Back from Mullayanagiri Trek

came back from Mullayanagiri-Bababudangiri. it was an awesome experience!!

Friday Night: myself and Dheepak went to M.G.Road near Symphony Theatre. From office to M.G.Road it took almost 2 hours(we took Hosur road ofcourse). Most of the people were already there waiting for the bus. Ina, Abhay all were already there.

All were eagerly waiting for the bus. as usual, keeping in mind the BMC tradition, Neeraj told that he was still doing packing. but yes, packing this time was a tough and lengthy procedure (head count was 80!!!!!). I seriously thought that it would be a real mess. but well, it turned out to be a smooth one.

we started at around 11:30

Saturday Morning: the bus stopped at some place very near to Chikmagalur (might be one or two kms). I was really happy to see that it was not raining like the last time (only 4 weeks back we went, and it was raining cats and dogs).

the bus again came to life. we were tired, could not sleep properly; so for sometime had no sense absolutely. after sometime I realized that the bus is motionless. woke up only to find out that we already crossed the point Sarpadhari (which is the starting point of Mullayanagiri trek) and covered almost 2-3 kms after Sarpadhari.

driver said that it was not possible to go down with the loaded bus, so we started walking down, amidst moss covered trees, passing by beautiful hills, wild flowers...

then after some 1 hour when we reached Sarpadhari, found that it was already late (7:30). So we dropped the idea of breakfast.

Mullayanagiri Ascent: Initial half an hour was moderately steep, at some places it was a bit risky with the backpack. with us another group was also climbing. I was chatting with one guy of the group whole way. man, he was carrying a big sack and it was really difficult for him. mostly rocks are the problem. these become sleepery with the rainfall. still everybody was so confident, we did not find it difficult.

weather was real good, ideal for trekking. misty, little chilled, little sunny, perfect weather it was. I was taking frequent halts to take snaps.

after around 1 hour we got the first Nandi statue. This is the famous indication of the right trail. the place has a roof like structure made out of rock. we took rest for 5 minutes there, took some snaps and again started.

after another 20 minutes, got the second Nandi, this time inside a cave. we took a look inside the cave. it was deep inside.

2 minutes after that we reached on the top and got the third Nandi. There it is overlooking the valley. It was calling us to the Shiva temple. Yes, there is a temple on the top of the Hill. it looks a fort. The pujari and few others live there. We met the famous cat (I read about this cat in numerous blogs and travelogues), someone offered biscuits. It was comfortable with outsiders.
After half an hour or one, we started again for Base.

Climbing down: It was easy, and we leisurely walked enjoying the view of the valley. it was this time when we were meeting each other, last night we did not have idea where others come from.
after some time we all sat down. shared the biscuits, chocolates and the drinks (not those type :)).

one or two leeches got detected but we were a good lot, nobody did any harm to them, only bit of salt. and those fellows were resting on rocks after getting sufficient food....

at around 2, we were at the base. Neeraj was waiting for us with the lunch ready. we finished lunch as quickly as can.

we were ready for Bababudangiri Trek and took off.

Bababudangiri Trek: Now this trek came out to be a tough one. Land or clay area were less, rocks were more. so certainly it was more difficult than Mullayanagiri. now came another companion, rain with its full force. and wind was strong as ever.

all the guys were very lively. as the trek was becoming more difficult, the intensity and frequency of jokes and laughter was becoming more. we were having a very very good time. after all all the people present there were wanting some different sort of fun and thrill. and they were having it to the fullest.

after reaching a point, we were not able to find any trail. we tried to contact Neeraj on walkie talkie, who was the only person who knew the route. but it turned out to be a joke. we found out that the other set was also with one of us. now we were having both the walkie talkies with us and no idea about the trail.

some Sherpas (:)) went to find out the trail and tried real hard. after half an hour or 45 minutes they gave up. we decided to come back. in that weather, it was the only option that we had.
anyways, we were happy and content to climb up the Mullayanagiri which is the highest peak of Karnataka.

Saturday Night: We came down to the base again and walked till the point where the bus was waiting for us. we went to Bababudangiri by road. At Bababudangiri weather was worst than ever. It was not possible to camp, so we took some rooms on rent. yes, at night we did campfire!!

Sunday Morning: It was still raining when somebody informed that no guide is ready to go for the Bababudangiri-Kemmangundi Trek which was 25 kms.
after a long discussion, and keeping in mind about Monday's Office, we started for Kemmangundi by bus.

When we reached Raj Bhaban in Kemmangundi, we had two options to choose from. One was to visit Hebbe Falls. Another was to go to Shanti Falls and Z-Point.

Some of us took the second option and headed towards it. Z-Point is an amazing place. Wind is so strong there, it seems that it can really blow you away!! we spent long time there at the top.
Suddenly Uday (our manager :) ) said "lets go to hebbe falls"!!and we hurried...

it was already 5:00 on my watch!!

when we came back to Raj Bhavan, we got a jeep. but the driver was not at all ready to go as it would soon be dark. realizing that we were confident, he ultimately agreed.

the road was real bad to hebbe falls (or no road?)... when we almost reached there, we saw all the other people in the group coming back. while going I found a young leech on the left leg, could not be generous to offer more blood.

very little light was available when we crossed three streams partly walking, partly running. when we reached Hebbe falls, it was neraly dark, still we got to feel the magnitude!! It was an awesome feeling of winning. we were the only people from the team who did all the points in half day.

when coming back, we hold each others' hands , made a human chain and crossed the streams which had strong water current.

and rest all were possible because of the driver. I was seating beside the driver in front seat. on the back others were singing, enjoying. I was watching the driver.. after every turn he was taking, he was chanting prayer. it was an experience!!

Sunday Night: after a long photo session, with the headlights of the buses on; we started for Bangalore. And yes, before that removed the second leech from right leg!! :)

check photo @ http://picasaweb.google.com/ayankhasnabis/MullayanagiriTrek