Kodachadri - Exploring a New Route

The View of Beauty...

Hi People,

How y'all..

Let me start this blog by explaining why I needed a break.

Joined a cool job, was engrossed in it for 3 months continuously with minimal break. Hence decided to break free and planned a trip which would get me rejuvenated..

The initial plan was to go to Ombattu gudda (tough route – an amazing and mind blowing trek, but unfortunately there were permission issues and decided that I would reconsider this place after a little more planning)

Finally decided on Kodachadri (I’ve been here before but I wanted a break so bad!).

After a short planning, I got my backpack ready and headed to the bus stand.. Spoke to the conductor in the bus and got info on new route. Direct Bus to Nittur and a new route for the trek.. Damn I was up for it…

Boarded a normal KSRTC red bus (not really that great, but since I was excited I didn’t feel the pinch). The bus started off @ 9:15PM(the bus made a looooot of pit stops ahead in the journey, making it a loooooong trip).

I slept through the journey, woke up couple of times to check how far I was and returned back to my sweet slumber.

Finally the bus reached Nittur @ 7:00AM, I got down from the bus and went straight to the closest hotel (Sri Vinayaka Hotel) to jump on the food & re-energize myself. Had amazing Mangalore Buns in the hotel and freshened up.


After some walk I saw a board – “Hidlumane Falls”, was curious so asked the hotel staff for more info. He informed that the falls was enroute to Kodachadri and it’s just another route to the hill.

The Turn to the Start

I was all ears to everything he said and asked for his help for the directions and started my journey towards it..

He had asked me to head 1.5 kms in the tar road and turn left after the newly constructed bridge… (I walked for more than 2 kms).

2 way

Started the trek finally, the jungle, the soothing music (birds chirping, sound of the wind kissing the leaves, movement of the thin branches etc etc).. Found a 2 way road and took the wrong route (ended up reaching a house and they helped me with the right direction, although they were surprised when I told them that I was alone and planning on Hidlumane falls route)


After being guided to the right route kept walking, until I met a small store which had some snacks and butter milk to drink, I bought some snacks and asked directions to the Waterfall..

The Route I walked on

Tough Rote Walk

This was a little tricky as I went to the falls 3 times and returned, I assumed that there was a route from the falls. So I returned to the shop and asked him the route, he said that I would have to walk across the falls itself (Wasn’t that a very steep climb!). I went back and started trekking across the slippery rocks helping the water fall down, I fell couple of times (its a rock that’s slippery!A fall is a must), then I decided rocks weren’t the option, so I headed out to the jungle attached to the falls and it was quite steep. I was trekking by holding on to the tree branches / roots etc, couple of times those barks and roots broke or got uprooted and I almost fell (wow that was scary, my heart skipped a beat as it was a direct fall on the rock from quite a height, picturing this gets me the chills!). Somehow I reached the top and to my surprise it was a thick forest with no route, I was exhausted climbing (or running up rather), and to add to my misery there was no water to rehydrate myself. I was out of breath and water, started seeing black spots, but I had to complete the trek, so I started walking ahead trying to figure out a way into the thick forest. I had no intention to climb down the tough path I had just taken (a fall would mean serious damage). Thus went to explore the forest. Took a lot of rest as I was already exhausted and my mind was playing games with me (simple dried leaves looked like a wild animal) and I had to console myself that it was safe and kept walking slowly.
                     


I just kept walking with the hope that, once I reach the top I can figure out a way back, jumping fallen trees and squeezing myself to get myself out of that thick forest.

I was dizzy and tired, I needed water so desperately. The Sun was also at its best, hitting the right target. So used a towel to cover my head to prevent the sun's ghory cruelty.

My Saviour...

I sat down for a while as my lips n mouth had gotten dry. I opened my backpack to try n see if I get something to quench my thirst and to my luck I found pomegranate seeds and started munching on them (a little sour, but had the water in it).. That kept me going.


I reached the top finally and it was beautiful. Clouds were passing the top of the mountain and it was mesmerizing. I felt that this scenery was worth all the risk and trouble.
Enjoyed the ups and downs of the path.

Once I reached the path I dint find anyone there, no noise at all. I walked on the path and to my luck found some used bottles (lucky because people have passed this route), so i went on the path for a good 30 mins and tried searching new routes to make it easier as the pomegranate seeds were almost consumed.

After walking for 45 mins, I heard a jeep pass by,yelled out whistled and made a lot of noise for them to respond, but tough luck, went towards the last heard noise and started walking towards it... and after sometime found the jeep track and asked one of the jeep guys the direction to the top. Once he showed the route, I started walking in the jeep track for a while then tried shortcuts :-)

Finally reached the peak and to my surprise many things had changed, what was once a haunted house had become a guest house, there were caretakers and a chef who helped me make my stay comfortable. Reached there and settled at 2 PM... Its a looong stay from there.. it was continuously drizzling and rained heavy in between. I rested (slept, watched a movie in my mobile) and then took bath in a cold water (brrr.. )cold weather and cold water aint a good combination.

Slugs

After freshening up went for a trek to the peak (had missed this last time). Mist was everywhere and it was close to zero visibility and windy too.. kept walking till I reached the highest peak (the temple), stayed here for a while, observed the sky, surroundings etc and was lost in it... the wind was carrying water (Mist) and because i stood against the wind there were droplets of water in my eye brows, eye lashes, my devil beard etc (couldn't take a picture as it was too windy and my mobile aint waterproof so din risk it). Got some cool snaps of wild life (2 slugs mating).

After standing there for a good 30-40 mins headed back in the slippery track to the guest house to rest (btw- there is another stay zone, never really stayed there as the owner doesn't allow single people to stay - says they might kill themselves, for people in group can try this place).

Guest house Panaroma

I reached the guest house and had a long time-pass chat with the caretaker, after a while the guesthouse was almost full, people (lots of people) came in and wanted to stay. Well it was fun watching people check rooms, examine the area, group chats etc. The time ran faster after this and had dinner and slept like a baby. (had a plan to get up early and try catching the sunrise- was tough as it was raining and cloudy all the time).

The Top...

Got up around 5:30 am and headed out to check if i get a glance, to my luck nothing was visible, still went to the top and got back around 7:30 am. Had a fast breakfast (lemon rice, and real yummy too) and decided to walk towards Nittur. The caretaker suggested to take a jeep and go as he will charge a minimal fare (was tempting as i had couple of falls and my legs were begging me to go in the jeep ).
Went to the Jeep area and checked if there was a seat, Luckily found one and told he is expecting the passengers to come around 9:15 am. so i waited as it was only a half an hour wait. it was more than an hour and people hadn't returned, i was almost dying of boredom (just waiting doing nothing, looking at the clock for the journey to begin).

Finally people showed up at 11am and we started our journey. Reached the bus stop at 11:30 am and boarded a bus to Shimoga (as the one to Bangalore was unavailable). Reached Shimoga and boarded the Bangalore bus. Enjoyed some mini meal and back to bengaluru @ 1am; boarded a local bus and reached home safe and sound.

Thank you For reading, Enjoy...