The year 2014 was not such a good one and I hoped the year 2015 would bring with it good tidings.We can only hope for the best and make the best of what we get in life.Like they say,it is up to you to play your cards well,irrespective of which cards you get.I decided to make the dawn of 2015 unforgettable.Every year new year meant a party in my building complex where we had god food,cake-cutting,dancing and a few games to bring in the new year.This year I made up my mind to challenge myself and climb up the highest peak in Maharashtra's Sahyadri range-Kalsubai.I registered myself with Mumbai Travellers at the nth hour literally because I had to choose between Gorakhgad and Kalsubai. Frankly speaking,I chose Kalsubai because I read that it was an easier trek as compared to Gorakhgad and I thought why go for a difficult trek, so I chose Kalsubai.How wrong I was in my assumptions!!!
We started the trek with a long train ride to Kasara from where we took jeeps that took us to the base village Bari after a two hour ride.As we had to wait for the next group that was to reach later, we just had some time bonding with the new and old trekkers(for me all were new and not one familiar face around).I really wish I knew about the option of joining later for the trek as I had to take leave from work to make it here earlier.We all had a taste of great black tea and then made groups and played games till the others arrived.I played story completion and dumb charades while the other two groups enjoyed the much hyped Mafia game.When the rest of the trekkers came we had dinner comprising of spicy biryani and pickle.The biryani was too spicy for most of us .We rested a bit and went to the nearby temple for introductions and instructions.We also decided to celebrate Mumbai travellers completion of three years of trekking which had begun at Kalsubai itself.What a great moment for them!the introductions went on for quite some time as there were about 101 trekkers,the first time I ventured out with such a large group.There were many leads and co-leads as the number was huge.The leaders looked very enthusiastic and capable and they introduced themselves.I had read about Mumbai travellers and had come on the referral by Siddhant Churi who was an FB trekker friend I had never ever met.I met him at the temple and hardly got to chat throughout as he was one of the busy co-leads.
So we set off for the night trek after the cake-cutting that took place at 12 sharp.The trek was long and tiring.We had to walk through some rough patches where we had to struggle and at times we had a simple walk.There were iron ladders and stone steps we had to ascend at times and these made the trek more thrilling and challenging.On the way we passed the local temple and one of the leads,Ishaan narrated the story of Kalsubai,the local deity.Soon we reached the place where we had decided to camp until dawn.We were to climb the summit only after sunrise.We were told it was going to be cold and windy up by the leads but what we experienced was something else!It was bone-chilling cold out there and though I did my best to get a few minutes of sleep,it was not possible as I was shivering in spite of the blanket and sweater.There was a small bonfire lit and all were vying or the best spot there.Many came prepared with their sleeping bags and it was decided that next time I went for an overnight trek I would go with my sleeping bag for sure.I hoped to witness a bright dawn of 2015 the next daybreak but I was disappointed just like all the other trekkers as the clouds hovered around during daybreak and we also had a slight drizzle.I hoped the rains would not play spoilsport any more and luckily it didn't.Morning was a flurry of activity as everyone was clicking pictures of the wonderful landscape and a few were preparing Maggi for breakfast.There was a well there and a small tapri where a local villager was making tea and garam onion bhajjias for the hungry trekkers.I really relished my hot masala Maggi and hot and tasty tea.We began on our last lap of our trek to the top.A few more ladders and many steps later we reached the top.What a splendid view we had up there!The exuberance I felt cannot be described.I was really amazed to see the beauty around me,mountains and valleys surrounded us from all sides.There was a small,bright, red temple of Kalsubai at the top.Reaching there I felt I had really accomplished something and I got the feeling that I was in a better position to face challenges that would come my way.Being at the highest point in Maharashtra really brought about a lot of positivity in me.We clicked many photographs and selfies and had a group picture after which we all held hands and sand aloud the National Anthem.It really felt great to do so.(Great idea leaders!)
After some time there we began our descend.The descend was as tough as the ascend.Looking at the route we took I was surprised we climbed such a tough route in pitch darkness only with our torches.The ladders we climbed so easily at night looked scary in the daylight.We took each step with immense caution on the rickety iron ladders and made our way down at our own speed.We reached the base village at about 1 noon.Two other smaller groups came nearly an hour later as most probably they had lost their way and had taken another route(according to what I heard)Of course,they came back safe and had lunch after us.We freshened up and had lunch and then immediately left for the station as most of us wanted to reach before dark. For lunch we had rice,daal, papads, gewda masala bhaji and pickle.The food could surely have been much better as I have had better food at my earlier treks.The ride back to the station was uneventful as I slept all the way being dead tired.Then after the long train ride it was back to amchi Mumbai.I reached quite early so I could have some much needed rest.All in all it was a wonderful experience with the Mumbai Travellers.Made a few new trekker friends and had a new experience of celebrating new year differently.
