Trek form Mullayanagiri to Bababudangiri

      This trek is a gift from the heavens above, after months of trying and failing to register for a trek with BASC. All this adds to the fun memories I have taken back with me after this trek. J Almost a week long’s wait for the trek was definitely the most challenging part of the trek I would say  :P  My buddies Jahnavi ,Roopa and Jahnavi’s colleague Rashmi agreed for the trek and seeing all our names in the confirmed list was such a happy moment. Though Jahnavi and I have been friends for more than five years, this was our first trip together and also this trek has been my first two day trek which I swore to myself that I would do it this year, so this trek has been all the more special. Thanks Vinay J  And thanks to the rest of the team for making the treknic so amazing J

          Packing and unpacking on Friday night, didn’t know how time flew, but we still managed to reach on time at majestic in front of Shantala house .Then it was almost an hour’s long wait for the bus to arrive. Ram joining us for the trip was a pleasant surprise, another familiar BASC member apart from Vinay. There were other BASC teams waiting for the buses. We were the last ones to leave. I remember the scene how when all of us boarded the bus for the first time, how everyone just kept to themselves, excitement in the air, but still so composed. It was such a contrast to how we all at the end of this journey had parted. Trying to catch up on sleep which never really happened during the bus journey and somewhere midway our bus had come to a halt because the radiator had overheated. The time spent near the toll gate waiting for the bus to get fixed was a mini introduction round among the team members. Ah! J  the joy of being around like minded people, all for the love of trekking! J

          Around 6 on a Saturday morning we reached the town of Chikmagalur. Got refreshed, had hot and tasty breakfast, further down the road packed lunch for the trek and now we were all ready for the trek. Reached the starting point, Sarpadhaari. Vinay addressing the whole  team about the trek. All of us took preventive measures against  leech attacks, luckily none of us encountered it. The day was warm and sunny,perfect for a trek. There was another team,BMC also taking the same route. As the hike up the mountain started ,the initial moments went in just trying to capture every bit of the view surrounding us and realizing the fact that it was a pretty steep climb. With all the deep breathe exercises being practiced while climbing up, that even a yoga master cannot teach you,to keep up with the team. With frequent breaks and Gatorade to the rescue, we managed to climb this mountain. Every time we thought we had reached the peak, she would elude us by showing another mesmerizing part of the mountain yet to be conquered. And finally enjoying every moment, we reached the Mullayanagiri peak. Spent some time up there, half explored a cave, offered our prayers in the temple on top on the mountain.

And our organizer saying,”This is not even 20% of the trek, come on lets go.” we headed to the next phase of our trek. Slight downhill, slight straight path. This is when I really lost track of time and my mind was completely focused on the trek route. And at times when we look back at the path we trekked through, it would take us by surprise, thinking,Wow! we did all that JAs we descended down the mountain, we reached the road and from there like wild animals we crossed the road only to disappear in to the wilderness again. This time we were hiking on the ridge of the mountains, to reach the greener pastures were we had decided to have lunch. Rested and energized for the second part of the trek. The goal was to reach the bsnl tower on Bababudangiri. Uphill,downhill don’t know how many mountains we crossed, turn back and no sight of the place where we had started this journey. And finally we made it to the tower. The happiness on everyone’s face after a successful trek was evident. From there ,there was another 20 mins walk to the entrance of manikyadhara falls,where we could find shops for refreshments.

          While the bus driver was doubtful whether his bus would make  it to the top,we decided to rent a jeep and head towards where he had halted and camp. To our surprise,our bus driver had taken a chance to ride to the top of the mountain,so that we could camp by a pond on top. The initial plan was to camp at Galikere, but we soon dropped it as nature had her own plans for the evening.

         Excited that we would be camping near a pond,out came the tents and the guys had gathered firewood for the evening bonfire intro round.While putting up the tents,it would drizzle in every few mins and like an army drill we would all take shelter under the tarpaulin sheet also trying to keep the firewood dry. Every event of the evening was done with so much enthusiasm by every member of the team,it wouldn’t have occurred to the passer by that we had trekked 12kms through the mountains.

Also a big thanks to Ram,the ladies man,who so courteously offered to take the backpacks on our behalf while trekking all the way, and not to forget our Organizer Vinay too.

