.
Date: 25th Sept 2004

I went to Rajgad exclusively to take snaps of different flowers and butterflies. Since before this visit, I had already visited Rajgad thrice - it was easy to concentrate on photography.

We left Swargate at 8:15am by Wajeghar bus, got down in Sakhar at 10. Had good batata-wada and started the walk towards Gunjawane. It took us about 1hr for this walk as we were pretty much stopping after every few meters to take snaps of different flowers, dragon flies and beautiful nature.

From Gunjawane, it took us about 1:15hr to reach the top - as by this time we had already taken snaps of different flowers present on the way up.

Near Chor-darwaja, got the chance to take lots of pics of buterflies. Since we (Vijay an myself) had to catch 4pm bus back to Pune, we had a quick lunch, took few snaps and started descending at 1:45pm.

On the way back to Gunjawane - didnt find any different species of flowers, so got down quickly. And were back in Pune by 6pm. It took me more time to reach Chinchwad from Swargate because of traffic jams caused by Ganapati mandals and then the dire state of PMT.

See trek pics at: http://community.webshots.com/album/192737640skeqAZ

Also, with this trek - I have started trekking in Sahyadri again after a long gap of 5months!!!

Kalasubai

Members: Milind, Satish and Vijayendra
Date: 2nd Oct 2004

We left for Sangamner from Shivajinagar (Pune) at 0:00am on 2nd oct and reached Sangamner by 3.30am. Since bus to Bari was at 6:30am, we decided to sleep on the benches of ST stand. Had couple of hours of sleep and then were woken-up at 5:30 by barking of stray dogs on the stand. We had tea+biscuits at ST canteen and then boarded the Kasara bus at 6:30am.

Kasara bus dropped us at Bari at 9am. At 9:30 we started the trek. The route is quite straight forward - there is no need to take a guide. On the way to the peak - there are three ladders (about 300 steps in total). Apart from route being sleepary in monsoon - it is quite simple.

After climbing first two ladders, we thought the climb was almost over. But contrary to our assumption - it took us about 50mins (12:05pm) to reach the top. At the top, there is temple of Kalasubai.

Since there was cloud cover, we couldnt see much of the surrounding places. But the cover protected us from the sun as well. After taking Kalasubai darshan, we got down about 100meters and had lunch near a well. Then started descending at 1:35pm and were in Bari by 3:30pm. This part was more demanding than the climb (may be because we were already exhausted).

I dont find this trek motivating enough to do it again and I will suggest strictly NO-NO for this trek in summer or even after January. September end or October is the best time to visit this place.

From Bari there are buses upto 8:30pm towards Sangamner. I will upload photos soon.