18th Oct:

As planned earlier to leave Bangalore in early morning , Karthik picked up Jagaadish & headed for R.T.Nagar to pick me up, then went to Cox town to pick Madhu(Kutty) and Prasanna. And our last pick up guy was Vasu in Indranagar. Picked Vasu and the headed for Muthatti. On the way other gang(Madhu,Prabhu, Sharvana, Saket,Aloke,Natraj & Rajesh) was waiting for us near Banasankari on Kanakpura road. Stopped near Sri Ravi Shanker ashram for breakfast, had idli vada, dosa …etc. As we have not got the permission from forest dept. we need to collect it from forest range office in Kanakapura, for camping in the forest area. It took some 15-20mins to get the permission, and headed for our destination.

You have to go straight on NH209 till Satharur and take left turn for Muthatti which is about 20+ KM from the highway. Reached Muthatti forest guest house at around 11am. Got the forest guest house room key and dumped all our luggage. As we have almost half a day left with us we thought to do a small trek near by hills. Everybody got ready with their gears – camera ,hat..etc and ready for trekking. Local guide was heading the group and Karthik was telling all about the birds found in Muthatti forest. As we were half way up the hill, it started raining….kept camera inside waterproof cover and stayed under the trees. The rain was playing hide an seek….raining sometime and stops……once again starts suddenly!!. The view from the hill was beautiful….We reached the top of one hill and decide to stop & had lunch there.

Guide told us that one more view point is near by only, so decide to head for it. Once we reached there the view was awesome!!!…. everybody were excited and tired also.. but we wanted to go to one more hill top, form where the view is excellent . You can have a whole picture of the kaveri river flowing through the hills. Once we reached the spot, it was worth it for that pain to climb up to top. We spotted 2 lungur (long tailed monkeys) near the top. After mesmerized with view from top for half-hour, we decide to climb down and head for Kaveri river for a kool bath in cold water.

As we were climbing down the hill, me, madhu, Karthik and guide in front heard sounds breaking branches in near by bushes. We got alerted and look for any thing visible from where the sound is coming. Initially we couldn’t see or make out whats there in the bushes, we walked carefully without making any noise, so if there was anything it can’t notice us. Suddenly the guide spotted the herd of Elephant …tusker ,baby elephant!! around 9-10 elephant, everybody got excited as always as were afraid !!! ….as the bushes were thick we couldn’t get a clear view of the herd. I climbed up a tree to get a clear view of the heard and everybody were anxiously waiting down to get a glimpse of the herd. As we were looking at the herd hiding behind the bushes, could make out they were heading towards us , every body run for their life downhill……..i jumped from the tree …make effort not to disturb the herd…and run uphill with karthik. Now we were divided in two groups, me & karthik uphill and rest of the groups downhill. It just scared the shit out us, looking for bushes and tree to hide behind. Still wanted to get a clear view to get a snap of the herd. But couldn’t get a single shot!!!! luckily the herd moved back in opposite direction, and we run downhill ………all were waiting anxiously for both of us this was the first time in my life real encounter with with the wild animals. Man you never forget this moment!!!

After this encounter with the wild, we decide to take bath in kaveri river to kool our selves. We looked for a good place where the water current is less, guide spotted one place for us. Played with water for 45 mins and it was getting dark by then and it was time for us to head back to forest guest house. Around 7pm we started to cook for dinner, guide had arrange a big around 5kg fish for us. They prepared fish kebab and served it us near the bonfire. It taste of fish kebab was mouth watery, finished dinner and headed for bed to get early, catch a glimpse of sunrise.

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Route: Bangalore-57kms-Kanakapura-16kms-Satharur-23kms-Muthatti

Distance : 96 KM

First experience with Rock climbing & Repelling. On friday night at around 9:30pm started from yesvantpur….picking up all members from different part of bangalore. By 12:30 we were on our way for chitradurga. Chitradurga is around 200+ kms from Bangalore, district is hilly, with lots of forts and villages.

Reached Chitradurga by 6am in the morning, fresher n up at ashram.Then headed towards Jogamatti, our camp site. There was briefing relating to rock climbing and repelling. we learned about various ways to knot ropes, various rock climbing gears etc..

