A Rocky Door

Sharath, Gaurav and I took Indrayani Express to Lonavala from Kalyan. Gaurav had got in from Thane, Train was a little late. Sagar had already reached Lonavala from Pune. Train slowly moved towards Karjat. With lots of halts and breaks we reached Lonavala a little late. We decided to get Rickshaw till base village Kurwande as it was already late and we had a long trek ahead in Summer heat.

So my first trek of this summer. Sweat started pouring out of my body before we hit the ascend to get on the Duke’s nose. I had come here 2 years ago, when I descended to Chavani via. Sawardand route. So half the route was already known to me. We reached Duke’s nose top in about 50 minutes. Sun was already melting the wax within us. It got me a little concerned about the way ahead.

A small group of climbers was setting ropes to climb the Duke’s nose wall. Some were at the base of the giant nose. A couple of tents were put up there. We left there soon after seeing all the ranges that can be seen. I felt outdated, got a kick to up my game a bit. Enough of giving reasons and excuses. It was time to start to Go There. Enough being caught up in work. I did travel a lot last year, not that I was home, but I wouldn’t really call that travelling as “outdoors”. Even though I was on “Outdoor Duty” officially, I wasn’t feeling being outdoors. In that, four months were spent in guest house in Bangalore. Office being just around the corner and workload being kind of heavy and too much I gained about 10 Kgs weight. Later I also travelled to Leh, Arunachal, Deolali, Mussoorie, Delhi all for work and literally outdoors, I was on duty and on Job. I know it was a hell of a time spent in Himalayas and snow clad mountains, etc. Even in Sahyadris on Patta fort and Nandi hills in Bangalore. Something felt amiss though. Something inside me was put to sleep.

Anyways, now as  I am awake, and not dreaming may be. Now it's time to get off my ass and do it my way. After weekends of one day treks and daily cardio I felt that I am finally ready for it. Team was ready, Sagar was gonna join again after a long time. Sagar  and I somehow find ourselves trekking together in Summer, amidst dust and Sun, Sharath was already in the plan given by Guru, Gaurav Pednekar was with me for the first time.

So we descended Duke’s nose and started walking along the path between the crestline and the INS Shivaji’s compound. Taking breaks in shadows and walking at constant pace we reached the water pond, this huge water pond is the source of drinking water for people living in Ambenali village. We refilled our bottles and water bladders and started walking towards Ambenali Village. There was a house on right side of the trail, it seemed empty. An uncle was coming towards us with a vessel to fill water. I confirmed that we were on the right way and kept moving ahead.

After walking a while there is a small descend to a lower plateau. From here to our right we could see two electricity poles. Last time I had descended down through Savardand Ghat which starts from near the last pole. This time we were looking for a route which goes leftwards i.e. eastwards to a hill dividing the villages of Falyan and Chavani. Soon a trail sprouted from our main trail and went towards left. This trail was not much prominent, keeping it in mind we continued southwards and after going ahead for 5-10 mins we understood that we have come further south than we were supposed to be. We had to take the faint trail which went eastwards afterall. Instead of wasting any more time, a place under a tree was sought and the lunch commenced. Bread, Jam , Butter, Idli, Special South Indian Chutney in coconut oil, egg, was in the menu. Everybody had their stomachs full after the long sunny walk. Potassium levels were regained and hydration levels were shot up.

Soon we caught up with the route which goes towards Falyan. It descended in a jungle area where the trail became very faint and we were confused if we were on the right way. The question was kept to rest when we re reached a lower plateau from where  steep trail went to meet the huge water stream. From here I could see Shedanga hill across a ravine. Falyan village was seen in the valley alongside beyond a jungle which looked green in the Sun. Beyond Shedanga, Moradi pinnacle could be seen. The was a mango tree on this plateau where we took one more buttermilk rest.

Sharath had been trekking barefoot till now. He had been pricked with thorns already, Sun had not helped either. Spectating the rocky patch ahead to be hurtful, because of the aggravating heat and exposure, he decided to get the shoes on, not to affect our speed. Kudos for your dedication mate!

The patch was not much difficult but the afternoon sun made it difficult. I had to take support of my hand and it was difficult to touch the heated rock for a longer time. I think that's why the route's name is Kothaldaara. Kothal for rocky and daara for door. After the rocks came the scree. When it was over we sat under the shade of long rocks.

We begin our descend again and walked on a prominent trail going downwards to the stream. We kept the water stream to our left and walked towards Falyan. Beyond the water stream there was Mrugagad. Luckily we got a rickshaw from Falyan to Parali. Then Parli - Shilimb . Then Shilimb - Khopoli.