A long one from Mullayangiri......-Santhosh KC

All,

So finally after a bit of hesitancy, a bit of drifting and drafting we managed to complete yet another successful trek (Or rather should I say it as mountaineering as some others were pointing out... J) to Mullayanagiri, Athigundi and finally to Baba Buddanagiri.... (If u check our last trip was almost one month old... J)

Here's a recapitulation of the beautiful trekking experience we had before the details fade out of our minds - though I'm sure the experience will remain unforgettable. The end of the trek is a good time to reminisce on the highlights of the trip, cos our energy during the actual trek seemed to be spent mainly in that half-second that it took to put one foot in front of the other and keep climbing.

First of all, thanks to all of you for executing the trek admirably without any incidents. The camaraderie, bonding and group dynamics were fantastic. The planning worked like clockwork and right things happened at convenient times, a great showing in all.

Special mention to the new comers of our trek which includes... Aruma (Aka... Biju A for Aruma), Gopika (The Silent of all), Dash (Ever Vibrant ), Shankar (Photo Maniac), Sujai HK (The Snorer), and all others who managed to bring out the best for completely enjoying the present moment, and the next, and the next... laughter made the experience 200% more fun for everybody else.

Some moments in time stand out like snapshots frozen in memory step by step (No offences made to any one...). The log is a bit more than I had expected. It takes much more time than the previous ones which had taken time to read...... I might have missed out a few things in the travel log. If anyone has any more experience to share please do that.....................

23-07-04:-

As usual the initial packing of sleeping bags, mats and who will carry the lightest weights in their bags....
The wait for the three PM's (Deepak, Sardaar (Abhijeet Gokhale for those who doesn't know), and Himanshu )
And for all of you who didn't know what Sardaar was doing ... he was filling up his weekly report form..................
KK's last minute dash to the CVL facility (but for a change than all the previous occasions he was not to join us)
All Set and All Packed finally at 12:30 we started our move to Chickmagalur
The nasty dosing by the vehicle conductor
The subsequent cane beatings by the driver on the Conductor
After a few beatings Our Sujai was trying his own bit to the conductor not get beatings by pinching him J
The road from Hassan to Chickmagalur was undergoing repair.... So the roads were in very bad condition... and only Sujai, Myself and Biju knew about this since we were the only people awake at that point of time...
Not much incidents in the night journey........