As the local guide came to tell about the history about the cave temple “Chandravalli Caves”. we have to re-schedule our rock climbing and repelling.

The cave temple date back to world of Sadhu’s. Inside the cave there was place for doing Samadhi. Still the wall painting are there. This place was protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The cave is 60 feet deep, have many secret doors to come out. At the deepest point it is pitch dark, now it is occupied by bats.

After coming out of the cave. We started rock climbing .

we learned the basic of rock climbing, identifying which place hold, how to grip etc……

At around 2pm headed to base camp for lunch. Lunch was arrange from local mess. Rested there for around 1 hour. Once agained filled the emptied bottle and headed for repelling. All the arrangement was made during that resting period. And we are ready for repelling.

It was really a thrilling experience for all of us. I got a chance to do it twice. …..got lucky!!!!!!!

School children taking autograph from Shubhashish…..

Then we headed for cave exploration…

By evening we headed night camp site near forest guest house. We pitched our tents, cooked food for dinner….Next morning went to near water fall …played with the water….till lunch time. Once we finished our lunch we walked to the forest zoo….which around 2Km from the water fall. After visiting zoo we started our return journey towards Bangalore, stopped near Tumkur  for some snacks and back in Bangalore by 9:30.

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]]> http://bishunaik.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/rock-climbing-reppeling/feed/ 0 bishunaik briefing Cave Temple climbing rock starting point going down hanging At the top School children cave inside cave http://bishunaik.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/bike-trip-to-makalidurga-and-lepakshi-temple/ http://bishunaik.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/bike-trip-to-makalidurga-and-lepakshi-temple/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:32:33 +0000 bishunaik http://bishunaik.wordpress.com/?p=35 ]]>

Saturday night just getting bored and suddenly planned for a short trip to near by place. I have always like the hills from the train of Makalidurga. So we decide to go to Makalidurga hill. Search in net got more info on Makalidurga hills, people used to go there for rock climbing and repelling. Its about 60 km from Bangalore. Got the route information in maps.yahoo.com. planned to leave Bangalore by early morning.

We started from Bangalore at 6:30am in the morning. Catched NH7 travlled for 7km and took left turn for Yelahanka on SH9. At IOC petrol pump filled the tank of the Bull-our Bullet. The road condition was good….riding in the morning with chill wind blowing. After 30 KM, just before Dodabalapur we stopped for breakfast. we refreshed ourself and once again started for our destination. By 8:00 am we were near Makalidurga railways station, there we asked local people for Makalidurga fort. From Makalidurga railway station we had to go ahead for another 2km, after that took left turn for mud road till the railways track. There were no place else to park the vehicle, had to park there on the road.

MakaliDurga Hill

Bull parked near the railway Track

Now we started trekking for Makalidurga fort. Makalidurga fort was a top of 1350 mts hight. We crossed the railway track. There is a small temple near the base. From the left side we started climbing up, on the way we found trek marked by other group who had earlier climbed the hill. we followed the trails and reach near the top.

Lake

There is Makalidurga temple at top surround by the fort.

MakaliDurga fort

Makalidurga village was visible from the top,its on the other side fo the hill. We enjoyed the cool breeze passing through the hill, walked all along the fort.

MakaliDurga Temple

After resting for 20 mins we planned to go down. Now the sun was beating hard at us, taking selter for sometimes under the small trees. we climbed down by 10:30 am. Rested on the railway track, had some snacks.

It was only 11am,so we thought to visit Lepakshi temple. Once decide we headed for Hindupur, it was around 50km from Makalidurga hills. From another 15km the road are little bit bad condition till Hindupur. Around 1:45 pm we raeched at Hindupur, took left turn for Lepakshi Temple, it was around 15km from Hindupur. Reached Lepakshi temple by 2:00pm, parked the bull near the temple.

Lepakshi Temple

Lepakshi temple date back to the 16th century,where three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Virabhadra are to be found. Lord Virabhadra is the wrathful form of Shiva, the patron deity of the Nayak rulers.

Nandi facing Lepakshi Temple

Started raining heavily while we were in the temple.

