On Friday evening of 2nd December 2011, hiding from my managers sight I left office at around 4 o'clock.Got my food packed form office because we were not going to get any human thing to eat during our 2 days trek.
It was cited as a medium genre track in GHAC website and it was my 9th trek with GHAC. As usual I was very excited about this weekend trek. We were later told that our Event host is been changed and Aleem would be leading us for our trek now.
Train was scheduled to leave at 8, but in Hyderabad traffic reaching Gachibowli to Secunderabad and that too through public transport made it look difficult but somehow managed to reach station on time. But, only to know that I am the first one to reach there. We, seven people RSVPed for this trek, but at 8 O'clock on railway station only 5 people Me , Aleem(our leader), Satish, and two girls Mallika and Anna were there and two others were stuck in traffic and it seemed almost impossible that they would make it on time. But, then we realized we were going to travel by indian railway and so there is still a hope. Anything could happen and thanks to trains regularity in running late, they (Manish and Shravani) were able to reach before the train started.Train journey was normal, Mallika and Anna took upper berths and slept right after the train left and we others had intro, normal chat and time pass playing cards.
Next day morning we reached the Venkatagiri station. Railway station is around 3-4 km from the Venkatagiri village and we had to take auto to reach to village near bus stop. There we had our breakfast. There is no water available on the complete trek. so we were told to carry around 6 liters of water (sufficient for 2 full days). We asked some local people about the place from where we should start, but no one seemed to have much knowledge about the place and different people pointed to different locations.That created lots of confusion.
We hired auto to the reach near the hill which is around 30 Minutes from the village. Auto dropped us around 1 or 2 km before the place where we actually had to start from .We were on wrong path right from the beginning and we even didn't know about it. We just did not doubt autowala and started walking towards the Venkatagiri hill which was clearly visible on horizon, standing tall, mesmerizing and ruthless.
From our research we knew that the hill is around 7 km from the place where auto will drop us. Soon, after we stared we were welcomed by a beautiful water stream passing along our way, with water in it's purest form. It was fun walking in the not so much dense jungle and talking and getting to know each other, walking in the flowing water. First we all were careful and trying really hard that our shoes don't get wet but after some time all understood that it is not possible and started walking in the water.
We had GPC device with us but no clear point where we have to reach. We were walking at the speed of around 3 km pr hour but after around 3 hours of walk, base still looked far and was not getting any nearer.
We were almost walking in curve maintaining same distance from the hill. Our doubt now converted to surety that we are on the wrong trail. So, we decided to take rest for some time while we decide next course of action.
At this critical time we saw some villagers there and they confirmed that we had lost our way and suggested that we should return the same way, reach the original starting point and from there reach to base point.
Imagine the situation, we could see the mountain in front of us just 2 or 3 km away and we were suggested to go 7 +7 km round to reach that place. That would have been the premature end of trek. It was not at all accepted by us. Between us and the mountain base all we could see was the dense forest. Villagers warned us that we won't be able to get through that. But we were determined that having lot of experience and being ready to get scratches and bruises, it should not be difficult.
Without any visible trail, we entered the dense forest which was full of thorny bushes. And there we were again welcomed by a water stream, bigger this time. One thing which was very pleasant to see here was, in all the streams water was pretty crystal clear and flowing. Even if that stream was around 3 feet deep, we could totally see the bottom of the river. We got a few clicks here.
We continued after that and it didn't take much time for us to realize what those villagers were talking about this option of getting into this forest. It was full of thrones and absolutely no trails. We were getting many scratches on our hands and had to be very careful about it. But, we were out of options here and had to keep on walking to reach the base.
Ultimately we could not walk straight towards the hill and we had to keep changing our directions. It was impossible to move straight because of bushes. Here also we were caught in the same situation as before, we were walking here and there but were not getting any near to the hill. We ate our packed lunch meanwhile.
