Mrug Gad April 12, 2009

After a break of month and half last weekend been to Mrug-Gad, a fort on Khopoli-Pali Road.
The fort with height of 1750ft is easy to climb. We left Mumbai early morning and reached the base village 'Bheliv' at 9am. One has to take left turn at Jambhulpada village to reach the 'Bheliv'. The fort looks really small from the base but with the temperature around 40 degree and the heat of burning jungle made this climb very exhaustive. It is called as Jungle trek but in summer there was hardly any shadow. After climbing small narrow ascend - sort of chimney climb - we reached the plateau from where the steep steps starts and reaches the fort. We took an hour to reach the top. Only at front side is bastion gives the feeling of Fort else rest all sides are open. When you enter the fort the local Godess is at right side of the fort.
At the first plateau of the fort there is one small cistern. From here you can still ascend to next part of the fort where you will find one water cistern at right side of the fort.
Going further you goes through the two open water tanks. This entire part looks like remnants of any palace. When you reach the other end of the fort you can see one ridge, 'Machi' going towards village side.
After having some snacks we decided to descend down, as heat was unbearable. While going down we took another route just next route of chimney route, from where we came. Again there was a small rock patch and we fixed the rope, as there were amateurs in the group. If you are regular trekker then there is no need to put rope as its safe to descend and there is no direct fall. When you descend from this patch one route at left goes to small tunnel in the rocks, which goes deep inside, and the end is unknown even to villagers. Ascending scree is always easy than descending that’s why we took two hours and half [which also includes descending rock patch & the tunnel exploration] from top to base village. All were totally down even with Glucon-d, Salads, Oranges and enough of water.
We had lunch at base village and skipped the idea of getting into the water, as even the water was too hot. While coming back we took the Old Khopoli-Mumbai route. If one wants to do one day trek then Mrug Gad is definitely good option but would suggest to do in rainy season or winter.

Check out the snaps...
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/571107255dPRuQs

Rajmachi : Durg Sahitya Sammelan 14-15 Feb 09

Last weekend been to my favorite second home, Rajmachi! The occasion was first Durg Sahitya Sammelan. To listen to Shri. Babasaheb Purandareji live was unique experience!!! Also first time clicked Rajmachi with my D80 camera. Few snaps clicked by Bipin..yes with me Tushar, Bipin Mehta, Harshal Mahajan, Ranjana Dudhalkar & Shriram Joshi were there to trek from Kondane village.
Here are snaps...
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/570224345DUtXdv

Dhak Bahiri Feb 7, 09

On Friday, Feb 6, 09 we left by Sanju's Sumo for Sandashi the base village of Bahiri caves. After two hours journey we reached the village and slept in the school varanda.
We asked the very first house when we enter the Sandashi, to make tea and snacks and also for guide. The alarm rang at 4:30am but it was very chilled so none of the trekmates were ready to get out of the sleeping bag. Finally all got ready and went to have tea and 'pohe'. We had to wait for guide for an hour so again all started craving for sleep. At 7am, once guide came we started our trek towards caves. The path is beautiful as its goes through jungle. The guide took us through the path which goes towards waterfall side and to back of 'Kalakrai' pinnacle. The stromy wind made just impossible to stand steady in the pass. As if there is no way and only valley front of you or as if you are going to descend down the valley. But once we started we could do it cautiously and safely till the start of traverse.
It was like one adventure after the another. Where and how we are going? you can see the starting path and can walk smoothly but then the actual rock traverse starts and you have to be very careful about your hand holds and foot holds. The two organisations from Pune, Vedh Sahyadricha and Safe Climbing Initiatives (SCI) have fixed bolts here where you can catch by your hand and just take foot holds. So now its become little easy to cover the traverse. After traverse the climb starts but its easy compare to traverse as you have to climb the verticle steps and then you have rope and wooden support for ascending till cave.
Ooff, you feel really thrilled when you look down and see from where you have come... We took three and half hour to reach the cave with all breaks including drinking 'Madi' from villager, on the way.
We all had our pack lunches and also enjoyed sandwiches made by Nivedita and Apurva. Carrots, oranges and cucumber is must when you are doing this type of climb.
Sanju carried all that weight in his sack for all of us. After half n hour sleep at 1pm we started descending as Chetan was warning from the start of the trek the rock was really hot. Looking down the fall made scary to Nitin but then Mangesh came and helped him to descend and finally the last person, the guide reach the stright base of the rock patch after half an hour. Yes, instead of again crossing the traverse we decided to descend straight down. From there we hault at place where there is remnants of temple of God Bahiri. Here again we had salad and desert, Puranpoli by Makarand Bapat. Trek hard eat harder is nowadays funda of unit's treks.:)
From there we took three hours to reach village. There is a water source before plateau which guide showed us but it was just small stream which will last only for a month.
After coming back to village we got freash up and had hot tea which was badly required after straining trek. How will we miss 'Vada-Pav' for any trek in Karjat region?
At junction, we had 'Vada-Pav' and then zoomed by Sanju's driving or rather racing skill...