24-07-04:-

Reached the first destination of Chickmagalur at 5:30am.
When some one asked me the time at 6:00 in the morning I had to tell it is 7:00 and later when it was 7:00, that person was cursing for not allowing sleeping for some more time.
Went to Trekkers early morning hideout... Bus Stand Facilities and finished our early morning needs...
All the food items were shared across so that no one will have more weight to carry (Except for their own weight)
Packing of the bags went on for some time sine all the sleeping bags needed to be packed inside the
polythene covers (So that it wont get wet in the rain)
And our Sardaar was fully dressed for the monsoon trek with a JEANS and a Back Bag which was like our Talisma BAG which had support only from one side!!!!!! (Now the funny thing was that he had given his trekking dress to Dash J and can you believe the second part of it.... He had given his backpack also to DASH.........J )
All were fully thrilled up by seeing the surroundings with full lush green environment and it started to drizzle also.
So finally at 7:45 we started after our Breakfast and to Sarpadari our starting point of the trek
On the way the scenery was very beautiful as we were gaining height with every move in the vehicle
Finally at 8:10 we reached to the Spot named Sarpadari were we had to get down from the vehicle and start our much awaited monsoon trek
All got ready and let the driver go to Chickmagalur and told him to be there in Athigundi were there is a Check post.
We got an idea as to how the trek is going to be since it was very misty and the visibility was very poor....... (No one except Shankar had climbed this peak before)
Finally at 8:30 we were all charged up for the trek and suddenly I got a call from Naveen asking how'z the trekking going on......
He was wishing all of us to have a good time in trekking and an even amazing time with the Leaches....... (Felt bad that he couldn't make it for the trek..... with a broken hand L)
After a photo session we started our trek trying to conquer the Mullayanagiri hills (The tallest hills in between the Himalayas and Nilgiris.......)
Biju as usual leading the pack with Aruma, Raghup, Saniye and others to follow. (The path of the trek is so very narrow that only one person can go in the track....)
The back benchers were Sooraj, Gopika, Myself, Neha, Shankar and Deepak
And the starting of the trek didn't look so interesting for Neha (Who incidentally is coming for her first TREK in her life) since she had a minor fall
The path looked very slippery and very scary...... and the visibility was very poor that beyond some 30 meters nothing was visible except for the Fog.
But slowly and steadily we managed to climb for about 30- 45 minutes and had a feeling that we were going in the wrong track since the path looked very unused and look out for any other side you could find another path.
But the problem we faced was that even if get to know that the path we were going was wrong there is no way we could have got down the hill since the descent was very difficult
And finally when we asked our One time trekker to this hill Shankar as how we should proceed he had no clue except that we have to go between a small forest cover..... (Since he had gone there almost 4 years earlier)
And finally we decided that wht ever it may come go forward and keep to your right.......(Always making sure that the leading and the lagging batches are close enough in vicinity)
Our Sardaar was finding leaches everywhere (But it turned out to be either snails or earthworms........ J ). But there just a few countable leaches on the way to Mullayanagiri we could actually seee...
Finally we made up to the proper track and went past the forest cover
In between our trek master Deepak Aka PGMT (Even if he has moved to PM team now he will still be our good old PGMT to us....) had a small fall
There was a small climb on a Rock which was a bit difficult one (Sujai was finding difficult and he found another easy to climb up)
The climb was difficult for me since I had my Digicam tied to my Tummy......
All along the way our other PM Himanshu kept on saying "I don't like that, I don't like this ........" and all sort of cribbing and he was still climbing the hill with utmost ease J
Finally after an hour and half (10:00) we reached a beautiful tree which had a NANDI idol below it and the view of the tree was amazing which cannot be explained
A small break for some time with a photo session also was done over there (Rain started coming down but not in a brisk pace.....)