It was becoming very difficult for to move ahead. Sometimes we had to bend down and walk or had to break many branches to make our way from right inside the bush.
Till around 3.30 we continued our exploration in this way. Now, we had to take decision about to move back or to continue. If we decide to continue and don't reach anywhere in next one hour then we can't even reach out of the bush before it gets dark and there was no way we could have dared to stay in those bushes in the night, even though we had tents with us.
Our leader wanted to continue which was obvious because nobody wants to come that far to achieve nothing. Only option no left was to go back to village, spend night there and start afresh next day. But, our train was at 6 PM next day, so it was impossible to complete our trek in given time frame of next day.
We had no other option and decided to go back to village and to do whatever little exploration e could do next day. All were disappointed that we had to abandon the trek without even reaching to the starting point of our trek. With help of GPS track back option we could come back to the point where we entered to the dense bushes very fast.
We were about to start back from that point to the village and again some villagers appeared. We talked to them and they gave us some rays of hope. They showed us a trail and told us that if we follow the trail we will reach to a waterfall and a Shiva temple is near to that. Which could be a decent place for night stay. We were happy that our plan will not go entirely waste. It was around 6 km from that place. We had walked entire day and were very tired. But, after full day's frustration as we were getting to somewhere we continued enthusiastically.
It turned out to be a one of the most beautiful paths I have walked along. This path was going along the same big stream which we had crossed earlier. Beautiful white stones, amazingly clear water and lush green vegetation around won my heart.
By the time we reached the temple, it was already dark. We quickly checked out the waterfall nearby. It was a nice around 20 feet flowing waterfall. The place around was little dirty because many people come to visit here and no one to take care of the place. We had our packed dinner, had little chat. All were very exhausted and quickly went to sleep inside the temple.
Next day we got up early. As we had dropped the plan of going for Venkatagiri, we decided to explore the area nearby the waterfall. One of our group member was sick so she and more girl stayed back at camp and rest of the members started climbing the hill behind the temple. It was a steep hike of around 30 - 40 minutes before you get to the top.
We planned to reach near the top of the waterfall. It was all mesmerizing. The forest up there was beautiful like some rain forest. It looked like very ancient forest and nobody has ever come here, out of human any intervention. Mother nature at it's purest form. After getting down a bit on the other side of the hill, we reached to the water stream again which was becoming our gorgeous waterfall going further.
For me it was the best part of the trek.
We reached to the top of waterfall. There water stream has made such cuts in stones that it has became like a water ride. But, at the end of it there was a drop of 40 feet. so, somehow controlled my self to not to go for that ride. Then we got down and again enjoyed in water passing by and had some fish pedicure in the water.
There we met a group of around 10 people. they live in different cities now and are from near by village. This group of friends make sure to get to gather at this place once in a year. Al tough all they do here is to drink and sleep. But, still hats off to their commitment and friendship of this many years.
Our trains back to Hyderabad was at 5.30 PM. These people told us that they will drop us till half way in their tractor. So, we did not hurry and waited for the tractor.
And now real fun starts. They left us just after 2 km from the place of stay and around 12 km away from our destination - main road. We were running out of time, it was around 1 by that time and we had to catch auto and go to Venkatagiri which takes another half an hour. We tried to convince them but it's impossible to talk and explain to drunk people. We then decided to start back by walk as that was the only option left. In our group we were tired and one of us was sick. But, still we had to read back on time. Everyone started walking at very good pace, almost running. That would always remain my fastest trek done ever. We were at main road by 4 something and managed to reach station on time.
Thanks to punctuality of Indian railway in being late, we got some time to kill our hunger. We were all hungry to the core after Saturday's breakfast we did not take any proper food. There we got ultimately delicious dosas and other snack item at surprisingly very cheap rate. Don't know they really so tasty or because of our hunger we felt like that but it any ways we enjoyed them.