          Bonfire moments was filled with leg pulling sessions, acting and singing. Then finally the mat was laid for a community dinner.With the ladies taking their seats in distributing food for the hungry souls. Time was now nearing midnight,all of us given our respective tents,settled in for the night,with still giggles here and there,we managed to survive the chilling night. Some slept well and some waited for the break of dawn. Morning mist so beautiful, no words to explain. Three cheers to the boys as they did all the hard work of removing the tents.We headed to the shops below to have some breakfast and from there we headed back to Chikmagalur town to have brunch.

          Due to the cyclone effect the trek to Kemmanagundi was cancelled and visit to the Belur temple and halebidu was proposed as plan D. At the temple we hired a guide to really put a light on the history surrounding the magnificent temple and the kings and artisans that help build this wonder on stone. A dream project I would say. Time seemed to have slowed down, enjoying a slow paced evening with more snacks and with our very own BASC musicians . We headed from this place. We missed out on Halebidu as we ran out of time according to our bus driver. We stopped by at Kamat restaurant to snack once again. While heading back to Bangalore,the time was spent playing anthakshari of hindi and kannada songs,a unique experience.:) None of us really wanted to head back home,everyone enjoying every bit of it. Finally on request and being the birthday boy, Pritesh did the lungi dance for us using his scarf, and how he did it I leave it to your imagination.

         We met, we conquered, we laughed, and now it was time for us to part. Another memory added to the trek dairies, and not mentioning on how it really ended,for the journey still continues, until we meet again. I wish you all many more Happy treks with fond memories.

Two girlies,Two bikes SHIVAGANGE

        Wow! a longer ride after so many months.This ride happened before the bikerni ride,but posting now.The satisfaction that comes after a ride is great. :) The plan for the day was something else,as usual someone has to drop out and we quickly turned it into a bike ride day. It was my friend Roopa's first bike ride outside Bangalore. So we chose the Tumkur road to a destination called Shivagange. 55 kms from Bangalore.An as usual the ride time got delayed because I had to take my bike from the service station and we head out at 11:30 am. Signboards are put up to this place.The highway was boring to ride.We stopped for refreshments,tender coconut. According to the signboard,there was still 18 kms to Shivagange,deviating towards the left from Dabaspet. But Roopa found another signboard saying take left to Shivagange,just 7 kms. I was a little skeptical taking the village limits road and thinking what if we loose our way.But that decision we made turned out to be the best! Amazing road!!!! I mean it. The scenery and newly laid road,one couldn't ask for more. Just didn't wanted to be disturbed to stop and take the pics.Both of us just kept riding. :) Beautiful so beautiful :) that's all I can say and all I told myself was,"This is why I ride." It looked like a painting,so complete in itself. The smell of that place was also amazing. We reached the town,there's a entrance fee of Rs 10/- We took our shoes at the base entrance of the hill,YOU don't have to do that. There are footwear stands just before entering the temple.We visited the shiva temple and half way up the hill there's another temple,lucky we made it on time up that hill to visit the temple. All the shrines are inside the caves with one opening being the entrance and exit.
      There was still another two hours trek up to the top of the hill.Since we ran out of time,Shivagange is still on my list to visit. Amazing place for people who love to trek. The hill is pretty challenging,out of all the ones day treks I have done so far. We trekked the hill Barefoot. My personal experience is,trekking up hill barefoot feels ok but coming down even the tiniest stone is trying to pierce through the skin.
       Before we started our journey back home,rested for a while,then slowly made our way towards our bikes,partly excited that I would be riding through that 7km stretch again :) We had parked our bikes in front of  some ruined houses not really sure if people stay in that. There was an old lady sitting at the entrance to that ruined house,which happened to be right in front of our bikes. Her smile beautiful! just a random conversation with her,about where are we from,etc etc... It was hard to take my eyes of her,she being so old,there was a sparkle in her eyes,that you don't come across often. The radiance on her face which no fairness or aging creams can ever give you.The simplicity she depicted and therefore so joyful from within,was something that made me turn back and look at her for the last time before we waved our good byes to each other,something that is still so fresh in my mind. :) Sometimes I am amazed because,where you'd think you'll find happiness is not where you would find it,but totally somewhere,where you least expect it and then you ask yourself,What makes us truly Happy?