Here are some pics by Mangesh Sannake, Makarand Bapat, Apurva Barve & Snehit Joshi.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/570148771jhlXBr

Vasota Nageshwar Republican Day 09

Stay in Vasota jungle and Republican Day celebration at Nageshwar caves is memorable experience. We, YHAIK group celebrates Independence Day & Republican Day with Nature. This time we decided to celebrate at Vasota-Nageshwar. We went through Parel-Satara bus and from Satara hired jeep till Bamnoli. The entire route from Satara to Bamnoli is picturesque. We could also mark a difference of the same route as we been there in September. The variation of nature is amazing and once again was serene with the entire beauty.

After reaching Bamnoli one have to struggle for permission and also for launch. Since we were bit late we had to convince F.O. about our stay and how can we manage on our own with our tents. Finally we got the permission and proceed to Met Indavali, the base of Vasota. The entire launch journey is a unique experience. You feel as if you are going to different world. After hour and half we reached the campsite at Met Indavali. After pitching our tent we started our trek to Vasota. Even after doing all timepass we reached the top of Vasota within two and half hours.

The deep jungle valley surrounding Vasota is astonishing. One will really get lost if gets into forest without any information of direction. BabuKada really makes to recall of KokanKada and top of that Old Vasota is like tiara on the jungle. Simply marvelous…

We took an hour to roam entire fort and then had our lunch. By the time we started our return journey at four the sun also started going back to home. On the way stream side we freshen up and then directly came to campsite, as it was getting dark.

Courtesy to Tanvi and Sameer we got delicious Rice and Curry while we were enjoying the Flute performance by Nagesh. He also sung old melodies, which were comforting with the jungle calmness.

Going for loo and cleaning utensils at lakeside were only daunting work in that darkness where you could hear all the yowling sounds. It was very thrilling too and we were actually waiting to see at least one animal but in vein, we could only hear them…

Next day early morning we started out trek with local guard through stream route, which goes to the backside of Nageshwar caves at ‘Kund’, water-tank. The entire route is bliss as you are totally in the shadow and ascend is too gradual. On the way we met the group who got scared on the way from Nageshwar to Vasota and created whole chaos! After three hours we reached the Nageshwar caves.

The other public at caves also participated for Flag Hosting. The tribute to Tiranga in the caves, in front of deep valley was awesome experience. We feel really proud for our Nation when we sing our National anthem all together even with people unknown to us!

Since the guard advised us about sunstroke at first patch while descending Chorvane side, we decided to move quickly from the caves. The scree route at the start makes your speed slow and that’s where one takes time to descend. But once you clear the first patch then you just have to walk and walk and walk…
One also has to carry enough of water as sun directly heats you and there is hardly any shelter or water source on the way. After four hours descend we finally reached the base village. None of us were in mood to have lunch but still had some thepals and went to catch ST for Chiplun. After reaching Chiplun had some snacks and got to seat in the crowded bus as we reserved our tickets well in advance.
Three cheers to all of us for wonderful celebration of Republican Day!!!
Check the snaps at : http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/569845449uUsRbh

The timings:
Parel Satara – 6hours
Satara Bamnoli – 1:30mnts
Bamnoli Met Indavali – 1:30mnts
Met Indavali Vasota – 2:30mnts
Vasota Met Indavali – 2 hours
Met Indavali Nageshwar steam route – 3 hours
Nageshwar Chorvane – 4 hours
Chorvane Chiplun - 1:15mnts