Started again and we moved in a brisk pace (In between a few were asking as to how much more we need to travel and the only answer which I could give was we have covered more than 3/4th of the trek and only another 30 minutes more ) which continued for another hour
We managed to reach a Cave on the way and it was a beautiful site inside the cave with all the vibrant colors.......
A batch went ahead without stopping for us and came back in another 30 minutes saying we are in the top of the hillll...............
Group by Group we managed to go inside the cave and came out (Saniye u missed out something since she was scared of darkness......)
After all was done we all managed to climb to the top of the hill and onto the Shiva Temple on the top of the hill by around 12:30
Shankar and myself went first and spoke with the Poojari of the temple and he was happy to give us Food and Shelter in a big hall over there..
But the only problem is that we couldn't wear the Shoes in the Premises of the temple and the surroundings were we were staying...
So we had to walk barefoot in the chilling climate there and had to pack the shoes in a cover and keep in a safe place..
In between a few were lucky enough to see a few small snakes.....
The wind speed was so much that we felt as if we would be blown away by the winds............
Finally we made into the Hall and ordered for the Poojari for a good lunch with Rasam and pickle
In the mean time we opened our rations, Stove and started heating the Chapathi's which I had packed the Previous day from Sakthi Hotel in Malleshwaram
All had enough (i.e. 2 per head) chapathi's, Bread, Mixtures and Saniye prepared Lemon tea for all of us.
Once the stomach was occupied with some food one after the other started settling down inside the sleeping bags..... (Which was a must to sit)
I tried my level best in sneaking in a few but finally had to take out another sleeping bag and retire into it.
Started pulling each others legs... And Raghu got one more name in the mean time (Raghu P and P for Pingu.. Now don't ask me what Pingu is... It was invented by Deepakkk PGMT)
Time passed by quickly and it was 2:30 in no time... and the lunch was ready
There was a helper of the Poojari who was irritating all of us...
That guy wanted the Mixture, Biscuits we were having and we gave it to him
But that was not all ..he even wanted our sleeping Matts, Bags and wht not he even wanted the Cigeratte lighter which we were using to light the Stove
And in the mean time he gave another name to Raghu P .. (Raghu P looks like Kannada Actor TIGER PRABAKHAR J)
All had the lunch and one surprising what we could see was hat Himanshu having Rice with Rasam and Sugar............. (To the shock of all others.......)
Again people started settling down in sleeping bags..
Saniye stole my sleeping bag and on top of that she gave one comment which I would not like to put it over here....
And then started the Snoring session from Sujai HK and Raghu was also trying his bit to snore but was unsuccessfull....
Evening came very soon and the Poojari prepared the milk from the milk powder given by us and we had a nice tea/ coffee biscuits and all other eatables..
A few of us made a valiant attempt to go outside and see the nature from hill top but had to return back very soon since the wind speed was way too speedy....
Once agin all settled inside their sleeping bags and we made two teams for Dumb Charades... and it continued till we had our dinner with Rice, Rasam, Chapathis, Pickle, Side dish and Papads ans as usual Himanshu's Sugar...
Once again the Dumb Charades continues until all was feeling sleepy (We learned a few techniques from the IIT language from DASH......).
And who can forget the Hotel Gopika was trying to get from Sooraj as a name of one of the movies..... (I managed Sooraj to reach till Kormangala 3rd block but Sooraj couldn't get the name....)
Abhishek was getting cramps in his legs by this mean time but was not severe enough.
A few people wandered into the darkness (Now please don't ask me why they were missing for some time in the wilderness)
And again a competition started in the night as who will be the best snorer in the trek.. The Competitors were Sujai, Dash, Sooraj and a few small time snorers
One thing I learned form the night was that never sleep next to Abhishek since in the sleep he feels like some one is opening the Plastic Covers, some one is speaking and all such types of weird things...