Hoping to have a great new year this 2015.
I must add that I have already seen some great things happening this month so maybe my trek to Kalsubai has really been lucky for me.Hope this positive streak continues throughout the year.
We started the trek with a long train ride to Kasara from where we took jeeps that took us to the base village Bari after a two hour ride.As we had to wait for the next group that was to reach later, we just had some time bonding with the new and old trekkers(for me all were new and not one familiar face around).I really wish I knew about the option of joining later for the trek as I had to take leave from work to make it here earlier.We all had a taste of great black tea and then made groups and played games till the others arrived.I played story completion and dumb charades while the other two groups enjoyed the much hyped Mafia game.When the rest of the trekkers came we had dinner comprising of spicy biryani and pickle.The biryani was too spicy for most of us .We rested a bit and went to the nearby temple for introductions and instructions.We also decided to celebrate Mumbai travellers completion of three years of trekking which had begun at Kalsubai itself.What a great moment for them!the introductions went on for quite some time as there were about 101 trekkers,the first time I ventured out with such a large group.There were many leads and co-leads as the number was huge.The leaders looked very enthusiastic and capable and they introduced themselves.I had read about Mumbai travellers and had come on the referral by Siddhant Churi who was an FB trekker friend I had never ever met.I met him at the temple and hardly got to chat throughout as he was one of the busy co-leads.
So we set off for the night trek after the cake-cutting that took place at 12 sharp.The trek was long and tiring.We had to walk through some rough patches where we had to struggle and at times we had a simple walk.There were iron ladders and stone steps we had to ascend at times and these made the trek more thrilling and challenging.On the way we passed the local temple and one of the leads,Ishaan narrated the story of Kalsubai,the local deity.Soon we reached the place where we had decided to camp until dawn.We were to climb the summit only after sunrise.We were told it was going to be cold and windy up by the leads but what we experienced was something else!It was bone-chilling cold out there and though I did my best to get a few minutes of sleep,it was not possible as I was shivering in spite of the blanket and sweater.There was a small bonfire lit and all were vying or the best spot there.Many came prepared with their sleeping bags and it was decided that next time I went for an overnight trek I would go with my sleeping bag for sure.I hoped to witness a bright dawn of 2015 the next daybreak but I was disappointed just like all the other trekkers as the clouds hovered around during daybreak and we also had a slight drizzle.I hoped the rains would not play spoilsport any more and luckily it didn't.Morning was a flurry of activity as everyone was clicking pictures of the wonderful landscape and a few were preparing Maggi for breakfast.There was a well there and a small tapri where a local villager was making tea and garam onion bhajjias for the hungry trekkers.I really relished my hot masala Maggi and hot and tasty tea.We began on our last lap of our trek to the top.A few more ladders and many steps later we reached the top.What a splendid view we had up there!The exuberance I felt cannot be described.I was really amazed to see the beauty around me,mountains and valleys surrounded us from all sides.There was a small,bright, red temple of Kalsubai at the top.Reaching there I felt I had really accomplished something and I got the feeling that I was in a better position to face challenges that would come my way.Being at the highest point in Maharashtra really brought about a lot of positivity in me.We clicked many photographs and selfies and had a group picture after which we all held hands and sand aloud the National Anthem.It really felt great to do so.(Great idea leaders!)
After some time there we began our descend.The descend was as tough as the ascend.Looking at the route we took I was surprised we climbed such a tough route in pitch darkness only with our torches.The ladders we climbed so easily at night looked scary in the daylight.We took each step with immense caution on the rickety iron ladders and made our way down at our own speed.We reached the base village at about 1 noon.Two other smaller groups came nearly an hour later as most probably they had lost their way and had taken another route(according to what I heard)Of course,they came back safe and had lunch after us.We freshened up and had lunch and then immediately left for the station as most of us wanted to reach before dark. For lunch we had rice,daal, papads, gewda masala bhaji and pickle.The food could surely have been much better as I have had better food at my earlier treks.The ride back to the station was uneventful as I slept all the way being dead tired.Then after the long train ride it was back to amchi Mumbai.I reached quite early so I could have some much needed rest.All in all it was a wonderful experience with the Mumbai Travellers.Made a few new trekker friends and had a new experience of celebrating new year differently.
Hoping to have a great new year this 2015.
I must add that I have already seen some great things happening this month so maybe my trek to Kalsubai has really been lucky for me.Hope this positive streak continues throughout the year.