Chiplun Mumbai – 6:30mnts

Rasalgad-Sumargad-Mahipatgad Dec 08

On 24th to 28th Dec, YHAIK group went to do a range at Koynanagar of three forts namely Rasalgad, Sumargad and Mahipatgad.
We, nine of us started our journey from Thane at 10pm and reached Khed at 5pm. Had breakfast at ST canteen and proceed our journey
towards Tale village by catching another ST going to Dahivali village.
From Tale we started our nature trail in fog. It was nice walk sometimes on tar road sometimes mud-path and rising sun was with us to welcome.
The entire route goes through different small villages i.e. wadi, like Bandarwadi, Gawalwadi, etc. At top we reached Nimni alias Ghera Rasalgad, which is the base of Rasalgad from Tale side. It takes an hour to reach the top of the fort from this wadi. We had small break and some snacks at this place and enjoyed watching cricket of local kids at around 1000ft.
While climbing Rasalgad at left hand side one can see Rasalwadi. The height of Rasalgad is of 1770ft and have very easy to approach as vehicle can reach upto Nimni village. We took five hours to reach from Tale village to the top of the fort. We stayed in Zolai Devi temple, which have Deepmal and tank of drinking water next to the temple.
We had our lunch and then relaxed till eve and then left for site seeing. There are lots of canons, small structures, and one storage room on the fort.
For dinner we enjoyed delicious Pulav made by Padmaja and then Masala-milk made by Vaishali.
Next day we left early morning for Sumargad & Mahipatgad with one guide from Rasalwadi. We took five hours to reach the base of Sumargad. The height of fort is 2000ft and is graded as difficult. To climb the fort one has to reach the back of the fort and then climb 30 ft rock-patch. Our guide took us to the top from easier route so we climbed the rock-patch without rope. Sumargad have very small cave and two water tanks. One can see entire range from the top. There is also one pillar water-storage at the top. While descending we put the rope for safety.
After Sumargad we proceed to Mahipatgad and reach the base of village, Wadi Beldar in three hours. Since it was 6pm we decided to had dinner and then to climb Mahipatgad. Our guide from Rasalgad was not sure to search temple in the night so he went back. At Wadi, we had tasty dinner made by Parvati Aji, we all were impressed by her hospitality, the kindness... a real village touch!
We started our night trek with the help of local guide from Wadi. The fort is of 3090ft and is easy to climb. Mahipatgad is totally surrounded by dense forest and also one can see wild animals.
We stayed in Pareshwar temple and could hear roaring sounds whole night. Next day morning, we covered most of the fort area, which includes four entrances of the fort.
By noon we descend to Wadi Beldar and had lunch again at Aji's place. By 4pm we left Wadi beldar and started our journey back to Dahivali village. From Wadi we crossed the two hills, one valley and from one Pass we came to the other side of the hill that were going down to Dahivali. Since it was getting dark we decided to halt at one villager's house, which was only shelter in that area on the way rather than going to Dahivali village. Our decision was right as there was some function in the village and also we would had to search for shelter and food.
Staying in the open, having Soup and Kanda-Bhaji, discussion about history and songs in the night...a perfect camping at the last night of our trek!
Early morning we descend to Dahivali village and caught the bus going to Khed and from Khed we immediately got the bus for Mumbai. The four days trek was entirely fun-filled with Vaishali, Padmaja, Tushar, Nitin, Amod and Paresh

Have a look...
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/569443794uuRvEo

Nali Route Climb Dec 2008

Harishchandragad through Nalichi Vat [Nali Route] 5-7th Dec 08

Last weekend, we YHAI-Kandivali Unit leaders did Harishchandragad through Nali route in Malshej ghat region.
The height of Harishchandragad is 4671 ft [from sea level] and of Kokankada is 1312 ft. Kokan Kada is a huge semi-circular rock wall and gives terrific sight.
We left on Friday noon from Kalyan and stayed at Walivare [Belpada], the base village of Nali.
Next morning 6am we started our trek and after an hour at giant steps we had our breakfast. The nali route is risky as it has loose rocks. There are three rock patches and one traverse. But we all, with the help of our senior and experienced trekkers like Anil, Sanju and Kishore did this trek quite easily.
We had royal snacks starting from Apple to cashew, which we enjoyed after every rock patch. For me the traverse and last rock patch was challenging. But again all my friends were there to teach me:)
At last at 3pm we were at Mighty Kokankada. It was a feeling of achievement after doing rigorous trek. Each one of us fully enjoyed the teamwork, the boosting, the royal snacks, the teasing and off course after so many days a campfire in chilling winter.
Next day while descending we took Khireshwar route, which is quite easier and we started our journey back through Malshej Ghat.
In organizing trek for others we miss the communication with our fellow trek leaders. But in this trek we all enjoyed every moment.

Check the snaps at

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/569445291tqhqwS

Hatgad August 31, 2008

On Sunday, 31st August went to Hatgad near Nashik with friends Avinash, Sumedha & Prachet [Pilu]
Check the snaps http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/566742825RYzwRP