A trek to KoDchadri peak - Jan 26/27 07 : Part 1

Kodachadri. Don’t ask me what that means. I cared as much to know what it meant as I did to know where it is. Before departure, I mean. Now I can give details on request. Such was the pining to go ‘anywhere’, that no sooner did a guy drop out from the trek team, I jumped in. Despite my dozen odd last minute ditches on prior invitations, Mithun (trek ‘lead’) was kind enough to call me for this one. All this, a day before the trek.

A few facts that I garnered about the peak (along the way):

1. The 4^th highest peak in Karnataka (at about 1350m above MSL).
2. A hundred odd km north-north east of Kundapur and a hundred odd km west of Shimoga. Hardly a fact, I know. But for a guy who thought it was a couple of hours ride from Bangalore, this fact was an eye-opener.
3. And needless to say, B E A UTIFULLLL…

This was apparently my second ‘official’ trek expedition. First one was way back in March 2006 to a peak somewhere in Coorg district, close to Honey Valley. A risible trek that one was, compared to this back breaking, pant tearing (literally, what with all those thorny shrubs on the way) one.

DAY 0:

To make sure that we do not end up expecting some junket to heaven with 5-star treatment, we were treated to some ‘Swades general compartment’ level 400 kms overnight bus journey to Kundapur. Surprisingly I managed to sleep through most part of the tumultuous ride (Bangalore-Mangalore NH has gone to dogs).

DAY 1:

After a sumptuous breakfast at Kundapur, we set out to Kollur (of the Mookambika fame). From Kollur its all the way UP, to the destination (approx 800m ascent). After a game of frisbie (by the way, we were seven trekkers) and an hour’s wait at Kollur bus stand, with the peak in the distant background, our final leg of ‘6 wheeled’ ride (for the next 24 hours) took us to Nittur. A bumpy jeep ride from here to a village that had ‘a hut and sugarcane fields around’,

left us at our starting point.

Destination #1: HiDlumane falls

A refreshing bath before the climb to the peak and lunch were planned here. But Mithun had decided that we fight for and win each of these small pleasures. With ~15kgs of whatever -we -needed -and -whatever -we -could -fill -in -the -rucksack load on the shoulders, we started our steep ascent, amidst slippery boulders, to the cascade. An hour’s climb and we were at the base of the falls. A war well fought that one.

Standing naked (almost) under the cascade’s cold, pricking needle-like droplets.. aah.. be there to feel it! Heavenly the experience was! We wished we could stay on for ever. But the peak beckoned. Any place we ate, we hogged. I wont repeat it again. With full tummies, we started our descent to the village with a hut and sugarcane fields around.

Destination #2 : Inspection Bungalow, below KoDachadri peak.

Again from the village with a hut and blah blah blah we started the climb, in a different direction this time. Climb. Rest. Climb. Rest. Cimb. Rest. The travail continued through dense shrubs, open grasslands and a sultry afternoon until we reached the IB before sunset, as planned.

Destination #3: The peak.

Almost all souls were badly battered by now. So close yet so far wouldn’t be a nice thing to go back and tell office mates. One final climb and the peak would be captured. But rest would come only at a premium this time. We were racing against time; treating ourselves to a pleasant sun set at the peak was the ultimate goal. And we did it! Breathtaking, marvelous, splendid. Oh boy! Were we lucky or what! Just the right setting to forget anything and everything that has troubled you through the day. Just the right setting to sit, hand in hand, with your girl friend, and discuss, what next. For the seven male trekkers at the peak, what next was not a problem. A mundane climb down to the bungalow, cooking, and sleeping is all we had to settle for. Hmmm. So much for romance on the hill top.

Much to the consternation of fellow trekking groups (from Philips and NI), we cooked our own dinner and relished it.. Rice, MTR ready to eat veg curries, pickle.. we had them all.

And then, a perfect ending to a not so perfect day: Sleep under a blanket of stars with natural air conditioning. More pleasing was the fact that the rug that I carried and cursed myself for carrying along was more than useful that night.