25-07-04:-

And by the time I got up in the morning he (Abhishek) had changed his sleeping place without even his knowledge
Made all get up early by 7:00 am and Saniye and myself started preparing Maggi Noodles for our break fast.
First time in two treks/ trips I could hear a loud voice form Neha (Yeah she was fuming on Sardaaar....)
Again had all sort of things like noodles, sauce, pickle, jam, bread, mixtures and even coffee and tea also as per choice and Himanshu's Sugar
Finally packed all things up, prayed in the Shiva Temple and we were all set once again for the next trek to Baba Buddan Giri
One more photo session and we were back on track a new track a bit easier one compared to the first day by around 9:20
Rain started again and this time Shankar took charge of leading the team
Initial downward movement was a bit difficult as Neha and Gopika were finding a bit difficult
And the movement continued when our Raghu had a fall and later was yelling down to the back markers saying "Careful Guys, Its slippery out here". (Myself and Aruma saw him falling and no no Raghu I didn't tell it to any one else)
There was yet another rock this time not to climb but to pass across which I found a bit difficult and had to stay like Spiderman for sometime (No no one noticed it so no problemz.... J)
Getting Neha was a difficult task for Deepak and Biju across the rock
And for every movement Gopika was finding Sooraj's hand more than the rocks or the trees to hold one.......... (Mein Hoom Na.....)
Sardaar and Raghu saw a Fig and were yelling in full volume saying "There is a snake in the path".
A few stops here and there to make sure all are together and there is not distance between the first and the last trekker
One stop for Chikkis and finally the front walkers were missing and we could see the Road just below us
Deepak was shouting in his full throat but they were missing
Deepak and myself walked a bit further and found the Check post in KK Gandi at around 11:00am (Not in Athigundi as we had told the Driver)
10-15 minutes passed by and the vehicle was in the check post (If we were not there in the check post the driver would have taken the vehicle to Athigundi which was another 7 Kms away....)
All kept their bags into the bug and climbed to the top of the vehicle and the drive started to our next location which was Athigundi.
There was a small water fall were all got refreshed a bit.... And had tea in the tea stall
Tea Stall fella told some one that there is a big water fall just one Kms behind on the left hand side of the road
Enthu rejuvenated once again and all were once again to the water fall without any luggage (First mistake of not carrying Water or Chuna or Salt for Leaches or Rope since we were going to a waterfall.... L )
Walked back the road for 500 meters and a gate in the left side of the road and we were all into the Coffee Estate where the Suspense of the whole trek lied
A few of the gang went ahead casually walking in the estate in search of the waterfall
A few snaps here and there and suddenly Sujai showed a Leach and then started the terror ( People we have entered into the LEACH PARK)
Salt, Chuuna all are lying in the Bag in the vehicle
I took out my shoes and socks and in disbelief could see 4-5 leaches hanging on my socks and that's it...... no more waterfall started to return back (The walk in the Coffee estate was more than 1 Kms.....)
And then came the scary news from Aruma and Saniye that Deepak got almost drowned in the water
But then there is no way we could stop in there as every minute you spend in there the Leaches were tormenting you.
Came to the road an then each started removing their shoes and socks and (Except Sooraj) all had a few leaches in their body ....
I was counting each and every one passing by me and could count up to 13 in the 16 member gang and still three are missing (Biju, Himanshu and Shankar )
Tried calling them up but in vain... Came back to the tea stall had a few teas and then Deepak, Aruma, Myself and Sardaar walked back to find the three missing guys..
Walked almost till the Coffee Estate Gate and we could find the three Heroes coming with a deep satisfaction like conquering the Mt Everest (The 3 lucky guys who had made it to the waterfall )
And don't ask me where and all there was leach bites for Biju and Himanshu....
Once again a few on the Vehicle Top started towards the search of a Mosque from where there is another trek towards Baba Buddana Giri....
Raghu, Shankar and Sujai were not interested in another trek and hence decided to go in the van to Baba Buddana Giri.
Another descent trek (Again without luggage another mistake of not carrying water or salt ), a few intersection of the Road to Baba Buddana Giri and finally in another hour we were in Baba Buddana Giri
Went to the Shrine in the pouring rain and all of us got settled down getting ourselves refreshed and finally finishing our trek
Started back on our final destination to Bangalore with enjoying a feel fresh drive with all sort of eatables on the way back to Chickmagalur
Stopped in a hotel for our Lunch Cum Evening Snacks.....
The Pre Honey moon parties.. Biju- Aruma and Sooraj - Gopika took a table and the rest of us in another table (Sujai and Deepak were later to spoil the party of theirs)
All satisfied with the Open Dosa's and a few upset stomachs... (Sooraj....)
And there was one incident which involved me, Sooraj and Neha which will be lying with me only as I don't intent to spell it out here.... (Wht say Neha????)
All set and the final return trip started with Dumb Charades giving company almost 60-70 Kms before Bangalore till we almost ran out of movies.....
Back to Bangalore at 11:30 pm... after yet another wonderful trek from the 16$ Trekkers.......


What I can say is that I HAD BEEN TO A LOT OF TREKS. BUT THIS IS MY BEST TILL DATE. THE SHEER SCARINESS WAS TOO MUCH. WORDS CANNOT EXPLAIN IT. I AM NOT MAKING OTHERES FEEL JELEOUS BUT GUYS YOU MISSED IT.... A WONDERFUL TREKKING EXPERIENCE.

The photoz are shared in the below mentioned shares...

\\replication\Photoz\Mullayangiri-Bababuddangirion24250704
\\brahmos\TripPhoto
and
\\calidad\mulliyangiriNbudanagiri

A few more roles are under development.......
And by the way don't forget to read the name of the Snaps..... (Courtesy Santhosh and Himanshu for the first share ............ )

Sorry Neha, Aruma and Gopika, I know u will not be able to see the snaps... Will try to upload some snaps in the Yahoo site.

As usual the disclaimer follows..........: - This mail is not intended to harm anyone. If anyone is offended by this mail, please I can't help it. This is how 16$ Trekkers are............


Look forward for the space for the next trek right after the monsoons........................

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Santhosh Kumar.C
Talisma Corporation
Office: 23613377 - 4234
www.talisma.com