Still it was raining, it was getting late. Put our rain gear and We started for Bangalore by 4pm. This time we decide to take the NH7 raod. From Lepakshi village NH7 was 18km. just near to NH7 bull gave up, couldn’t find what happened, pushed the bull till NH7 in hope of finding some mechnic, to our surprise there were no mechnic. After enquiry came to know that we can find mechnic Begapalli, which was around 10 km from the place. Manas stayed with the bull, i took the bus for Begapalli. There enquiring a vehicle parts dealer got hold of one guy who deals with bull repair work. He came with his bike, but couldn’t take his bike as it was raining so finally had to take a cab that made a big hole in my pocket…after bargain arranged it for Rs.250 till Checkpost. Once the mechnic had a look and found out that the sholdering was broken. We had to make it direct and took the bull to his garage and made the sholdering.

Around 6pm we left Begapalli for Bangalore, around 100km from here. We are feel very much hungry, because we had not taken lunch…so planned to reach Bangalore as soon as possible. The road was good at most of the place, some places work is going for 4 lane. Reached Devanahalli, planned to go to Bangalore International Airport, night time it was glittering with lights. Once again we were back in highway and stop near Swati Gardenei for dinner.

Back in home by 11pm.

More Photo: Makalidurga & Lepakshi Temple

It was my second trek and first trek with BMC(Bangalore Mountaineering Club). We started from Bangalore on Friday 14th sept. around 10:45pm by bus. At midnight we stopped for dinner on Bangalore-Mysore State highway.

Once left the highway for Hunsur the ride was little bit bumpy, could not sleep at all. We reached Srimangala , our lodging place by 5 am in the morning. Its was beautifully view of the hills in the morning .

Saturday day one, we planned to make a short trek to near by hill in Srimangala and then will go to Irpu water fall. After having our breakfast, we went for a short trek near by hill.

Once we finished our lunch, we had for Irpu fall, was 10km for the lodge. Like a child when we saw water………got ready with our swim suits and jumped in, water was chill………

We returned back to our base-camp by eventing, At the basecamp they arranged for bonefire , played Antaksari and danced to Bollywood tunes.

Sunday, After breakfast …….all of us were geared up for the real task ……..trek to Brahmagiri. we reached Irpu fall by 9:30am. As to enter into the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, you need to be escorted by a forest guard(our guide for the trek). we started trekking for brahmagiri. As we entered the forest area we are greeted by leeches. Around 3 to 4 km stretch was full with leeches, could not enjoy the scenic beauty, most of the time busy removing leeches form our shoes.

Once we cross this stretch ……..we were in green grass covering all the hills……..its just looks awesome. “Welcome to heaven ” any where you look……….greenery……..and greenery.

we spotted some wild animals, but before i could capture dome photos with my camera …….run away seeing humans entering there area. Most of the trek was easy not much difficult for second timer trek. Only the last part of the trek was steep and taken real energy to climb to the top.

we reached at the top by 2:30 pm. Clouds are passing by……..sudden drop in temperature…..little bit rain……….poring down. We stayed there for an hour …….enjoying the beautiful scenery of western ghat.

It took less time to get down……..back at irpu fall…….had a chilled bath. Then had for Bangalore …………………..

More photos……………………

Savandurga is a hill 60 km west of Bangalore. We started at around 9:20 a.m from Bangalore. The Magdi road from Bangalore is very busy road so we took the Mysore SH17 till Ramanagar, then taken right turn for Magdi road. This road was in good shape, ride was smooth and the view & weather was very pleasant. After half an hour drive towards Magdi, took right turn for Savandurga hill. Arrived at Savandurga hill at 11:50 a.m.

Took Coconut water and some snacks at Davandurg. At 12 pm we were at the foot Savandurga hills,

started climbing the hill with lot of energy & enthusiasm. Hardly we have covered 100mts we could feel the punch in our body.

Climbing at noon is really a bad idea, but once were their, there was no turning back. Be careful about the water coming from the top of the hill, makes the surface slippery.

The toughest part was next 100mts which was very steep. Sun was biting hard on us. The rest climbing was good till 50mts from top of the hill. The last stage was really great, passing through gates of rocks

At the top a temple

Top view of the temple at foot hill of Savandurga

me at the top of the hill

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