First Solo Trek

Written on 10th August 2015

First solo trek.

This was an unplanned event. Planned but not planned.

Kalavantin durg was the planned one but unavailability of partners and commitment with them about that trek was an issue. Also I wanted to try something with offbeat partners.

Not that I hate people I go with, it's just that the priorities and reasons I go to the mountains are very different from their reasons. Again that doesn’t mean that I am better than them or they are not so good. Its just the things they do on a trek do not fit in things I want to do.

For instance I do like photography, but I don’t click photos for preserving memories. Yes, photographs can be good memories but people have to start preserving something in their memories too.

So stopping every now and then if there is something photographic is not a problem or an issue but stopping every now and then to click your own photo with the subject is a big turn off for me.

So I asked my trek guru for the Neral - Peb -Neral trek route, which was supposed to be a long trek. I asked him whether it was safe enough for me to do it solo( just out of curiosity and enthusiasm ). He strictly said no and gave me this another trek near murbad, which was safe and easy and pleasant.  

I asked around people who I thought would make a difference in my trekking experience ( Yes I was being selfish ). After lots of pleading and lots of convincing, people politely refused me. I felt bad yes. I felt lonely, yes.  I even cancelled the plan out of rage and sadness, but then the people who “politely” refused me were the ones who got me out of my rage and sadness and motivated me to keep up the plan. Somewhere the “Show must go On” enthusiasm took over me and I decided to go. ( Note for the “people” involved - I know it was a lots of emotional drama. I am sorry if I hurt anyone and am really really thankful for your efforts and precious time ).

Ok, then…

Motivation - Checked

Enthusiasm - Checked

Willingness - Checked

Lie to parents - Checked ( Of Course they didn’t knew that I was going solo ).

I was feeling lonely though when I started my ride. But then I gave it up for the beautiful morning and the green roads. I started singing songs( Pretty much loudly ). I reached the town from where I was to take the village route. I felt damn hungry, but I didn’t want to stuff myself. So I agreed on junk snack. I didn’t enjoy it. I tried to hurry through it. It’s weird to have junk food alone on a stall.

After eating I again started my ride towards the base village. It was a long ride. A man going towards the same village asked for a lift and I agreed. I reached the village. Parked the bike at a safe spot under a shed. Took a kid along to guide me towards the start of the trail. Reached the trail and started the trek( Yes, solo ). I couldn’t see the mountain where I was supposed to go because of fog and rains, but I decided to stick to the most prominent trail whenever I came through a diversion or multiple routes. I used my instincts( not my skills as I don't have any yet ) and my amateur internet blog research. Yes I was a bit paranoid and bit extra careful, I was surrounded by a jungle after all. I am scared of snakes as I don’t know enough about their behavior. Trail was fairly simple, it comprised of a few ascends and a few straight walks and monkeys. Ascend towards the end was a bit steep. It took a test of my not so good stamina and endurance. As happened on a couple of treks before I felt nauseous. I took a rest for quite a while. Started again when I felt better. Now I could see my destination and I was again enthusiastic. I went ahead with excitement and guess what it was just 5 mins from where I was. I said to myself, Yes it’s all worth it.

I realized that I am alone up there, It was a feeling I had never had in my entire life. There was a jungle under me and there wasn’t anyone ahead of me in kilometers(I could see the trail, there was no one on it).

I spent some time up there, clicked a few photos. Had some snack, then I saw a few people coming up on the trail. I still had some time all by myself there. I decided to start my descent as soon as they reach up.

I started the descent as soon as they got up. I took the same trail downwards. Was extra careful as it was slippery and as there was no one with me. Went a bit off trail but i realized it soon and found the correct route quickly.  I looked back towards the mountain when I had descended quite a bit and saw that the fog had lifted, clicked a few pictures, made a mental note of the confusing trails and headed towards the base village.

I reached the parking spot, spoke to a villager who was friendly to me in the morning and started my ride back.

Note: Going alone for me was more of not finding company at the last moment. I was guided well about the route and the trek. Wilderness is a vast unknown, which is to be respected and cared. Remember- We are the visitors there. Don't overdo the welcome!