We took very few photos in the trek and whatever were taken were not shared in group. So, never got them
Finally we got train and reached back to Hyderabad safely with regret of not conquering the actual hill. So, i went back there again and climbed till the top. Story of that adventurous trip is coming next. So, stay tuned and subscribe to this blog.
Train was scheduled to leave at 8, but in Hyderabad traffic reaching Gachibowli to Secunderabad and that too through public transport made it look difficult but somehow managed to reach station on time. But, only to know that I am the first one to reach there. We, seven people RSVPed for this trek, but at 8 O'clock on railway station only 5 people Me , Aleem(our leader), Satish, and two girls Mallika and Anna were there and two others were stuck in traffic and it seemed almost impossible that they would make it on time. But, then we realized we were going to travel by indian railway and so there is still a hope. Anything could happen and thanks to trains regularity in running late, they (Manish and Shravani) were able to reach before the train started.Train journey was normal, Mallika and Anna took upper berths and slept right after the train left and we others had intro, normal chat and time pass playing cards.
Next day morning we reached the Venkatagiri station. Railway station is around 3-4 km from the Venkatagiri village and we had to take auto to reach to village near bus stop. There we had our breakfast. There is no water available on the complete trek. so we were told to carry around 6 liters of water (sufficient for 2 full days). We asked some local people about the place from where we should start, but no one seemed to have much knowledge about the place and different people pointed to different locations.That created lots of confusion.
We hired auto to the reach near the hill which is around 30 Minutes from the village. Auto dropped us around 1 or 2 km before the place where we actually had to start from .We were on wrong path right from the beginning and we even didn't know about it. We just did not doubt autowala and started walking towards the Venkatagiri hill which was clearly visible on horizon, standing tall, mesmerizing and ruthless.
From our research we knew that the hill is around 7 km from the place where auto will drop us. Soon, after we stared we were welcomed by a beautiful water stream passing along our way, with water in it's purest form. It was fun walking in the not so much dense jungle and talking and getting to know each other, walking in the flowing water. First we all were careful and trying really hard that our shoes don't get wet but after some time all understood that it is not possible and started walking in the water.
We had GPC device with us but no clear point where we have to reach. We were walking at the speed of around 3 km pr hour but after around 3 hours of walk, base still looked far and was not getting any nearer.
We were almost walking in curve maintaining same distance from the hill. Our doubt now converted to surety that we are on the wrong trail. So, we decided to take rest for some time while we decide next course of action.
At this critical time we saw some villagers there and they confirmed that we had lost our way and suggested that we should return the same way, reach the original starting point and from there reach to base point.
Imagine the situation, we could see the mountain in front of us just 2 or 3 km away and we were suggested to go 7 +7 km round to reach that place. That would have been the premature end of trek. It was not at all accepted by us. Between us and the mountain base all we could see was the dense forest. Villagers warned us that we won't be able to get through that. But we were determined that having lot of experience and being ready to get scratches and bruises, it should not be difficult.
Without any visible trail, we entered the dense forest which was full of thorny bushes. And there we were again welcomed by a water stream, bigger this time. One thing which was very pleasant to see here was, in all the streams water was pretty crystal clear and flowing. Even if that stream was around 3 feet deep, we could totally see the bottom of the river. We got a few clicks here.
We continued after that and it didn't take much time for us to realize what those villagers were talking about this option of getting into this forest. It was full of thrones and absolutely no trails. We were getting many scratches on our hands and had to be very careful about it. But, we were out of options here and had to keep on walking to reach the base.
Ultimately we could not walk straight towards the hill and we had to keep changing our directions. It was impossible to move straight because of bushes. Here also we were caught in the same situation as before, we were walking here and there but were not getting any near to the hill. We ate our packed lunch meanwhile.
It was becoming very difficult for to move ahead. Sometimes we had to bend down and walk or had to break many branches to make our way from right inside the bush.
