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| 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.
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| 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).
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| 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..
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| The Route I walked on |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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).
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| 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).
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| 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...
So what do we do when things don’t work out?? Quit?? Nope…
well am a stubborn person… I will try until either one of us gives up me or the
idea {and between u guys and me..honestly I never give up ;)}
Why I aint giving up, answering that:
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