Till around 3.30 we continued our exploration in this way. Now, we had to take decision about to move back or to continue. If we decide to continue and don't reach anywhere in next one hour then we can't even reach out of the bush before it gets dark and there was no way we could have dared to stay in those bushes in the night, even though we had tents with us.
Our leader wanted to continue which was obvious because nobody wants to come that far to achieve nothing. Only option no left was to go back to village, spend night there and start afresh next day. But, our train was at 6 PM next day, so it was impossible to complete our trek in given time frame of next day.
We had no other option and decided to go back to village and to do whatever little exploration e could do next day. All were disappointed that we had to abandon the trek without even reaching to the starting point of our trek. With help of GPS track back option we could come back to the point where we entered to the dense bushes very fast.
We were about to start back from that point to the village and again some villagers appeared. We talked to them and they gave us some rays of hope. They showed us a trail and told us that if we follow the trail we will reach to a waterfall and a Shiva temple is near to that. Which could be a decent place for night stay. We were happy that our plan will not go entirely waste. It was around 6 km from that place. We had walked entire day and were very tired. But, after full day's frustration as we were getting to somewhere we continued enthusiastically.
It turned out to be a one of the most beautiful paths I have walked along. This path was going along the same big stream which we had crossed earlier. Beautiful white stones, amazingly clear water and lush green vegetation around won my heart.
By the time we reached the temple, it was already dark. We quickly checked out the waterfall nearby. It was a nice around 20 feet flowing waterfall. The place around was little dirty because many people come to visit here and no one to take care of the place. We had our packed dinner, had little chat. All were very exhausted and quickly went to sleep inside the temple.
Next day we got up early. As we had dropped the plan of going for Venkatagiri, we decided to explore the area nearby the waterfall. One of our group member was sick so she and more girl stayed back at camp and rest of the members started climbing the hill behind the temple. It was a steep hike of around 30 - 40 minutes before you get to the top.
We planned to reach near the top of the waterfall. It was all mesmerizing. The forest up there was beautiful like some rain forest. It looked like very ancient forest and nobody has ever come here, out of human any intervention. Mother nature at it's purest form. After getting down a bit on the other side of the hill, we reached to the water stream again which was becoming our gorgeous waterfall going further.
For me it was the best part of the trek.
We reached to the top of waterfall. There water stream has made such cuts in stones that it has became like a water ride. But, at the end of it there was a drop of 40 feet. so, somehow controlled my self to not to go for that ride. Then we got down and again enjoyed in water passing by and had some fish pedicure in the water.
There we met a group of around 10 people. they live in different cities now and are from near by village. This group of friends make sure to get to gather at this place once in a year. Al tough all they do here is to drink and sleep. But, still hats off to their commitment and friendship of this many years.
Our trains back to Hyderabad was at 5.30 PM. These people told us that they will drop us till half way in their tractor. So, we did not hurry and waited for the tractor.
And now real fun starts. They left us just after 2 km from the place of stay and around 12 km away from our destination - main road. We were running out of time, it was around 1 by that time and we had to catch auto and go to Venkatagiri which takes another half an hour. We tried to convince them but it's impossible to talk and explain to drunk people. We then decided to start back by walk as that was the only option left. In our group we were tired and one of us was sick. But, still we had to read back on time. Everyone started walking at very good pace, almost running. That would always remain my fastest trek done ever. We were at main road by 4 something and managed to reach station on time.
Thanks to punctuality of Indian railway in being late, we got some time to kill our hunger. We were all hungry to the core after Saturday's breakfast we did not take any proper food. There we got ultimately delicious dosas and other snack item at surprisingly very cheap rate. Don't know they really so tasty or because of our hunger we felt like that but it any ways we enjoyed them.
We took very few photos in the trek and whatever were taken were not shared in group. So, never got them
Finally we got train and reached back to Hyderabad safely with regret of not conquering the actual hill. So, i went back there again and climbed till the top. Story of that adventurous trip is coming next. So, stay tuned and subscribe to this blog.
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